Dunkeld church sells for nearly double expectations

A 1914-built church in Dunkeld, 250 kilometres west of Melbourne, has sold for $230,000, which was nearly double its price expectations going into auction.

Agent Bart O'Sullivan from Pat Rice & Hawkins had hoped to sell the property in the Southern Grampians for more than $125,000, as reported in March.

O'Sullivan says it is very hard to gauge a price for properties of this nature.

“We quoted $125,000-plus through the marketing but we expected the market would eventually give us a true indication of what it was worth,” he told Property Observer.

“With the diverse range of inquiries you get on properties like this, it’s very hard to pinpoint.”

There were five bidders at the auction. O’Sullivan says bidding was thick and fast with a bidding competition all the way.

The purchaser was a local person representing an outside party.

“It was a local gentleman who signed the contract. He paid the deposit,” O’Sullivan says.

“He may substitute himself closer to settlement or it might be put into another entity.”

He says he doesn’t know what the purchaser will do with the property, which had interest from interstate, regional centres and locals.

“There’s always a host of ideas as to what could happen with the property. Some people look at residential, some look to develop a business. Being in the township there might be future redevelopment opportunities, but it’s always subject to approval.”

“We’re happy with the result and we were happy to have active competition on the day.”

There will be a clearing sale on June 29 to offer the church pews and other fittings no longer required.