2 days ago
What made this $1.34m Cheltenham home irresistible
A young family has swapped their inner-city apartment for a slice of suburban serenity, snapping up a charming Cheltenham home with a pool and attic retreat for $1.34m following a hotly contested auction.
The buyers, upgrading from Southbank, beat out three other active bidders for the four-bedroom weatherboard at 18 Goulburn St, lured by the home's move-in-ready charm, family-friendly layout, and outdoor entertaining appeal.
Lewin Real Estate Kingston/Bayside principal Brian Lewin said the result capped off a strong four-week campaign that drew 40 groups through the door.
'We had five serious contenders, and four of them competed on the day,' Mr Lewin said.
'It kicked off at $1.1m and built strong momentum from there.
'The family that bought it are absolutely thrilled, they were looking for more space, and this one ticked every box.'
Set on 499sq m, the home pairs period character with modern comfort, featuring an open-plan living and dining zone, a family-sized kitchen, Coonara wood fireplace, and a large undercover alfresco deck.
Upstairs, a vast attic conversion offers space for a fourth bedroom, retreat or work-from-home hub, while outside, a solar-heated, salt-chlorinated pool headlines the backyard.
Mr Lewin said the combination of location, lifestyle and liveability hit the mark for multiple buyer types.
'Goulburn St is one of those tightly held pockets with a real sense of community,' he said.
'You've got Southland up the road, Cheltenham Secondary zoning, and every family amenity you could want.
'There's real value in these mid-$1m homes right now, especially when they've got something extra like a pool or space to grow.'
The Lewin Real Estate principal said the home's buyer activity also reflects a broader market trend emerging across Melbourne's middle-ring suburbs, buyers acting decisively ahead of the traditional spring surge.
'Stock levels in Cheltenham are very low, and that's creating strong competition. We're seeing buyer numbers increase, and I'd estimate the market's lifted by seven to eight per cent in the past couple of months,' Mr Lewin said.
'If that next rate cut lands, or even if buyers just believe it's coming, that urgency will only build.'
While some sellers are holding off until spring, Mr Lewin said conditions were already leaning in their favour.
'There's less competition right now for sellers and more eyes on every listing,' he said.
'Once spring hits, more homes will flood the market, but now, you've got motivated buyers and tight supply.
'That's a great window to sell in.'
