It creates competition

Auctions can create a competitive bidding environment. Interested buyers might stretch themselves in competitive environments to purchase their dream home. In fact, this can be the biggest driver in achieving your premium price. Remember: competition fuels emotion.

Related: How to bid at an auction

Vendors are protected by the reserved price

The vendor sets the reserve price with the agent prior to the auction and you don’t have to sell unless the reserve is met or you’re happy with the highest bid.

Unconditional contract

Once the hammer folds, the buyer is bound to an unconditional contract and an immediate exchange will take place. The auction method is one of the most transparent ways to sell real estate. Buyers can see exactly who they’re competing against and vendors can witness firsthand what the market is prepared to pay for their property.

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Kylie has just moved to Ivanhoe and was wondering what part of the suburb she could start exploring. Despite sharing a name with a famous Aussie pop star, Kylie’s life is not as vibrant as other 20-something girls like her tend to be. It’s not that she frowns upon the spectacle that social media has to offer or the throbbing allure of the Melbourne nightlife. No. That’s not how it is. Kylie prefers the quiet character of humble Victoria and what its high culture has in store. Kylie finds enjoyment in visiting specialty stores.

And that is something that Ivanhoe can deliver. 

If you’re visiting the suburb or already living there but have yet to catch a change of scene, these three specialty stores might just be something you can fancy.

Caffe Strada

Seen by many as the best coffee in all of Ivanhoe, Caffe Strada also serves a variety of food that is traditionally European. 

Apart from that, Caffe Strada offers catering services for parties and events. The cafe serves up a range of pastries, cakes, and other savory foods expertly made by its team of chefs. But what gets the attention of its patrons is Caffe Strada’s 100% Gluten-Free menu.

Voyager Music & Video

A relic of its time but still going strong, Ivanhoe’s Voyager Music & Video is a shop that sells new DVDs and Blu-Rays and used ones for low prices. 

The store boasts not only of its somewhat dated offerings but also its efficient and amiable service. It is the only rental DVD store to still be standing in Ivanhoe and among the few in the entirety of Melbourne. The store allows its patrons to listen to music privately before purchasing an album–something that hits right at the nostalgia. 

If you’re looking for a semblance of how the music and video industry once was, then Voyager Music & Video is the place to be.

Chocolatier Australia

Established by brothers David and John Grisold in 1985, what is known today as Chocolatier Australia was then called, “Diamond Creek Chocolate Company.” The brothers were inspired to set up shop in light of their influence while growing up in a family that manufactured food for the hospitality industry. David and John decided to make premium, designer chocolates for airlines and top-tier hotels in the country.

While staying loyal to the hospitality sector, the product range evolved to include chocolates for Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day.

So there you have it, three specialty shops in Ivanhoe that are simply too interesting to pass up. If you happen to be in the suburb looking for alternative ways to amuse yourself, we recommend that you check these stores out.  Or perhaps having these specialty stores around is the ultimate deciding factor to move to this suburb. Give us a call at + 61 3 9486 2000 and let’s discuss your requirements!

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Northcote is a trendy suburb especially appealing to young professionals because of its vibrant vibe. But apart from the bars and restaurants, especially in High Street, Northcote also offers a variety of family-friendly activities. In this blog, we have enumerated some of them:

• marvel at the amazing art pieces in Art Projects Australia
• watch a magic show at The Laneway Theatre
• have an afternoon barbecue at All Nations Park

Marvel at the amazing art pieces in Art Projects Australia

The studio gallery promotes the works of artists with intellectual disabilities. The art pieces are entered into exhibitions, art prizes and awards. Aspiring artists are encouraged to explore their creativity and formulate their own drawing and painting approach through printmaking, ceramics, digital photography, digital imaging, animation, 3D sculpture, and professional practice. Aside from fostering individual creative projects, they also do professional development programs in forms of field trips, skills workshops, collaborative projects, etc.

Watch a magic show at The Laneway Theatre

Another fun-filled activity in Northcote is watching a magic show by Tim Ellis at The Laneway Theatre. People who have watched the show only have positive things to say about Tim and his ability to keep the audience engaged from the beginning until the end of the show.

Have an afternoon barbecue at All Nations Park

Aside from being a nice park to walk around, All Nations Park at Northcote is also wide enough for an afternoon barbecue. Kids and adults have plenty of space to move around. All Nations Park is pet-friendly too so you can definitely include your furry friends in your afternoon barbecue.

At present, Northcote is one of the most sought-after suburbs in Victoria. This is not surprising as Northcote residents are very vocal about how good their neighbourhood amenities are. The suburb is known for its great internet access, public transport, parks and recreation, medical facilities and of course, lifestyle and entertainment options.

Are you looking into buying or selling a property in Northcote? Let us discuss your plans through northcote@collings.com.au or simply fill out our contact form and we’ll quickly get back to you.

