From the sublime to the ridiculous – the record temperatures and blistering heat of the week prior were a distant memory, and in stark contrast to the conditions faced at an auction on Saturday in St Ives, on Sydney’s upper North Shore.

Scheduled to commence at 5pm with viewings due to commence at 4.30pm, listing agent James Levy of Savills Cordeau Marshall arrived at the property at 44A Woodbury Road just after 4pm, with the massive hail storm striking soon after. Despite the chaotic conditions and the hail that completely covered the front lawn, he was still able to show the property.

The auction got underway with the bidding becoming more and more competitive. The stormy conditions did not deter buyers with numbers out in force, and certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for upper North Shore property, with the final bid for the five bedroom home coming in at a whopping $3.2 million – significantly above reserve.

Prices in the area continue to go from strength to strength, buoyed by increased demand for the area and a shortage in stock. The buyers were a family with young children.

The popularity of St Ives as a suburb of choice continues to grow, fuelled by its leafy environs, access to transport and the city, great amenities, parks and leisure, as well as its highly regarded schools, and those in suburbs close by. For example, St Ives North Primary led not only the state but the whole nation in last year’s NAPLAN testing, ranking as highest public primary school.

Unfortunately for Mr Levy, St Ives was one of the areas hardest hit in the storm, and his car was damaged extensively by hail as was that of his colleague Stephanie Hearne whose windscreen was smashed. He noted, “In real estate we say timing is everything. It was great for our vendor, not so good for my car...a hazard of the job!”

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