About 30 people are crammed into quite possibly the worst unit in one of the best streets in Alexandra Headland on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.<\/p>\n
Attendees are confronted by an exposed wall with insulation spilling out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sam Proietto speaking to the crowd gathered at the Alexandra Headland unit. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)<\/p>\n
“Definitely needs some love, we are not trying to disguise that at all,” auctioneer Sam Proietto tells the crowd.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure you’ve all got eyes.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The unit is in need of major renovations. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)<\/p>\n
The one-bedroom unit is encased by a mix of painted and bare brick walls, with retro yellow tiles adorning the kitchen and partially built bathroom.<\/p>\n
But here, it is what is outside that counts, with the balcony offering glimpses of the sparkling ocean.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The view from the balcony of the Alexandra Headland unit. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)<\/p>\n
The property is being sold by the Queensland Public Trustee (QPT), which sells between 300 and 400 homes each year.<\/p>\n
The properties are often from deceased estates, and that is the case for this unit, with the late owner’s family among those eagerly watching on as the auction unfolds.<\/p>\n
The opening bid is $560,000, but it quickly ratchets up in $10,000 increments as five would-be buyers do battle.<\/p>\n
Eventually the hammer falls at $701,000 \u2014 about $100,000 below the suburb’s current median unit price \u2014 with Sophie Marks the ecstatic new owner.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sam Proietto sells the unit for $701,000.\u00a0 (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)<\/p>\n
“I wanted something different, to be honest,” Ms Marks said.<\/p>\n
“I’m a tradie. I know a lot of tradies as well \u2014 so we’ll be busy.<\/p>\n
“I’m also a big part of the Mooloolaba Surf Club. I volunteer there most weekends, train down there every day for surf lifesaving, so I wanted something close.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The unit is within walking distance of beaches at Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba. (Supplied: Queensland Public Trustee)<\/p>\n
For Fay McLean it seems serendipitous that Ms Marks should buy her late brother Gregory McLean’s beloved beach retreat, because the former architect was a volunteer surf lifesaver when he stayed on the coast.<\/p>\n
“Greg designed this building. He lived in London and came out for three months every year,” Ms McLean said.<\/p>\n
“To see someone live in it would be lovely. This is an ending for us \u2014 it’s closure.”<\/p>\n
Robyn Vos and Fay McLean said the sale of their brother’s property brought them closure. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)<\/p>\n
A renovator’s delight<\/p>\n
The Alexandra Headland unit was one of 10 public trustee properties to go under the hammer in south-east Queensland in the past week, with more than half in prime beachside and waterfront locations on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.<\/p>\n