Canberra auctions: Buyers out in force despite long weekend

The end of the financial year and stamp duty concessions are motivating buyers, leading to a slew of strong results over the long weekend. First-home buyers and downsizers were the most active.

On Saturday, MARQ Property’s Matt Harmer sold the stylish four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 3 Beveridge Crescent, Forde, under the hammer for $1.166 million.

Harmer said two bidders were vying for the property, which attracted an opening bid of $1.1 million before being sold to a first-home buyer.

“The auction attracted a good crowd from both locals and potential buyers,” he said

Further down the street, the impressive five-bedroom home at number 51 was auctioned through MARQ Property but was passed in.

Several sales have taken place in the street in recent times, with the five-bedroom house at number 15 selling earlier in the year for $1.67 million, while a three-bedroom property at 30 Beveridge Crescent sold for $757,500.

Elsewhere on the day, Luton Properties founder Richard Luton said their agency recorded a 100 per cent clearance rate with all four of their properties selling on the day.

“Three of the sales involved first-home buyers, but we’re seeing more investors seeking to secure a property before the end of the financial year,” he said.

Shane Hughes of Luton Properties – Manuka sold the striking three-bedroom apartment in the celebrated Landmark development at 33/47 Blackall Street, Barton.

Hughes said the buyer was bidding remotely and paid just over $1.3 million for the property.

“There was significant interest from downsizers, but most needed to sell their current homes first. The successful buyer, however, was ready to move in,” he added.

The third-floor apartment is in the heart of the Parliamentary Triangle, known for its unique lakeside location.

The last sale in the tightly held building was a year ago when a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment sold for $835,000.

Also on Saturday, a first-home buyer snapped up the three-bedroom townhouse at 5 English Court, Swinger Hill, for $748,000. It was sold through Luton Properties – Tuggeranong’s Kelsey Tracey.

A wave of auctions during the week failed to attract buyers, but on Wednesday, the three-bedroom townhouse at 17 Epenarra Close, Hawker, sold for $690,000 through Ray White Canberra.

Auction clearance rates have been steady at just under 60 per cent over the past month, although they dipped to 57 per cent last week, down from 58 per cent the week before.