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Northcote is known for its diverse array of restaurants, shops, and attractions. But one of the best things to do in Northcote is visit one of its many farmer’s markets! 

Farmer’s markets are a great way to support local businesses, get fresh produce and other goods at reasonable prices, and, in Northcote’s case, enjoy the unique atmosphere of the vibrant neighborhood. Here are three farmer’s markets in Northcote you should check out:

• The Local Market Co-Op
• The Northcote Community Farmers Market
• The Northcote Social Club

The Local Market Co-Op 

Every Sunday morning from 9 am-1 pm the Local Market Co-Op is open on High Street just north of St Georges Road. Here, you will find fresh produce from local farmers as well as artisanal goods from local makers. 

Whether you’re looking for organic vegetables or handmade jewelry, this is the farmer’s market for you! Plus, buyers enjoy the live performances of musicians and the numerous food trucks that serve up delicious food. 

So if you find yourself at the end of the weekend with nothing to do, go visit the Local Market Co-Op and have a good time.

The Northcote Community Farmers Market

This market opens every Saturday morning from 8 am-12 pm on the Northcote Town Hall grounds. 

The Northcote Community Farmers Market may be smaller than The Local Market Co-Op but that doesn’t mean there’s less to see.

At the Northcote Community Farmers Market, you can find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as locally-produced honey, eggs, bread, and pastries. 

The Northcote Community Farmers Market also offers workshops throughout the year so you can learn more about sustainable living and growing food at home.

The Northcote Social Club 

If Saturdays aren’t convenient for your schedule, then check out the weekly farmers market at the Northcote Social Club every Thursday from 4 pm-8 pm. 

The Northcote Social Club sells all kinds of goodies including organic meats, artisan cheeses, jams, and preserves. On top of that, regular food trucks grace the venue to provide for hungry shoppers. 

But the fun does not stop there! Take advantage of the Northcote Social Club’s Happy Hour specials while you’re there.

There is Never a Dull Moment at These Farmer’s Markets

Whether you’re looking for fresh produce or artisanal goods made by local makers, Northcote offers these 3 farmer’s markets for residents and visitors to explore. 

With the Local Market Co-Op’s live music performances, the workshops offered at the Northcote Community Farmers Market, and the Happy Hour specials at Northcote Social Club’s weekly market, visitors are never left with any dull moment.

So next time you’re in town, be sure to visit these amazing farmer’s markets in Northcote. You won’t regret it!

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Wellness has become central to our lives of us. And this is not surprising given the demand for genuine rest and repose from the almost unforgiving speed of daily living.

Clifton Hill provides the venue for clinics that serve the cause. And serve it well these clinics do. Let us take a look at three facilities that are among the ones that render the best wellness services within the suburb.

Wellness Medicine

While it operates as a GP, Integrative Medicine is at the core of Wellness Medicine’s service. Catering to various patients struggling with chronic conditions that challenge the General Practice model. The facility offers Integrative Medicine as spearheaded by Wellness Medicine founder, Dr. Joanna Hickey.

Patients can easily access Wellness Medicine by either car or public transport.

If you’re interested in making an appointment with Wellness Medicine you can call them at (03) 9489 7955 or drop them an email at info@wellnessmedicine.com.au. You can also make a personal visit to 41 Queens Parade.

Body Osteopathy Clifton Hill

The Body Osteopathy Clifton Hill is a wellness facility centered on recovery through the restoration of mobility of the physically challenged so they can reintegrate seamlessly into life. 

As the name suggests, the facility offers Osteopathy, Cupping, and Dry Needling. On top of that, the experts also provide exercise advice.

Want to schedule a session with Body Osteopathy? You can visit them at 107 Queens Parade, ring them at 0434 292 751, or send an email through bodyosteo@gmail.com.

 Body Align Myotherapy & Massage Clifton Hill, Melbourne

As the name suggests, the professionals at Body Align Myotherapy & Massage are experts in soft tissue treatment. The clinic has been providing Myotherapy and Massage in the suburb for over a decade.

Interested in making an appointment with Body Align Myotherapy & Massage? You can visit them at 107 Queens Parade, or call them at (03) 9489 7511. You can also send them an email through contact@bodyalignmyotherapy.com.au or book one online.

These three facilities provide Clifton Hill residents with the most reliable and trustworthy wellness offerings in the area. If you happen to be in the suburbs and in need of care or health-related services, you might want to check these clinics out.  

Overall wellness is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. The suburb can only be as healthy as its residents. Having readily accessible facilities like this says so much about how important wellness is to the people it serves.

