The latest interest rate hike has not dampened buyer appetite, if the bumper turnout at one Preston home that went under the hammer on Saturday is anything to go by.
Meanwhile, the “hellish” dash to secure a rental rolls on, with panic about finding a home taking grip even among those on comfortable incomes with strong histories.
A crowd lines up for the auction at 41A Jacka Street Preston on Saturday, where the house sold for $1.2 million. CREDIT:JOE ARMAO
On the first Saturday of auctions since the rate rise,The Sunday Agecharted a course across the hipsterish suburb in Melbourne’s north, attending auctions and open-for-inspection rentals. The suburb has a median house price of $1.08 million, just above the city’s median of $1.03 million.
Some buyers and tenants scored their dream homes, but for most, the hunt continues.
At 41A Jacka Street, the auction of a three-bedroom house drew a crowd. The property, which was advertised for between $1 million to $1.1 million, sold for a little over $1.2 million.
Auctioneer Jesse Dolcetta said he was not surprised by the interest in the “beautiful home in a good spot”, which saw three parties trading bids.
While the property market slowed last year as a string of rate rises took some of the sting out of values, there had been a recent influx of buyers competing for a limited number of properties, he said. But the dip in prices has seen some sellers holding off in the hope of a market rebound.
Auctioneer Jesse Dolcetta at the Auction at 41A Jacka Street Preston.CREDIT:JOE ARMAO
“Stock is pretty tight at the moment,” Dolcetta said. “For quality homes, it’s a little bit tighter again.”