A renovated period home in Hamilton sold for more than $2 million at auction after a busy campaign that drew more than 100 groups to the open house inspections.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property at 88 Everton Street was listed with Belinda Bartholomew-Walsh of Harcourts Newcastle.
Combining modern coastal-style design with original heritage features, the 537.5 square metre property included a separate self-contained studio with a bathroom and kitchenette.
According to the agent, multiple buyers hoped to secure the 1920s-built home, but only two could bid under auction conditions.
"It was a beautiful house, single-level and had the addition of the studio out the back and I met 105 groups in 22 days, so it was a huge campaign," Ms Bartholomew-Walsh said.
"All of the feedback was very positive, but it really came down to two families in the end and both were mid 30s with young families whereas the majority of people I met during the campaign were downsizers looking for a single-level home.
"Having that studio space for visitors or teenagers was a drawcard too.
"We had two registered to bid and had a few others who were prepared to put in offers if it passed in."
The two registered parties went head-to-head at the auction and opened the bidding at $1.8 million.
The property sold for $2.08 million.
"Both were very emotionally invested in the property and it ended up going up by $1000 toward the end, so it was very close," she said.
"One very happy family walked away with it."
According to Cotality records, the property was last sold in 2009 for $555,000.
The owners, a family with a background in the building industry, completed an extensive renovation of the house including the addition of a large open-plan living, kitchen and dining area at the rear with high cathedral-style ceilings.
The $2.08 million result is the third-highest price for a house sold on Everton Street.
Ms Bartholomew-Walsh also oversaw the sale of an architecturally-redesigned Victorian inner-city terrace at 116 Bull Street in Cooks Hill ahead of its scheduled auction.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house sold for $1.6 million to a couple who were unable to attend on auction day - and for good reason.
"It was actually on their wedding day, so it was quite the wedding gift for them" she said.
"We negotiated with them and they secured it on the Wednesday night, and then their wedding was on the Saturday."
A redesign by the previous owner, Steele Olney of Studio Dot, paired the home's original 10-foot timber ceilings, hardwood floors, cornices and cast iron fireplaces with modern updates including a dining, kitchen and living area at the rear that opens to a courtyard.
Fifty groups inspected the property and two placed offers before the auction.
Cotality records show it was last sold in 2016 for $930,000.
In Mayfield West, a three-bedroom, one-bathroom brick and tile house overlooking Stevenson Park at 41 Stevenson Avenue went to auction with Mavis Property's Mathew and Brooke Iuliano.
The 582 square metre property, offered to market for the first time in 32 years, attracted strong interest with 11 registered bidders.
After an opening bid of $950,000, three of the parties engaged in spirited bidding until the property was sold for $1.12 million.
Cotality records show it previously sold in 1994 for $125,000.
