– The executors of a Hamilton estate were speechless when the home sold for $1.36 million.
– The sale, $260,000 above the acceptable pre-auction offer, resulted in a bidding war between two buyers.
– The property’s location near a golf course was a major draw, despite its retro condition.
The executors of a deceased estate overlooking a prestigious Hamilton golf course were left speechless after their “as is, where is” home sold for an impressive $1.36 million.
Keen golfers Sheila and Rex Hollinger lived in the home on St Andrews Terrace, next to St Andrews Course, for 40 years. Their two children flew over from Australia to watch Wednesday’s action, having already accepted a pre-auction offer of $1.1m (which was also the RV).
Lodge agent Bill Burnett said they were “lost for words” after the property sold for $260,000 more than they had been willing to accept.
“They were extremely happy,” he told OneRoof.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home boasts the original 1980s interior. Photo / Supplied
There were five registered bidders in the room, but they did not get a chance to bid after two phone buyers went head-to-head for it.
There were five registered bidders in the auction room, but they were trumped by two phone buyers, who went head-to-head over 10 minutes and 50 bids. “It basically became a two-horse race.”
Burnett was unsure of the new owners’ plans for the two-bedroom home, but they knew people who owned property on the street and understood the value of the area.
“It could be the case that it’s developed down the line or straight away – I’m not too sure. But I know that they are familiar with the area, and their family is familiar with the area.”
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About 80 people viewed the 1980s home during the three-week campaign, including many of the golfers who walked past it while out on the course.
“They see it all the time when they play golf. People might have hit the property when they are playing golf down the first hole,” Burnett told OneRoof.
The house boasted the late couple’s original, beige-patterned carpet, curved doorways, rounded walls, and wooden kitchen, as well as customised cabinetry in the lounge and master bedroom.
Burnett said some felt the property required too much work for them, but the more serious buyers were out to develop or renovate.
The home is only one of four properties with such wide front-facing views of the golf course. Photo / Supplied
“I know there were a couple of people in the room who were developers, but more so for higher spec single dwellings rather than multi units.”
He believed the rare location was the biggest drawcard for people.
“They don’t come up for sale that often, and it really is people’s one-and-only chance to put their name to a prime and valuable piece of Hamilton. Just because it was a one-of-one offering meant there was a lot of competition for it at the end of the day.”
The Hollingers knew just how special the land was when they bought in 1981. They raised their children in a house across the road before deciding to buy and build their dream home on the 692sqm vacant section backing onto the golf course.
The couple’s daughter told OneRoof earlier this month that her parents had been able to walk out of their back gate and stroll to the first hole. “Their home also became a social spot as they could wave to and chat with their friends as they walked down the fairway,” she said.
Having the Hamilton Golf Club four doors down from the home was also handy for her father, who was a long-serving member and even has a bench seat named in his honour there.