The vendors had tried to negotiate a sale to a young man who made a pre-auction offer below the reserve. On Saturday, the auction resulted in a higher price from a different buyer.

The vendors had tried to negotiate a sale to a young man who made a pre-auction offer below the reserve. On Saturday, the auction resulted in a higher price from a different buyer.

The auction was over in minutes as two parties with very different strategies vied for the keys to a property that the auctioneer said would normally attract a higher price.

An upgrading couple hunted 18 months for a specific unit type. When they finally found one, the budget gave an added sweetener – reduced competition.