The wildest auction moments from Aussie bidders in 2023
/10 January 2024
The street theatre of an auction, coupled with the pressure to secure a dream home, can sometimes cause bidders to behave in ways that shock and surprise.
Running on instinct, Aussie bidders last year were brave and decisive in the face of competition.
These are the moments in 2023 when an Aussie bidder went above and beyond to win the keys – and got the job done.
Crestmead, Queensland
A buyer committed an unthinkable act – offering only $1 for a Queensland house during an Australian record-breaking auction that was packed with surprises.
Such a low-ball opening bid for 19 Billabong Drive in Crestmead would be outrageous at a run-of-the-mill auction, but this vandalised eyesore was listed without a reserve, meaning there was no lofty benchmark price to achieve and so bargain hunters were able to do what they do best. And he almost won the keys. Nothing about the campaign for the property and the subsequent action under the hammer, was average – and it seemed to the difference maker on the day. The derelict house fetched $494,700 in an auction that attracted 161 registered bidders, setting an Australian record. Never before has a property been so desirable despite appearances.
Hawthorne, Queensland
A buyer endured an epic one-hour auction, trading a string of multimillion-dollar bids, to win the keys for $5.85 million to a luxury Brisbane home that once was a cottage.
Few auctions go for anywhere near as long the one at 42 Stewart Street in Hawthorne, which packed out the street with curious onlookers and prestige-level buyers prepared to try their luck. Six bidders registered and three participated at the September 9 auction, pushing it to an unheard-of length. The five-bedroom residence, which started life as a 1911-built “cottage” named Lenore House, was revamped to include an outdoor entertaining pavilion with kitchen and pool and had just been completed by vendors Tegan and Tim Geary. Ray White Collective principal and listing agent Brandon Wortley described the street, in the city’s south east, by the river, as a “unicorn” location.
Randwick, New South Wales
A buyer made a late dash in the middle of a Sydney auction and still won the keys. In the theatre of street auctions, this rarely – if ever – happens. Mid-way through the rollicking auction of 4/18 Botany Street in Randwick, a fresh bidder registered after seeing the property just three minutes before it started.
She wasn’t part of proceedings when the auctioneer kicked it off, but still managed to secure the art deco gem for $1.37 million on October 14. “It is the first time it has happened to me,” experienced agent Roger Wardy, of Ray White Touma Group, tells Nine. He took her upstairs to register and quickly back down again, with the auction at $1.31 million. Eleven bidders registered for the chance to sign the sale contract but it was the late comer who scored the upper hand.
Manly, New South Wales
A family spent $6,025,000 to buy the property, just 200 metres from famous Manly Beach, which they first viewed 30 minutes before the auction. They attended the open for inspection for 32 Pacific Street in Sydney’s Manly, held right before the start. Four bidders competed for the four-bedroom property which has internal lift access, CCTV security and heated floors.
It achieved above its price guide of $5 million to $5.5 million, but a bidder attempted to low ball, trying to open the bidding at $3.1 million. The auctioneer graciously declined and the auction instead got officially underway with a $4.5 million start.
Selling agent Jesse Chester from Clarke & Humel Property said the location assisted in the transaction, being close to the beach, and architecturally designed.
