Clearance Rates Hit New Highs In Sydney

Covering off the last weekend of summer, clearance rates from around the country’s top markets were high this weekend, as Sydney reported a record weekend clearance rate of 90.0% – higher than the previous weekend’s 87.3% and the 85.8% reported for the same weekend last year.

Sydney recorded a median price for houses sold at auction on the weekend of $1,645,000, lower than last weekend’s $1,692,500 but 14.2% higher than the $1,440,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

Sydney’s Central Coast, North West, Northern Beaches and Upper North Shore fared best, with the city’s West performing weakest with an albeit solid 82.1%. Units cleared slightly below that of houses at 88.9%.

Melbourne also continued to recover from its recent lockdown reporting its highest clearance rate for three weeks of 82.0%, higher than the previous weekend’s figure of 79.6% and the 80.4% reported over the same weekend last year with a median price of $1,002,500.

Encouragingly for Melbourne, auction numbers again increased sharply to 1211 compared to the previous weekend’s 1004. However, listing numbers have still fallen from last year’s figures of 1384 for the same weekend last year.

Sydney featured 734 auctions this weekend compared to last year’s 911.

Around the country, Brisbane saw a clearance rate of 73.4%, down from last week’s 83.0% but up on last year’s 65.8%. Adelaide was reasonably steady at 85% from last week’s 87.5% and up on last year’s 71.1% while Canberra was also consistent performing at 85.9% from last week’s 85.2% and up from 70.3.%

Data powered by Dr Andrew Wilson of MyHousingMarket.com.au

A Mid-Century Modern home in Carmel, California, hit the market on Friday for just the third time in 70 years with a listing price of $4.25 million.

Located in the community of Carmel Highlands, the house is just steps from the coastline and comes with private beach access, according to the listing with Tim Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty in Northern California. Allen was not immediately available for comment.

The property last changed hands in 2010 when Hollywood screenwriter Richard Outten bought it for $990,000, public records show. Outten penned the screenplays for the 1992 movie “Pet Sematary Two” and the 1987 film “Lionheart,” and created the story for the 2012 “Journey to the Center of the Earth” sequel, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He was not immediately available for comment.

Built in 1953, the home’s mid-century charm has been preserved over the years while still being updated for modern living. Interior details include wood paneling, exposed-brick walls and beamed ceilings.

The single-level house has 1,785 square feet, which includes three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Though not directly on the water, large windows flanking the adobe-brick, wood-burning fireplace look out at the ocean.

Sliding glass doors create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. Outside, there’s a large patio surrounded by lush landscaping, and there are also meandering paths through sustainable succulent gardens, according to the listing.

In addition to its close proximity to the beach, the home is a 10-minute walk from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.

As of July, the median list price in Carmel is $3.1 million, up 8% from last year, even as active listings have increased 50% year over year, according to data from Realtor.com.

Clearance Rates Hit New Highs In Sydney

With the median house price sold in the Harbour City tipping $1.6 million.

Owned by Richard Outten, who’s penned screenplays for films including “Pet Sematary Two” and “Lionheart,” this is only the third time the home has been on the market