They came from far and near to the Victoria Hotel last Friday where O’Donnellan & Joyce held its first spring auction after the winter recess. In a sense it was like the good old times of packed auction rooms, the only difference being that the prices achieved were somewhat lower than of old. However the owners of all three properties had set the advised minimum values very realistically which goes to prove that if the price is right the property will sell. In these times of doom and gloom there was a real air of euphoria in the room, and the final hammer came down on two of the three properties that were sold at the auction to applause from the packed room.
Auctioneer Colm O’Donnellan was at his very best — and as is his style he left no stone unturned in an effort to achieve the best possible price for his clients.
“There are people out there to buy and there are a lot of people looking for family homes,” said Colm O’Donnellan. “However it is all down to pricing, and if the vendors are realistic with their prices and are prepared to put their properties into the auction room with very reasonable reserves then it is highly likely that the property will sell. Auction is a wonderful method for selling a property as the contracts are signed on the day and one can be happy in the knowledge that the property is sold.”
The first property to be auctioned was a magnificent detached home, Orchard House in Stradbally East in Clarinbridge. With a guide price of €700,000 this would have seemed like tremendous value for a house of this calibre standing on c0.5 acre in a location like Stradbally. However with the first and subsequent bids coming in at €600,000 and €610,000 the property was withdrawn having not reached the reserve. It is now under serious negotiation.
Solicitor with carriage of sale for Orchard House is Dermot Kilfeather & Co, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, phone (091 ) 562037.
The second property to be auctioned was a detached bungalow in Furrymelia West in Barna. Enjoying wonderful views of Galway Bay, the hills of Clare, and the Aran Islands, the property stands on a superb site of c0.75 acre of landscaped gardens. With two people actively bidding on this property the hammer finally came down and it was sold for €530,000. Solicitor with carriage of sale: Breeda Tierney, Kieran Murphy & Co, 9 The Crescent, Galway, phone (091 ) 567171.
The final property to be auctioned and probably the property that attracted most of the huge crowd was 108 Liosmor on the Cappagh Road. This lovely three/four bedroom detached property ticked all the boxes for a large number of people including first time buyers, family home buyers, and in one or two cases buyers looking for a home to retire to. Advertised at €249,000 and with instructions from its owner to sell, the bidding commenced at €240,000 and after a period of intense bidding which resulted in three people being neck and neck the hammer finally came down and the property was sold for a staggering €330,000 and loud applause followed.
Solicitor with carriage of sale: James Seymore & Co Solicitors, 7 Monalee Manor, Knocknacarra, Galway, phone (091 ) 573875.
People wishing to put their properties up for auction with O’Donnellan & Joyce should contact Colm O’Donnellan on (087 ) 2887446 or Anne Harding on (086 ) 8173335, who will organise a meeting and go through the auction process with prospective sellers.
