1-2 Starling Close, Lara, sold for $940,000 at auction.

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A fast start to the auction of a three-bedroom Lara house on a double block counted one of the bidders out before they could raise a hand.

The auction opened at $880,000 for the 1282sq m property at 1-2 Starling Close, with two bidders taking the contest $40,000 beyond the reserve price to sell for $940,000.

Hayeswinckle, Lara agent Matthew Ward said the space available on the outskirts of the town was a key attraction for buyers.

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“In the morning before the auction we had three confirmed bidders but the bidding started so high that it actually counted one of them out from the start,” Mr Ward said.

The property was listed with $900,000 to $970,000 price hopes. The reserve was set at $900,000, Mr Ward said.

“They’re going to move in and renovate inside,” Mr Ward said of the buyers, who are relocating from Lovely Banks.

1-2 Starling Close, Lara, sold for $940,000 at auction.

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1-2 Starling Close, Lara, sold for $940,000 at auction.

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1-2 Starling Close, Lara, sold for $940,000 at auction.

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“Because it’s a 1282sq m block, it leaves itself open to a lot of things but for me they’re just going to enjoy the size of the land.”

The property offers an array of attractions, such as an outdoor patio, a salt chlorinated swimming pool and even a skateboard ramp.

“There’s a heap of stuff out the back,” Mr Ward said.

“These guys just wanted something bigger – there is plenty of land that they can just move in to.”

The property is set on a single title, but was offered as a potential subdivision opportunity.

3 Black Swan Court, Lara, sold for $931,000.

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Earlier last week, downsizers targetting a waterfront property generated a strong price for a four-bedroom house in Lara’s Grand Lakes estate.

The 567sq m property at 3 Black Swan Court is a contemporary residence offering three separate internal living areas and a covered outdoor area.

Ray White, Lara agent Terry Cleary said there were four parties interest in the property, but it went down to two locals bidding for the property, selling for $931,000.

“They were both looking at it from a downsizing exercise and the location was a key part of the attraction as well,” he said.

“Bigger homes, bigger blocks they were on – they were coming back to a more manageable sized holding.”

The westerly view across the lakes toward the sunset.

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3 Black Swan Court, Lara.

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3 Black Swan Court, Lara.

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The complex of lakes within the estate is akin to waterfront living in the town just north of Geelong.

Developer Bisinella won awards for its work on the project and now homeowners were reaping the rewards.

“It was a good sized home, with the number of living areas looking across the Grand Lakes with uninterrupted views to the westerly sunset,” Mr Cleary said.

“You’ve got your neighbours on either side but nothing in front but that great outlook.

“The developer who did that – no doubt they put a lot of time and effort into the whole concept in terms of lakeland living and water views.

“The results that are coming through are showing that the current owners are really benefitting from them.”