The local couple beat two others for the double-fronted Victorian home in a rapid-fire auction amid a market slowdown elsewhere.

Seven bidders registered for the northern beaches townhouse, but bids were so slow that the agent almost passed it in. In the end, a first home buyer won the keys.

A three-bedroom home with heritage overlay, owned by the same family since 1972, sold at auction on Saturday after a fast-paced battle.

The local couple beat two others for the double-fronted Victorian home in a rapid-fire auction amid a market slowdown elsewhere.