Canberra auctions: Canberra’s auction market sees hits and misses

First-home buyers were notably active in the auction market on Saturday, leading to some competitive bidding and strong sales.

Sarah Turnbull from Hive Property sold the three-bedroom house at 5 Doutney Place, Dunlop, under the hammer for $810,000.

Turnbull said the property drew four registered bidders on the day and an opening bid of $670,000 before selling to a first-home buyer.

Situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac on a 557-square-metre site, the well-presented house offers views of the Brindabellas and adjoins parkland. Accommodation includes formal and informal living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor dining area.

The demand for property in Dunlop is not surprising, as the suburb has been one of Canberra’s strong performers over the past year. According to Domain research, its median house price has increased by 4.8 per cent to $847,500 over the past 12 months. Units are also popular, recording an impressive 11.6 per cent annual increase to $720,000.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the three-bedroom house at 7 Kilduff Street in Watson was passed in on a vendor bid of $1.28 million.

Bastion Property’s Theo Koutsikamanis said the property had one registered bidder on the day, and negotiations were ongoing with that potential buyer.

Set on a low-maintenance site of 377 square metres, the stylishly presented two-storey residence sits at the foot of Mount Majura Nature Reserve and features a well-designed floor plan that flows into an expansive alfresco entertaining area.

Hayman Partners’ Anthony McCormack sold the three-bedroom house at 33 Beasley Street, Torrens, and the four-bedroom house at 5 Prescott Street, Farrer, under the hammer for undisclosed amounts.

The Torrens house is on a 767-square-metre block and is a well-located property within walking distance of local schools, Southlands Shopping Centre and Mount Taylor Nature Reserve and just a short drive from Woden Town Centre.

Strong results were recorded during the week as Canberra’s auction market continued to strengthen. Town Residential sold the four-bedroom house at 121 Miller Street, O’Connor, under the hammer for $1.28 million, while the four-bedder at 3 Perrott Street, Taylor, failed to sell and is for sale for more than $1.1 million.

McCann Properties’ Mark McCann sold the four-bedroom house at 10 Riddell Crescent, Wanniassa, for more than $800,000, while Blackshaw Manuka also had luck with the five-bedroom residence at 13 MacGregor Street, Deakin, selling for an undisclosed price.