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Winning bidder Annabel Wallace scored this central Geelong house at auction on Saturday just three weeks after starting her search. Picture: Peter Ristevski
A Geelong character home beat price hopes by $110,000 as five bidders contested a prime inner city location at auction on Saturday.
Red-hot competition drove the $911,000 sale of the three-bedroom house at 23 Maud Street before a big crowd.
Price expectations had been $800,000 heading into the auction, but buyers saw greater value in the position close to South Geelong train station and the CBD.
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The house has great street appeal.
The second living area overlooks the backyard.
Bidding for the updated Victorian-era house opened at $750,000 and quickly raced over $900,000.
It was a case of first time lucky for eventual buyer Annabel Wallace, who only started house hunting three weeks ago after moving to Geelong last year.
“This was the first one I looked at,” Ms Wallace said.
“I just fell in the love with its character. I’m from Tasmania so I was looking for something that reminded me of home.”
Ms Wallace is all smiles after the hammer fell in her favour. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Many original features have been retained.
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Hodges, Geelong West agent Ryan Shelley said a lack of stock in the city spurred high levels of interest in the property.
“It was a fantastic result,” Mr Shelley said.
“Being obviously inner city living, the CBD location was a major drawcard.
“And the fact it had a triple car garage in that kind of location.”
Hodges, Geelong West agent Marcus Falconer calls the auction on Saturday. Picture: Peter Ristevski
He said that section of Maud Street was a bit of a “hidden gem” that was only a short stroll from the Kardinia Park precinct.
The weatherboard house has been sympathetically updated and blends period features like brick fireplaces, iron lacework and decorative plaster detail with a modern kitchen and two living areas.
The outdoor entertainment area links to a separate home office or studio, while the three-car garage and workshop is accessed off a rear lane.