by Antony Bucello & Catherine Cashmore
Once again, the weekend produced some ‘healthy’ results with a clearance rate of 74 per cent based on over 700 auctions. Typically most sales in Melbourne are conducted private treaty with a rough 75/25 percentage split – 75 per cent being private sales and 25 per cent ‘sale by auction’.
However when confidence improves and results start surpassing their reserve, the number of vendors opting to sell via auction increases. This week, 56 per cent of results posted were private sales, the rest were ‘for sale by auction’ and there is no perceptible sign of the market weakening. If anything the reverse seems to be occurring.
All auctions I’m attending are managing to sell under the hammer – however it should be noted that I typically attend “above par” listings which obviously attract a larger buying market. In some instances, those sales are exceeding reserve by over 10 per cent, which as we’ve seen previously in bullish auction markets, cannot be sustained over the longer term.
There has been little change in the basic fundamentals of our market place – confidence is still waxing and waning, with the latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute index down 7 per cent in May, to 97.6 – below the ‘critical’ 100 point bench mark. Also, news of job losses have been filtering in over the past few months, initially from Ford and Holden – and most recently Crown, which should reflect badly on unemployment data.
The drop in the cash rate, which was passed on in full by most lenders last month has provided buyers will a little more spending power, however the 70 per cent + clearance rate with overall turnover exceeding 1000 properties most weeks and prices swinging past the reserve, is more to do with the effect public auctions have on buyer psychology than anything else – producing a stimulant across the market place and all price ranges, as those who miss out, stretch budgets to make sure they don’t lose out on the next listing, and vendors up expectation as they see neighbouring properties sell higher than comparable sales would suggest.
Furthermore, stock is dropping – particularity good stock. Once again, this is fairly typical of a rising market. After-all, who wants to sell when the perception remains that a vendor can get ‘more’ if they hold and wait for further gains – especially as additional rate cuts have been widely ‘predicted.’
Therefore, considering the clear reality that the market shows no current sign of weakening, it’s somewhat of a surprise to find RP Data’s ‘daily index’ for the Month of May posting a -4.4 per cent drop in unit prices whilst at the same time, there has been a 3.7 per cent ‘rise’ in house prices for the same period. It should also be noted, that the REIV – which arguably collects a greater proportion of Melbourne’s sale data, has posted a comparatively ‘modest’ 1.4 per cent gain in house prices for the month of May, which is far more reasonable as an overall percentage.
There has been plenty of criticism aimed at the daily index for the apparent ‘mis match’ with other market indicators – some of which I have mentioned previously in my weekly Property Observer column. It seems the general consensus of opinion revolves around ‘lagging’ results which are collected and shuffled into the index at a later date. This would make sense in light of the strong gains that were posted in the first quarter, but not immediately evident ‘on the ground.’
Regardless – investors and home buyers need to be extremely prudent when setting budgets and bidding on properties. It’s still possible to buy well, however, without adequate knowledge of where we started, taking full advantage of sales data for the duration of the ‘year to date’ time span, the possibility of overpaying on the back of a short term auction ‘rally’ is ever prevalent.
Catherine Cashmore
| Clearance Rate: | 74% | ||
| Total Auctions: | 721 (7 unreported) | ||
| Sold: | 531 | Passed in: | 190 |
| At auction: | 418 | Vendor Bid: | 107 |
| Before auction: | 113 | Real bid: | 83 |
| After auction: | 0 | ||
| Total Private Sales: | 685 | ||
| Weekly Turnover: | 1216 | ||
| Source: www.reiv.com.au | |||
The NPB clearance rate is representative of the results evidenced in the ‘quality’ end of the marketplace. We take the results from a range of suburbs; however please note we are not ‘suburb specific’. NPB Melbourne, negotiate on hundreds of properties for their clients each year throughout all areas of Melbourne and the Bellarine Peninsula. The properties we highlight are taken from a selection which we carefully analyse for quality assessment and revise daily.
NPB’s clearance rate is moving in line with REIV data – however it should be noted, the quality and quantity of ‘good’ listings are slowly reducing as we approach winter and it’s expected this could increase competition.
| NPB Clearance Rate: | 87% | ||
| Total Auctions Reviewed: | 56 | ||
| Sold: | 49 | Passed in: | 7 |
| Under $600k: | 15 | 2 | |
| $600k-$1m: | 24 | 2 | |
| $1m+: | 10 | 3 | |
Why is the NPB Clearance Rate always higher than the REIV Clearance Rate?
The NPB clearance rate is a snapshot of ‘investment grade’ or ‘cream of the crop’ properties representing only those we recommend to clients. These are properties that hold the best potential for a long term capital growth and rental demand. Whilst the Real Estate Institute of Victoria include all properties scheduled for auction (as reported by their members) – including those that are poorly located and unlikely to attract demand even in a robust climate; our clearance rate is far more representative of the market that represents our client’s best interests. It’s an important part of how we assess the best negotiation strategy for your needs.
