Bidders love for bold Geelong renovation rewards sellers

The four-bedroom house at 128 Verner St, Geelong, sold for $1.245m at auction.

Renovating an old Californian bungalow in a neighbourhood backing on to Geelong’s busy rail corridor has paid dividends, even without the luxury of off-street parking.

The four-bedroom residence at 128 Verner St, Geelong sparked an auction battle between two bidders that finished $45,000 above the initial price hopes of $1.1m to $1.2m.

Gartland, Geelong agent Will Ainsworth said the house impressed the bidders and also had plenty of neighbours mulling their own renovations looking for inspiration.

The 337sq m property sold for $1.245m at Saturday’s auction.

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The bold extension wrapped around an outdoor entertaining space in the backyard.

The weatherboard facade was about that was worth saving when the vendors first came across the house in 2018.

But after a stylish renovation and extension, the owners and their family have enjoyed the fruits of their labour, working with Geelong Building Company to transform the home.

The rebuild included restumping and salvaged character features such as double-hung windows and timber floorboards.

The addition of a new open-plan living space at the rear is the game-changer, connecting the three-bedroom home to a private decked outdoor entertainment area and compact garden with convenient back lane access.

Curves are a recurring theme in the house, including the designer kitchen.

The dining area channels hip restaurant vibes at home.

“For a house with no off-street parking and almost backing on to the railway line it’s a pretty good result,” Mr Ainsworth said.

The two groups that fought for the property clearly fell in love with it, he said.

“I guess you can do your mutual-type renovation and hope to appease more people, but that doesn’t add the element of scarcity to it.

“This one really set these two groups off in particular, it was a great one.

“We had so many people come through who are thinking of renovating, or neighbours that have been watching them do it over the years.

The spacious main bedroom suite has traditional high ceilings and timber floorboards.

The ensuite features pastel tones.

“We just got so many compliments to the vendors for the good work they’ve done and the bold ideas they put in place.”

Mr Ainsworth said the property centre is the heart of the action, with GMHBA Stadium, the Barwon River and central Geelong all close by.

“Verner St has really come of age. Selling properties there 10 years ago had a little bit of a stigma to it about not being the best part of town. But you put a Verner St address on the market and certainly people’s ears prick up.

“And when you get houses like this and over the last 10 years you’ve gone from a lot of old, unrenovated houses like this, that helps bring the street up.”

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