AUCTIONS

At 9 Tennyson Street in Brighton no public bid was recorded and agent Nick Johnstone Real Estate passed it in on a vendor bid of $3 million before a private auction between two keen bidders. The house — a block back from the beach with a pool, bay views and five bedrooms — sold at a discount to the original $3.5 million quoted price. Investors should note that beachside properties can still sell below quoted prices and that private negotiations after a passed-in auction can determine the final deal.

The townhouse at 3 Pine Street had no public bids at auction and was passed in on a vendor bid of $1.34 million by agent Hocking Stuart. Three people made offers after the auction and it was purchased by a retirement couple. The single-level unit features two living areas, three bedrooms and a north-facing outdoor living area close to Dendy Village.

43 Argyll Circuit sits on a 1,000-square-metre corner block and is a classic late-1970s brick house with three bedrooms (main with en suite), a study, large lounge, separate kitchen-meals area, air-conditioning and a double lock-up garage. It had been a rental property and 'needs plenty of work,' which can present a value‑add opportunity for investors looking to renovate. The sale was handled by First National Melton.

The auction for 11 Acland Street drew a crowd of up to 200 people. Bidding started at $1.8 million, five further bidders entered the contest, and Wilson Port Phillip declared the property on the market at $2.55 million. A final knock-out rise of $50,000 secured the Victorian house, illustrating how competitive auctions can drive prices up quickly.

Mintaro, a neglected country mansion, attracted three bidders at auction with bids opening at $2 million. The property passed in at $2.85 million and then sold after negotiations for the $3 million reserve previously disclosed by agent John Keating. The new owners, from Toolern Vale, plan to renovate the mansion and occasionally open it to the public.

In the article's context, 'passed in on a vendor bid' refers to properties that did not sell under the hammer during the public auction; the agent recorded a vendor bid (for example $3 million and $1.34 million in the reports) and the property was then passed in. Those properties often go to private negotiation or receive offers after the auction.

The auction outcomes highlight several investor-relevant points: properties can sell below original quoted prices (as with the Brighton beach house), passed-in auctions often lead to post-auction negotiations, and renovation needs (like the West Melton rental or the Monegeetta mansion) can signal value-add opportunities. They also show that high demand (as at St Kilda) can quickly escalate prices, so investors should factor in location, condition and likely auction dynamics when evaluating deals.

Yes. Practical takeaways include: examine property condition closely (many listings needed work), consider buyer profiles (e.g., retirement buyers or renovators), expect passed-in properties to prompt post-auction offers or negotiations, and watch for competitive bidding in desirable areas which can raise final prices. The reports — from Brighton, St Kilda, West Melton and Monegeetta — are real examples of how auction mechanics and property condition affect outcomes.