The veranda lounge at the Radisson Blu hotel was a hive of activity last Friday as local property expert DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard held its September auctions on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The new venue for the city based auctioneer’s auctions appeared to appeal to the 100-plus crowd assembled, with six of the seven lots brought to the auction floor selling that afternoon.
“We really have seen a change in the market in recent months,” said Alan Maxwell MRICS, MSCSI. “People have regained confidence and want to buy. We talk to a lot of buyers at our open viewings and the message we are getting is that they are ready and able to buy. Friday’s auction shows us that this isn’t just talk, people are ready to buy at realistic prices.”
Taking to the podium shortly after 3pm on Friday, auctioneer James Heaslip faced a packed auction room in the spacious surroundings of the Radisson Blu Hotel. The viewing audience was not confined to those present in the room but was augmented several times over by those watching the auction live online at dnggalway.ie and advertiser.ie
The first lot brought to the auction floor was No 5 The Elms, College Road. Situated at the Eyre Square end of College Road and adjacent to the main city bus depot, this superb two bedroom apartment measures almost 600sq ft and was guiding an AMV of €115,000 in the lead up to the auction. Recognising the value on offer, bidding soon commenced for No 5 with a number of bidders involved and moved swiftly past the AMV until reaching the final bid of €155,000, when auctioneer James Heaslip lowered the gavel and deemed the property sold.
Lot no 2 was No 1 St Nicholas’ Place, a three bed end of terrace house located in the city centre, between Merchants Road and The Docks. Recently renovated, this property enjoys the benefit of an enclosed rear yard and on-street parking. Having guided an AMV of €145,000 in the weeks prior to the auction, No 1 was withdrawn from the auction floor at the highest bid of €140,000, and negotiations to secure the sale continued after the auction.
Lot 3 was a detached house located in Brooklodge, Ballyglunin. This property came to market with a builder’s finish and guiding a hugely attractive AMV of €85,000. Offering the new owners the opportunity to put their own personal stamp on the finish of this property and create a beautiful family home, Brooklodge also proved popular on the auction floor. Bidding soon surpassed both the AMV and reserve prices, and continued until it reached the ultimate sale price of €115,000 and the property was sold.
Next up was the beautiful and spacious detached property located in Boleybeg, Barna. This superb family home set on a large site with landscaped gardens, a stylish fitted kitchen, and quality internal finish, proved extremely popular at open viewings, and on the auction floor. An intense period of bidding from a number of interested parties saw the property reach its reserve price, and bidding continued until it achieved a final sale price of €387,000.
Lot number 5 was the property located at the Curragreen, Coast Road. With spectacular views over Galway Bay, this property came to market in need of extensive renovation. The property also comes with full planning permission to build an architecturally designed house, providing the new owners with a choice of options. With a positive mood engulfing the auction room, auctioneer James Heaslip worked with the willing bidders in the room to swiftly extract bids up to the final and highest bid of €180,000, which having surpassed the reserve price, secured the sale of the property and the gavel was once again lowered.
No 113 Dun Aengus was lot no 6. This impressive two bedroom duplex, measuring c1,000sq ft, was again the subject of intense bidding with a number of interested parties keen to secure this valuable property. Guiding an AMV of €170,000, it was obvious that buyers recognised the value on offer here, which again was reflected in the intensity of bidding which continued until the final sale price of €217,000 was achieved.
The final lot of the day to be brought to the auction floor was an impressive large family home in Lackaghmore, Turloughmore. In immaculate condition, this property is already a beautiful family home, situated on a large spacious site and finished internally to a very high standard. With a very realistic AMV of €320,000, interest in this property prior to the auction was keen, however the property failed to meet its reserve on the auction floor and was withdrawn from sale. However as the assembled crowd dispersed from the Radisson Blu hotel, negotiations were ongoing in the auction room and before the auction team had finished de-branding the room, the sale of the property had been agreed.
Lots 8 and 9, a detached property in Corcullen and a parcel of land in Ballyglunin respectively, were both withdrawn prior to the auction. Further information on both lots is available by contacting the agents.
Commenting on the day’s proceedings, auctioneer James Heaslip said: “We are very happy with the day – we sold six out of our seven lots. Our vendors are happy and our buyers are happy, we achieved results and sold the properties, which is our ultimate aim.”
DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard is now gearing up for its next auctions, due to take place on November 8. For further information or to list your property, contact the auction team on 091 565261.
