Success without growth? Melbourne's autumn 2015 auction season the highest since 2007

The Melbourne auction secured its strongest autumn clearance rate selling season since 2007 with auction clearance rates tracking above 80% over the final weeks.

APM calculated the weekend auction market recorded an average Saturday rate of 76.4% over the eight weeks to Easter. Since Easter, Saturday auction rates have averaged 81.8% as the market lifted from solid to strong.

The number of auctions conducted declined on the latter weekends, with overall some 13,356 Saturday auctions since the beginning of February compared to 13,452 over the same period last year.

Last year (above) Melbourne clearance rates topped briefly a 79% and finished the year in the high 60%s. 

The most affordable property reported sold at the weekend was a one-bedroom unit at 3/6 Hatfield Court, West Footscray sold for $220,000 by Sweeney Footscray. 

It sold in 2009 at $210,000, suggesting the 2009 market fillip secured a robust price as it had also sold at $135,000 in 2007.

Its investor buyer was seeking $240 a week when offered last year. Not much rental growth either as the investor sought $230 a week back in 2009.