An 1855 bluestone conversion on 2.9ha has set a house price record in Winchelsea. Built as a home for the local Church of England minister, ‘The Old Vicarage’ at 5 Batson Street fetched an eye-watering $1.9 million at auction on September 9.

The Surf Coast Shire property attracted four bidders who pushed the price well above  the $1.45 million reserve, Buxton Highton director David Gray said. The huge premium of nearly $500,000 was achieved because of the property’s  riverfront location, heritage features and potential, according to Mr Gray.

“There is nothing comparable to it and such a unique listing deserves a strong result,” he said.

“Plus there is high demand for bluestone properties.” 

The auction started slowly with a $1 million bid but continued with strong $50,000 and $100,000 increments before the property was called on the market. “Then a dark horse bidder emerged and helped push the price to $1.9 million, which the seller likened to winning the lottery,” Mr Gray said. The buyers who  fell in love with it were downsizing from a 40-acre property to be closer to family. The owners who  bought the property decades earlier for $237,000 have since bought a home in Geelong through Buxton as well.

Meanwhile, Buxton Box Hill posted a 100 per cent clearance rate from six auctions the same day. The office has maintained a clearance rate of 96 per cent so far this year, agency director and auctioneer Calvin Chan,

Among its top results was 16 Menzies Street, Box Hill, which sold for $1.46 million from a $1.32 million reserve, in a six-bidder contest. The renovated weatherboard house features an unusual floorplan that includes an outdoor laundry with a separate toilet and a shower. “We market our properties using social media and real estate portals,” Mr Chan said. “And this house attracted several interested buyers, including owner-occupiers and those looking to knock down and rebuild.”

Another strong auction was at 31 Fairway Road, Doncaster,  which sold for $1.765 million or more than $100,000 above the reserve. 

In Docklands, one of the suburb’s highest sales in 2023 was achieved with a townhouse at 58 South Wharf Drive. The tri-level home sold at the top of its $5.7-$6.1 million price guide, and had interest from several buyers, Buxton Port Melbourne agent Nancy Yang said. Sale records showed the property previously sold in 2016 for $4.25 million.

“We have a wide buyer reach, including from the bayside suburbs,” she said. The buyer was looking for a larger home in the area, she added. The result was a price record for the office and among the suburb’s top results in recent years.