Mentone villa auction result hits $1.2m
A Mentone villa fetched $1.2m at auction, leaving its sellers “blown away” after fierce bidding between downsizers and young couples.
When Andrew Murray bought a tired Mentone villa in 2017, he never imagined it would one day sell for $1.2m, a result so strong he says it felt like winning the lottery.
The three-bedroom home at 3/77 Patty St, which he and his wife transformed into a family haven, sold under the hammer on Saturday after a fierce four-way bidding battle.
Ray White Bayside Group director Kevin Chokshi opened the auction at $950,000 — the bottom of the $950,000-$995,000 price guide — before the price quickly pushed north.
Two young couples and two downsizers competed for the keys, with the final stretch coming down to a pair of downsizers.
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A local buyer already living in Mentone ultimately secured the property.
The auction drew a strong neighbourhood crowd, spilling into the street as onlookers cheered each rise in price.
Bidding moved confidently in $10,000 lots before the pace quickened near the million-dollar mark.
“I thought if we could get $1m for this one it would be good, but to get $1.2m was incredible,” Mr Chokshi said.
“The sellers were blown away, they felt like they won the lottery.”
The SMEG-appointed stone-bench kitchen was a major draw for buyers chasing turnkey living.
Open-plan dining flows onto the courtyard, perfect for family meals and entertaining.
Mr Chokshi said the campaign was one of the strongest in months, attracting 21 groups through the first inspection and even drawing a week-two offer of $940,000.
“In the last three months I’ve had more pre-auction offers than in the previous 12 months combined,” he said.
The villa’s appeal lay in its street-front position, rare oversized double garage and full renovation, including a stone-bench kitchen with SMEG appliances, a skylit bathroom with freestanding tub, and a private courtyard.
Light-filled lounge became the heart of the Murray family’s first home.
Skylit bathroom with freestanding tub and double vanity added spa-like appeal.
For Mr Murray, the home’s living area was the heart of family life.
“One of the bedrooms has been a study, a nursery and a bedroom again — each chapter of our family’s life has played out in that room,” he said.
The courtyard also became a stage for barbecues, Christmas lunches and summer evenings with friends.
On weekends, the family often walked to the beach or nearby cafes, a lifestyle Mr Murray said made Mentone special.
Cheltenham will gain a Suburban Rail Loop stop, cutting travel times to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs including Monash and Deakin Universities Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority
The $35b SRL project includes a station opposite Westfield Southland. Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Located close to schools, shops, and public transport, the property also sits in a corridor set to benefit from the Suburban Rail Loop.
Tunnel boring for SRL East is expected to start in early 2026, with the first of four giant tunnel boring machines arriving at the end of this year in Clarinda and Burwood.
Trains are forecast to run by 2035.
“Big infrastructure definitely adds value,” Mr Murray said.
“For young families and professionals, better connections across the city make Mentone even more desirable.”
The private courtyard hosted Christmas lunches, barbecues and long summer evenings.
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