A Williamstown home that last sold for just $136,000 in 1994 has now fetched $1.89m at auction, marking the biggest Melbourne sale for the long weekend.
A Williamstown family home sold for just $136,000 in 1994 has fetched $1.89m under the hammer last weekend.
The sale reflects a remarkable 30-year price shift in what is now one of Melbourne’s most sought-after bayside suburbs and regarded as “bulletproof” by local market experts.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 20 Anzac Cres, Williamstown, hasn’t been on the market since the early 90s, when interest rates were in double digits and Williamstown was still shaking off its working-class roots.
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Three decades later, two families battled it out at auction before the hammer finally fell at a figure nearly 14 times what it last sold for.
Williams Real Estate director Michael Harvey said the strong result reflected both the home’s prime position and the continued strength of the Williamstown market, which he believed had defied broader economic conditions.
“This is one of the best pockets in Williamstown, and homes like this don’t come up often,” Mr Harvey said.
“The buyers were already locals, which says a lot — people don’t want to leave the area, and when they upgrade, they tend to stay close.”
The open-plan kitchen, designed for modern family living features sleek appliances, ample storage, and a spacious island bench perfect for entertaining.
An all-season outdoor entertaining space with a built-in concrete bar and adjustable blinds offers the perfect setting for gatherings year-round.
The auction opened with a $1.78m vendor bid, before one of the prospective buyers offered $1.79m to set the pace.
The price climbed in $10,000 and $5,000 increments before eventually landing at $1.89m, one of the strongest results in the suburb so far this year.
The house sits on 530sq m of land and features multiple living areas across two levels, a ground-floor main suite, a dedicated study, and an expansive back yard with a thriving market garden.
The lush backyard is home to a thriving garden filled with fruit trees, fresh herbs, and vegetables, adding to the home’s unique appeal.
The stylishly renovated bathroom features contemporary finishes, a frameless glass shower, and elegant tiling, blending luxury with functionality.
The outdoor entertaining area includes a concrete bar and a sheltered deck with adjustable blinds, designed to be used year-round.
Mr Harvey said demand for well-located family homes remained strong in Williamstown, despite recent market fluctuations.
“This suburb has always been bulletproof,” he said.
A dedicated home office with built-in storage and natural light, offering the ideal space for remote work or study.
The spacious lounge room is bathed in natural light, featuring polished floors and a seamless connection to the home’s open-plan layout.
“Even when the market dips, Williamstown holds firm, and when things start moving again, this is one of the first areas to pick up.
“I’d expect to see prices continue to rise, especially for homes like this.”
Williamstown’s median house price now sits at $1.6m, according to the latest data, up from around $800,000 in 2013.
The generously sized bedrooms, including a ground-floor master suite with an ensuite, provide comfort and privacy for the whole family.
The Williams Real Estate director said while values had eased slightly in some parts of Melbourne, high-quality homes in lifestyle-driven locations were still commanding premium prices.
The vendors, who had lived in the home for 30 years, were thrilled with the result, while the buyers — who will only move a few blocks away — were equally ecstatic.
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