A wonderful three-bedroom, two-bathroom Waipu property has sold for $1.615 million under the hammer after being brought forward with an agreed opening sum of $1.4 million.
After three registered bidders competed to the tune of 39 bids, the eventual buyers of 111 Massey Road were a couple who work in digital animation and can successfully work from home.
Ray White Bream Bay Salesperson James Alexander, who called the auction from the front lawn of the property, said the bidding was an absolute frenzy from the get-go.
“One party who was a phone bidder saw the video of the property online and was so impressed that they flew up from Wellington to view the property on Tuesday,” Mr Alexander said.
“Auction provides open proof that this is what the property is worth, which people appreciate. It’s proof to the buyer and seller in an open public forum.
“Buyers know that in this market they must be strong and unconditional to have a chance of winning these days, whether by tender, negotiation or whatever the method.
“They are prepared, so they are ready to transact, and even more so if guided by the agent all the way through. Interestingly, around 70 per cent of the buyers enquiring and transacting in Waipu come from Auckland.
“The market here is very strong. Waipu, with its choice of desirable holiday beaches, has always been a hit.
“What’s more, post-COVID-19, employers in Auckland now realise perhaps a new business model where staff can work from home is what’s needed.
“Staff can be happier working from home if it’s possible and COVID-19 proved it can work. It forced us to work from home and forced businesses to change and be successful to survive.
“Fast forward, and Aucklanders are now either selling up and moving north permanently and working from home and commuting to the office two days a week to check in, or buying a lock and leave to escape for a few days here and there.”
The buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had set themselves a criteria that they found difficult to satisfy.
“I had about 15 different saved searches on TradeMe with various different tags ‘shed’, ‘barn’, price indication, and location,” they said.
“Yes, TradeMe was my go-to initially, but I also looked at other portals or ads that popped up on Facebook.”