A torrential downpour didn't dampen the enthusiasm of bidders as they competed for a Northcote townhouse, driving the price to a staggering $1.63 million in just minutes. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 22A Mitchell Street was listed for sale with a quoted price range of $1.3 million to $1.4 million by Nelson Alexander selling agent Roland Paterson. The property's excellent condition and low-maintenance features, including a generous rear courtyard and off-street parking, likely contributed to the intense bidding. The auction began with a bid of $1.31 million, and the reserve was set at the top of the range. Paterson attributed the rapid bidding to the poor weather, stating that the auction was 'short and sweet' and 'all over in about three minutes' due to the rain. The winning buyers, a young couple, were assisted by an older family member in their bidding efforts. This auction was one of 1385 scheduled for 'Super Saturday' in Melbourne, a day known for its high volume of property auctions. In contrast, a two-level Victorian terrace in Carlton North failed to attract any genuine bids, passing in after receiving only a vendor bid at the bottom of the range. The home, located at 603 Station Street, was previously a rental and was listed for sale with a quoted price range of $1.7 million to $1.8 million. The selling agent, Nicholas Corby, expressed surprise at the lack of interest, noting that he expected two other buyers to bid at the auction. The property is now for sale with a single price of $1,795,000, which is also the vendor's reserve. Corby suggested that the hesitation in the market might be due to the current interest rate environment, where there is no hope of any cuts in the near future, causing buyers to be cautious about their purchases.
