Bidders have snapped up five Orange houses in the past week as part of a trend by sellers to go to auction.
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Real estate agents said auction numbers were rising, particularly with a growing interest in the local market from Sydney buyers used to buying at auction.
Ray White Orange director Lan Snowden said he favoured auctions for selling property.
He said auctions were more popular in the metropolitan areas and Dubbo, but locals were changing their attitudes.
“I think it is a sign of a good market,” he said.
“More vendors are liking the idea of auctions.”
About 12 houses have been sold by auction in Orange this spring with about 10 more due in the next few weeks.
Mr Snowden has a two bedroom house in Franklin Road for auction on November 25 which he said would appeal to people looking to downsize near the CBD.
“I think it is a little bit unique, you don’t get a lot of smaller homes close to the town,” he said.
It is one of three properties the agency has up for auction in the next few weeks.
One Agency Orange co-principal Ash Brown said buyers were outstripping demand right now.
“I believe [it is] because the market is so good at the moment, auctions work well in a good market,” he said.
Mr Brown said he had a Clinton Street property listed for auction on November 18 which was under offer after a lot of interest.
“We had 34 groups of people through the house in one hour for an open house.
“Private treaty will always be the majority [of sales] in this town.
“But auctions are increasing, there is not doubt at all, there are more auctions than I’ve ever seen.
“A lot of money is coming from Sydney. Sydney buyers are used to auctions.”
McCormack Barber Real Estate Orange started the strong auction week by selling a Hill Street house at auction last Thursday.
It has three more properties coming up for auction in the next three weeks.
Orange Real Estate owner Scott Quirk sold four houses at auction in Edward Street for one owner last Saturday.
“I believe auctions can work and that it is the fairest way to sell property,” he said.
“It’s not capping the price. It’s not necessarily finding the first buyer, it’s finding the best buyer who will pay the best price.”
Auctions this weekend include 72 March Street at 11am on Saturday [Peter Fisher Real Estate] and 19 Manchester Road at 10.30am on Sunday [Century 21 Combined Orange].
Check out this week’s open houses around Orange.