In Maroubra, one bidder donning a number seven paddle kept her bids to $7k, prompting the agent to declare, "I should have given you my highest paddle number!"

Across the nation, Australia's auction market is warming up again, with volumes on the rise and clearance rates continuing their solid streak above the 70 percent mark.

Picture perfect clash ends with $2.2m Malvern sale and a portrait from the heart

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A cold but sun-drenched winter morning set the scene for a tightly fought auction at 1181-1183 Malvern Road, where a quirky, gallery-fronted Victorian drew a discerning crowd of 15 to 20. The freestanding, solid-brick home sold under the hammer for $2.2 million, after spirited $20,000 bidding bursts between two determined women.

"It's such a unique offering," said RT Edgar listing agent Chelsie Cargill. "No heritage overlay, so developers were circling, but in the end it went to someone with a real creative vision."

That someone was a Melbourne-based chef, who plans to convert the distinctive gallery shopfront into a florist shop. Previously home to local artist Pauline Courtney, the sunlit frontage has long served as one of the area's most recognisable creative spaces. In a poignant gesture after the gavel fell, Courtney presented the new owner with a portrait she had painted of a Hong Kong chef.

Set on 432 square metres with laneway access and a north-facing backyard, the property blends business potential with easy family living. Beyond high fences, the single-level residence flows from three bedrooms and a study to open-plan living, a luxe kitchen and a spa-framed courtyard. A red-brick stable at the rear, replete with mezzanine and split system heating, adds further creative flexibility.

Cargill said around 30 groups came through during the campaign, most drawn by the location, light and scope. "It's not just a house, it's a personality. Buyers really responded to that."

"I should have given you my highest paddle number!" Maroubra agent jokes as paddle number sparks playful bidding war

In a sun-drenched auction that started slow but ended with a smile, a two-bedroom apartment at 8/283 Maroubra Road sold under the hammer for $1.175 million, with one bidder's paddle number adding a cheeky twist to the final moments.

Tucked to the rear of the boutique 'Lisieux' complex, the light-filled Sydney apartment attracted around 30 onlookers to the onsite event. NG Farah listing agent Mark Feerick said bidding opened at $980,000 and took time to build momentum. "It was very slow to get to $1 million," he said, noting that three parties competed before one dropped out early due to incomplete arrangements.

A pause at $1 million gave bidders a breather before a "ping-pong" of offers between the final two pushed the price upward. One bidder, whose paddle number was seven, continued to place $7,000 bids throughout the auction. As the gavel was about to fall, she added a final $7,000 bid to stretch the result. "I joked with her that I should've given her my highest paddle number," Feerick laughed.

The winning bidder was a local investor, while the seller, "absolutely wrapt," had initially been nervous about the potential outcome. "They were laughing together after the auction and even had a photo taken," said Feerick. "It was just one of those auctions where everything felt good."

With Maroubra Beach, Pacific Square and local schools nearby, the updated apartment promises a laid-back lifestyle, with sunlight, space and a touch of charm.

Bundled in the cold, bidders heat up Garden Street auction

A frosty Warrnambool morning didn't stop the action at 46 Garden Street, where fifty determined onlookers crowded close for warmth and a front-row seat to a fiery three-way bidding war.

The updated two-bedroom home exceeded expectations, selling at the top of the range for the street, finishing above $600,000. The result capped off what agent Tessa Stephens described as a "brilliant auction", driven by fierce competition and the undeniable appeal of the renovation.

"It was absolutely freezing," Stephens said. "But no one moved. They huddled together and stuck it out, and it was worth it."

The property, freshly overhauled by its vendors, drew praise for its liveability and layout. Its elevated position and peaceful setting were complemented by light-filled interiors, neutral finishes and a clever floor plan that promotes cross-ventilation and flow.

With three active bidders in play, the crowd was treated to a tight contest, which ultimately saw the home fall to a delighted buyer who recognised the care behind the transformation. Stephens said the vendors were equally thrilled.

"They were happy and relieved," she said. "It's always nice when someone else sees the value in the work you've done."

"Everyone was happy," Stephens said. "That's the best kind of sale."

A total of 1,574 homes went under the hammer across the combined capitals this past week, nudging 9.9 percent higher than the week prior, though still sitting 11.4 percent below the same week in 2023. According to Cotality research director Tim Lawless, preliminary clearance rates climbed to 74.4 percent, up from 72.2 percent the previous week. While last week's figure was eventually revised to 68 percent, it still marked the highest finalised result since March. This week's preliminary figure is the second highest so far in 2025, just behind the late-June peak of 74.5 percent.

Melbourne led the volume surge, hosting 678 auctions, a rise from 628 the week before. The clearance rate there jumped to 76.7 percent, the city's strongest preliminary result since May last year.

Sydney held 587 auctions, up from 556 a week ago. Preliminary clearance slipped slightly to 74.8 percent, down from 76.2 percent, but remained firmly above the 70 percent line for the sixth consecutive week.