The full list of the 56 properties reviewed by NPB this weekend:
| Suburb | Type | Beds | Quote | Result |
| Box Hill | Unit | 2 | $370-400k | SOLD $422,500 |
| St Kilda East | Apartment | 1 | $400-440k | SOLD $442,500 |
| Thornbury | Unit | 2 | $360-390k | SOLD $430,000 |
| Seaford | House | 3 | $400-450k | PASSED IN |
| North Melbourne | Apartment | 2 | $410-450k | SOLD $448,000 |
| Essendon | Apartment | 2 | $340-375k | SOLD $451,000 |
| Heidelberg | Townhouse | 2 | $430-460k | SOLD $460,000 |
| Reservoir | House | 3 | $450k+ | SOLD $490,000 |
| Elwood | Apartment | 2 | $470-510k | SOLD $520,000 |
| Moonee Ponds | Unit | 2 | $370-400k | SOLD $541,000 |
| Prahran | Apartment | 2 | $510-560k | SOLD $551,000 |
| Thornbury | House | 3 | $530k+ | PASSED IN |
| Preston | House | 3 | $540-580k | SOLD $580,000 |
| St Kilda East | Apartment | 3 | $520-580k | SOLD $582,500 |
| Preston | House | 2 | $500-550k | SOLD $585,000 |
| Footscray | House | 2 | $510-560k+ | SOLD $590,000 |
| Vermont | House | 3 | $450k+ | SOLD $596,000 |
| Sold | 15 | |||
| Passed In | 2 | NPB Clearance Rate 88% | ||
| Total | 17 | |||
| Suburb | Type | Beds | Quote | Result |
| Northcote | Warehouse | 2 | $600-650k | SOLD $615,000 |
| Seddon | House | 3 | $520-570k | SOLD $618,000 |
| Northcote | House | 2 | $520k+ | SOLD $620,000 |
| Northcote | Unit | 2 | $510-560k | SOLD $630,000 |
| Doncaster | Townhouse | 4 | $500-550k | SOLD $637,000 |
| Preston | House | 3 | $530k+ | SOLD $640,000 |
| Northcote | Townhouse | 3 | $560-620k | SOLD $645,000 |
| Brunswick East | Townhouse | 2 | $580-640k | SOLD $650,000 |
| Box Hill North | House | 3 | $500-550k | SOLD $663,000 |
| Kew East | Apartment | 2 | $550k+ | SOLD $664,000 |
| Mont Albert | Unit | 2 | $550k+ | PASSED IN |
| Bentleigh | House | 2 | $550-600k | SOLD $665,000 |
| South Melbourne | House | 2 | $600k+ | SOLD $670,500 |
| Richmond | Apartment | 2 | $550-600k | SOLD $671,000 |
| Collingwood | Apartment | 2 | $550-600k | SOLD $675,000 |
| Thornbury | House | 2 | $590-650k | SOLD $689,000 |
| Seddon | House | 2 | $600-650k | SOLD $700,000 |
| Prahran | Townhouse | 2 | $620k+ | SOLD $701,000 |
| Box Hill | House | 2 | $600k+ | SOLD $704,000 |
| South Yarra | Apartment | 2 | $600-660k | SOLD $706,000 |
| Thornbury | House | 2 | $680-740k | SOLD $740,000 |
| Hawthorn | Apartment | 2 | $550-600k | SOLD $741,000 |
| Pascoe Vale Sth | House | 3 | $670-720k | SOLD $744,000 |
| Elwood | Townhouse | 3 | $750k+ | SOLD $795,000 |
| Box Hill North | House | 3 | $650k+ | SOLD $800,000 |
| Northcote | House | 2 | $660-730k | PASSED IN |
| Sold | 24 | |||
| Passed In | 2 | NPB Clearance Rate 92% | ||
| Total | 26 | |||
| Suburb | Type | Beds | Quote | Result |
| Middle Park | House | 2 | $1m+ | PASSED IN |
| Glen Waverley | House | 4 | $1.1-1.2m | SOLD $1,120,000 |
| Carlton North | House | 2 | $1.05-1.15m | SOLD $1,180,000 |
| Essendon | House | 4 | $1.1-1.2m | SOLD $1,264,000 |
| Brighton | House | 2 | $1.2m+ | SOLD $1,375,000 |
| Clifton Hill | House | 3 | $1.25-1.35m | SOLD $1,389,000 |
| South Yarra | Apartment | 3 | $1.2m+ | SOLD $1,461,000 |
| Alphington | House | 3 | $1.4-1.55m | PASSED IN |
| Hampton | House | 4 | $1.55-1.65m | SOLD $1,630,000 |
| Carlton North | House | 4 | $1.9-2.1m | SOLD $2,320,000 |
| Hawthorn | House | 4 | $1.9m+ | SOLD $2,760,000 |
| Brighton | House | 4 | $2.4m+ | PASSED IN |
| Middle Park | House | 5 | $3.2m+ | SOLD $3,930,000 |
| Sold | 10 | |||
| Passed In | 3 | NPB Clearance Rate 77% | ||
| Total | 13 | |||
| Sold | 49 | |||
| Passed In | 7 | NPB Clearance Rate 87% | ||
| Total | 56 | |||
AUCTIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
119 Patterson Road Bentleigh
23 Wheatley Rd BENTLEIGH
Comment:
This 5 bedroom renovated house attracted a large crowd of around 90 people. Opening with a real bid of $1,200,000, the auction soon gained traction. At $1,440,000 it was announced ‘on the market’ and with some last minute tit for tat bidding, sold for $1,570,000.
CONTACT US
If you need any assistance with searching, assessing or negotiating your next property purchase or simply wish to discuss your property buying needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can complete our online Help Us Help You form and we will contact you.
Regards
Antony Bucello and Catherine Cashmore
Comment:
A quick auction with 3 interested bidders occurred for this renovated 2 bedroom unit in Bentleigh. Without looking for a ‘real bid’ the auctioneer started proceedings with a vendor bid of $550,000 – asking for 10K increments. At $660,000 the bidding stalled, and the auctioneer went to see the vendor. Upon return, he confirmed the property was ‘on the market’ – and the hammer fell 2 bids later at $665,000.