A crowd of more than 130 packed 28 Jenkens St, Frankston North, where a just-engaged couple outbid 11 rivals to snap up the renovated home for $852,000.
A string of knockout bids and a roaring crowd helped this Frankston North fixer-upper fly to $852,000 under the hammer, but most bidders never stood a chance.
More than 130 people lined the street at 28 Jenkens St as the three-bedroom home, with a $645,000-$709,500 range, shot past its price guide from the very first bid and left all but a handful of hopefuls behind.
The eventual buyers, a just-engaged Australian-Sri Lankan couple were among 12 registered bidders but emerged victorious after a string of aggressive offers cleared out the field.
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OBrien Real Estate Frankston director Mark Burke said the auction was “just electric”.
“The street was completely packed, cars trying to get through, neighbours out, buyers lined up, and a coffee van adding to the buzz,” Mr Burke said.
“It felt like a real event. I’ve not seen that kind of energy since the last boom, and that was 2022.”
Polished and light-filled, the living area at 28 Jenkens St showcased the vendor’s eye for design, helping drive intense buyer interest at auction.
The home’s new timber deck and private outdoor zone added major lifestyle appeal, a key drawcard for the first-home buyers who won the auction.
Mr Burke said the home’s appeal came down to a perfect storm of quality renovations, secure gated frontage, and a prime street that was about 80 per cent owner-occupied.
Sellers Michael and Molly styled the home themselves while living in it.
“Kitchens, bathrooms, presentation, it was all spot on,” Mr Burke said.
Frankston North’s winter market sizzled as 12 bidders vied for the keys, while neighbours and onlookers lined the street to watch the action unfold.
Stone benchtops, a stainless-steel fit-out and a warm neutral palette gave the renovated kitchen standout appeal, ready for the next chapter.
“They were over the moon with the result, honestly pinching themselves.”
Ni Advocacy director and buyers agent Kevin Ni also attended the auction and initially tried to buy the home for a client, but pulled back once bidding hit the $800,000 mark.
“We had priced it around $760,000-$790,000 based on comparable sales, but it absolutely smashed expectations,” Mr Ni said.
“This shows that if a home presents beautifully and has strong street appeal, people — especially first-home buyers — will stretch to secure it.”
The fully landscaped 604sq m block featured a lush lawn, veggie beds and fruit trees, all staged to perfection by the sellers, one a professional landscaper.
A fully tiled bathroom with shower-over-bath added to the home’s move in ready appeal, contributing to its standout auction result above $850,000.
According to property records, Mr Burke already set the Frankston North suburb record earlier this year with a four-bedroom home at 10-11 Timbertop Ave, which sold for $950,500 in April.
Mr Ni said demand in the suburb had lifted thanks to low stock levels, rising confidence, and interest from buyers priced out of neighbouring Frankston.
Each of the three bedrooms included built-in robes and soft carpets with the thoughtful layout making it ideal for young families.
“Frankston North has historically underperformed, but we’re now seeing momentum, especially with proximity to the beach, gentrification, and improved amenities around the hospital precinct,” he said.
Mr Burke estimated parts of Frankston North had surged 27 to 30 per cent in the past year, some of the sharpest growth he’d seen in decades.
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