HOME SWEET HOME: 126 Lilyfield Road, Lilyfield.

The dilapidated Victorian home at 126 Lilyfield Rd in Lilyfield was listed with inside walls caked in grime and a dust bowl for a garden.

Part of the three-bedroom, one-bathroom property appeared in listing photos scattered with junk.

Marketed as a “unique canvas to restore to its former glory” the property’s 443sq m land offering was said to be the main draw for buyers.

The home was snapped up before it its scheduled March auction.Source:Supplied

It was expected to attract particularly strong interest from developers who have been running out of building opportunities in the area.

Selling agents Matthew Hayson and Ben Southwell had set the price guide at an already lofty $1.8 million but interest superseded their expectations.

The garden needs a little tender loving care.Source:Supplied

“Renovating a home like this would have cost $1 million so all the interest was from developers,” Mr Hayson said.

The strong pre-auction offer was the result of “too many builders looking for projects and not enough renovating opportunities,” he added.

The front of the property.Source:Supplied

The new owner is expected to knock the existing structure down and replace it with two modern homes but will still need to get approval from council.

The property had been held by the same family for more than 22 years, last selling in 1995 for $112,000.

The home was offered with three bedrooms.Source:Supplied

Selling before auction meant the property spent just 20 days on the market — well below the 36 days it takes the average Sydney property to sell and a quarter of the national average of 80 days.

Originally published as Shock price for home needing $1m in repairs