Radio's Libbi Gorr doubles money in weekend auction sale

Radio's Libbi Gorr doubles money in weekend auction sale
Staff reporterDecember 7, 2020

ABC Melbourne radio broadcaster Libbi Gorr and her TV producer partner Stewart Burchmore doubled their money when they secured $3.23 million for their redundant Sydney home at its weekend auction.

The three bedroom North Bondi auction offering, (above) which has been a $1350 weekly rental earner over the past four years, cost $1,605,000 in 2007.

Phillips Pantzer Donnelley had four bidders - all above the signalled $2.9 million reserve - on the offering which was marketed as as having potential to live in, renovate or completely rebuild.

Gorr, growing up in Murrumbeena, got her big break with Andrew Denton's ABC sports comedy program Live and Sweaty, where her satirical character Elle McFeast emerged in 1991.

By coincidence nearby Glen Huntly saw the nation's cheapest weekend result when a one bedroom apartment (below) sold for $260,000.

Having recently had a makeover, Woodards agent Ruth Roberts got a sale having previously sought unsuccessfully to secure $310,000 when it was scheduled for 2013 auction.

The first floor 131 Grange Road property traded last in 2005 at $175,000. The 44 sqm 1965-built apartment was advertised in 2015 for a $275 a week rental.

Auction markets have remained resilient, with both volumes and the preliminary clearance rate rising week-on-week, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.

The property data firm says that the strong auction results add some complexity to speculation that the housing market is moving through its peak rate of growth.

"At face value, auction markets are continuing to indicate continued strength in selling conditions across Sydney and Melbourne, however it’s harder to know whether vendors are adjusting their reserve pricing in order to clear their property," Corelogic's auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.

Sydney returned to be the capital city with the highest clearance rate - and it also secured the top sale when records fell in Strathfield, with an $8.8 million sale by Sanity boss Ray Itaoui and wife Rachel. 

Their Frank Lloyd-Wright inspired mansion (below) that cost them $5 million in 2010 sold through Georges Ellis & Co agent Joseph Georges.

The suburb record has been set four times in the past year.

There were 2,376 auctions held across the capital cities over the week to Saturday, with a preliminary auction clearance rate of 76.2 percent.

Last week, a final clearance rate of 73 percent was recorded across 1,689 auctions.

It was a better performance that the corresponding period last year, auction volumes were lower at 1,876 properties taken to auction and a clearance rate of 69.5 percent.

Melbourne had the highest number of auctions with 1,092 properties going to market, with a lower preliminary rate of clearance week-on-week at 76.8 percent, down on the 77.5 percent across 792 auctions.

This time last year, 871 properties were taken to auction across Melbourne and a clearance rate of 71.3 per cent was recorded.

Melbourne's top sale was a five bedroom house at Kew that sold for $4.515 million.

The 8 Mawson Street (below) property offered through Marshall White agents Mike Beardsley and Scarlett Hang.

Reality TV renovators Joe and Fil sold their Maribyrnong house which was transformed on the Channel 7 show, House Rules.

Listed so they can move on to their next project, the pair had added a fourth bedroom and third bathroom to the house at 12 Grandview Avenue (below).

Rendina Real Estate, Kensington agent Richard Rending told The Herald Sun prior to auction the buyer interest had been in the vicinity of $1.3 million.

The House Rules contestants Joe and Fil sold for $1.27 million after it was passed in at $1.11 million

In Sydney, 938 auctions were held this week, up from 592 over the previous week, with 700 plus held on Saturday.

The preliminary clearance rate of 79.4 percent was up from 73.8 percent last week.

It was higher than this time last year, when a clearance rate of 76.2 percent was recorded across 647 auctions.

The Northern Beaches region recorded the strongest clearance rate of 91.4 percent across 94 auctions.

There were 127 Brisbane homes taken to auction with the preliminary clearance rate for the city at 61.8 percent, up from 59.6 percent last week and higher than one year ago, when just 49.3 percent of the 151 properties taken to auction were successful.

A three bedroom Brisbane townhouse at Richlands sold for $280,000, making it Brisbane’s most cheapest weekend auction result. It sold at $339,000 on its 2009 completion

Located at 23/20 Kathleen Street, the Progress Park property (below) was marketed as suitable for investment or first home buyers when offered through MTR Property Group agent Marilyn Thurtell.

Brisbane's dearest sale was a renovated 1910 Nundah house at $2.46 million. The 33 Oxford Street (below) property captures bay breezes and city skyline. The two storey house with pool and tennis court was offered through Ray White having last sold at $1,905,000 in 2009.

Adelaide saw a preliminary clearance rate of 71.8 percent, with 71 reported results across a total of 100 scheduled auctions.

In comparison, over the previous week Adelaide’s clearance rate was 62.5 percent and 66.3 percent one year ago.

A four bedroom house at Trinity Gardens sold for $1.47 million making it Adelaide’s most expensive weekend auction result.

Located at 115 Ashbrook Avenue, (below) the property sits on a 841 sqm block of land. The 1900 home last traded at $505,000 in 2004.

The property was offered through Klemich Real Estate agent Steve Alexander who had advised $1.25 million expectations.

There were 31 Perth auctions this week and so far 14 results have been reported, with 42.9 percent selling.

Last week there was a 43.8 percent clearance rate for Perth.

Across Canberra a total of 79 auctions were held compared to 58 last week and 52 at the same time last year.

Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate of 75.8 percent is higher than it was the previous week's 64.7 percent.

A modern two-storey house at Deakin sold for $1.694 million making it Canberra’s most expensive weekend auction sale.

Located at 13 Newdegate Street, (below) the four bedroom property offered through LJ Hooker who had a $1.5 million price guide.

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