Melbourne real estate open for business as online auction nets buyer already

Melbourne real estate open for business as online auction nets buyer already
Joel RobinsonDecember 7, 2020

Melbourne estate agents were relieved to be taking people through homes from Monday September 28, as the Andrews government eased lockdown restrictions earlier than anticipated.

And Ray White managed to score an online auction sale on day one, the first since the easing of restrictions.

A Craigieburn home (top) sold under the hammer for $610,000, called by Ray White Craigieburn agent and auctioneer Trish Orrico (below).  

“The online interest for this one was really amazing and virtual inspections also proved very popular,” said Ray White Craigieburn agent Daniel Diamantopolous.

“After three private inspections yesterday, we had nine registered bidders – six of whom were active – and a strong online audience of more than 35 people, and the best still yet to come.”

On Monday Ray White Werribee agent Peter Krnjeta managed to take 14 separate prospective home buyers through properties.

“We’ve been talking about the pent-up demand for months now, but my phone literally did not stop ringing after the announcement on Sunday – the demand is incredible,” Mr Krnjeta said.

“People have been waiting weeks and weeks for this opportunity and there’s no doubt they’re now seeing a light of the end of the tunnel as transactions can now take place more easily, of course, in a COVID-safe environment.”

Private inspections for purchase or leasing of Melbourne properties could recommence from 11:59 pm Sunday 27 September 2020.

Real estate auctions will continue to be remote auctions only.

But real estate inspections of property and display home inspections are allowed with one agent and one prospective purchaser.

The prospective purchaser may be accompanied by one other person from an existing household or an intimate partner, and the prospective purchaser or tenant’s children under 18 years old
 
Contactless protocols will be required for inspections, including pre-arranged at a set time and limited to 15 minutes.

A person is not permitted to travel to regional Victoria for a private property inspection, and a person may not travel to metropolitan Melbourne for a private property inspection.
 
The 5km rule does not apply when inspecting a house.
 
But you can only leave your home for a maximum of two hours to attend the inspection and cannot travel into regional Victoria or from regional Victoria to Melbourne.
 

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is a property journalist based in Sydney. Joel has been writing about the residential real estate market for the last five years, specializing in market trends and the economics and finance behind buying and selling real estate.

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