Is this a factor that you are looking into before purchasing a property? Or perhaps you are interested in selling your investment property – reach out to us and our Clifton Hill real estate agents will assist you with your requirements. Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000

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Originally planned to sell via auction method, Fedja Bilic and the whole Collings Real Estate team behind the campaign of 331 Victoria Road, Thornbury turned “passed in” into “another possibility.” With the highest bid still below the reserve price, Fedja assured the vendors that although the Auction may have been unsuccessful, the property would still sell. The method of sale was then changed from auction to private negotiation after careful consideration.

Instantly, the Art Deco Style residence may look appealing to first time homebuyers, professionals or investors considering its features. But through the eyes of an experienced real estate agent, the angles and possibilities are endless.

“Throughout the campaign, the property was tenanted. In most cases, we don’t advise our vendors to sell the property with the tenant in there. However, we did believe that the demographic of the buyers we were going to be targeting is most likely developers or someone looking to transform the property into their dream home. Having a tenant in there would then be advantageous while waiting for their plans and permits.” said Fedja.

This approach hit two birds with one stone: the vendor maximising their rental return while attracting the best candidates for the property. Everyone is aware of how crucial time is in selling a property. And so after counting 60 days before the end of lease, the campaign was launched to ensure flexibility if an owner occupier purchased to provide the opportunity to purchase with vacant possession. 

It helped that the professionally photographed areas of the property were uploaded to real estate marketing platforms for the targeted demographic to see. According to Fedja, the property was marketed across realestate.com.au as well as domain.com.au where it reached approximately 5,000 people. To reach its maximum potential views, Collings Real Estate also ran a social media marketing campaign where they reached an additional 16,000 people. The photos of the property garnered approximately 21,000 online views in total.

These views translated into 43 buyers through the doors. One lucky purchaser finally bought the property after a couple of days of negotiation. The offer was $1,215,000 which the vendor was happy to accept.

This particular case speaks so much of how being sharp-witted is important in selling properties. While we all know that theories and applications can be learned through reading and observation, it’s only through experiences that actual skills can be honed over time.

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Extra costs

Make sure you’re leaving enough room for water rates, council rates and potential strata fees.

Having a reasonable budget

Having a reasonable budget means that you’ll be prepared for the other costs involved in owning the property as previously mentioned.

Arranging insurance

Just like owning a car, it is important that you will arrange insurance on your property.

Clouded judgement

Many purchases rush into a decision due to clouded judgement. Make sure that you read over the necessary documents and do your due diligence before purchasing a property.

Looking for further readings about this topic? Read up on our blog about choosing between buying now or waiting.

For more videos like this, head on to our official Youtube channel.

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Fairfield is a fairly small suburb sitting 6 kms far from Melbourne CBD. Fairfield is extremely walkable. Although it’s small in land area, this oddly-shaped suburb is the home to many urban professionals. 

What are the lifestyle shops that you should head to whenever you’re in Fairfield? We’ve shortlisted specialty shops with the highest-rated reviews:

5 Elements Boutique

5 Elements Boutique is a small clothing shop that offers clothing labels such as M.A. Dainty, Once Was, Elm Lifestyle and many more. Women shop here because of the wide range of clothing but what makes them come back is the shop’s customer service. The staff are generous in giving fashion advice and genuinely care about the shoppers. Hard selling doesn’t exist in their vocabulary, just pure honest opinion.

Fossil Vintage Furniture

Running their business since the 30s, Fossil Vintage Furniture has surely mastered its craft of sourcing the best vintage pieces there is. The shop is considered to be one of Australia’s premiere vintage and industrial furniture sellers. Each piece sold by Fossil Vintage Furniture is hand-selected for its individuality, style, and quality. 

Ili

Shopping for clothes is one of the best or worst feeling in the world depending on where you choose to do it. At Ili, every shopper is warmly welcomed by the attentive staff. Their fashion advice is tailored to your body shape and preference. Ili is also very active in social media. Their website always is updated with their latest catalog but it’s always a joy to visit the shop and try the clothes in person. 

Fairfield Books

This independent bookstore at Fairfield is a gem for bookworms! They stock an extensive range of books; from best sellers to obscure ones. If they don’t have the book in stock, they will go the extra mile to source the book for you. 

Shoe Image

Shoe Image is a family-run business in Fairfield existing for many decades now. Whether you are looking for women’s shoes, men’s shoes, or children’s shoes, they always have something that will suit your preference. The owner is very knowledgeable when it comes to giving out advice on size, model and color so it’s almost impossible to walk out of the store empty-handed.

Fairfield doesn’t boast of large shopping malls and supermarket chains. But that is an advantage to local shops as their businesses thrive with the support of residents and visitors. The success of the local shops in Fairfield is a testament to what the suburb is like as a community: small but tight-knit.

Are you looking into buying or selling a property in Fairfield? Let our Fairfield real estate agents guide you through your real estate journey. Get in touch with us through our contact form and let us discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you may also shoot us an email at northcote@collings.com.au or call us directly at +61 3 9486 2000

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