David Cortous calls for bids at 30 Mervyn St, Newtown.

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Two homes close to Newtown’s Pakington St shopping strip sold within an hour on Saturday as six bidders chanced the market.

The homes in Mervyn St and Saffron St were snapped up on a day when the first burst of 30-plus degree weather saw potential buyers melt away at a number of auctions across Geelong where properties were passed in with little or no bidding.

Two groups raised a hand at 30 Mervyn St, when sold after the bidding reached $1.225m.

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McGrath, Geelong agent David Cortous said the well-loved family home presented the buyers the opportunity to renovate and extend.

“It’s got polished floorboards, big bedrooms, beautiful, lush garden,” Mr Cortous said.
“There an updated bathroom and you head through and the home just opens up to the open living area.

30 Mervyn St, Newtown, sold for $1.225m

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30 Mervyn St, Newtown, sold for $1.225m

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30 Mervyn St, Newtown, sold for $1.225m

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“Beautiful period-style homes go all the way up the street and a lovely development is across the road. 660sq m is an opportunity for a family to come here, renovate the home and extend it if you wanted.”

The property was listed with $1.15m to $1.25m price hopes.

Later, a first-home buyer emerged with a signed contract as the clinker brick home at 64 Saffron St was sold publicly for just the second time in more than 60 years.

Family members of the original owners who built the three-bedroom house in 1960 were the first to look through the property on Saturday, before interested parties filed in ahead of the auction.

64 Saffron St, Newtown, sold for $920,000.

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64 Saffron St, Newtown, sold for $920,000.

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Four bidders raised a hand after the bidding opened for $750,000.

The property, which was offered with an $850,000 to $900,000 price range, sold for $920,000.

The first-time buyer intends to renovate the home, which has two bathrooms and a north-facing backyard.

Mr Cortous said it was a solid home that offered a big opportunity.

“They don’t come around often at under $1m in these pockets,” he said.

64 Saffron St, Newtown, sold for $920,000.

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64 Saffron St, Newtown, sold for $920,000.

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“This is heart of blue-chip Newtown. Cafes, restaurants, boutique shopping, everything is right here.

“It’s got the lot – you can park the car and enjoy the spoils of the location. There is an opportunity to renovate the existing home and add some value to the property.

“There is an opportunity to update what it already existing – a nice big open-plan kitchen and meals area, three bedrooms with the master having a walk-in robe and ensuite.”