Buyers have big plans for inner Geelong house

Police had cordoned off the Gladstone St property over concerns a box, discovered when the home was being cleaned out to prepare it for sale, contained explosives. Picture: Mark Wilson

Real estate agents resisted the temptation to use the well-worn property term “renovate or detonate” for an original Hamlyn Heights house, despite the owner’s family calling in the police over concerns a box, discovered when the property was being cleared out, contained explosives.

The police bomb response unit was called to the Gladstone St property in June when the old box apparently labelled dynamite was discovered.

The box had been uncovered as family members cleared the property prior to it going on the market.

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The three-bedroom house at 3 Gladstone St, Hamlyn Heights, sold for $720,000.

The long-forgotten box ultimately contained fish aquarium equipment, it can be revealed.

But the commotion had well and truly passed when three bidders contested Saturday’s auction for the three-bedroom weatherboard house, which sold for $720,000.

A young family has grand plans to renovate and extend the original weatherboard house.

Buxton, Newtown agent Josh Carter had listed the three-bedroom house with $600,000 to $660,000 price expectations.

“All three were showing interest to occupy and add value and further extend and make really good use of the block,” Mr Carter said.

The home shows its age with a mid-century kitchen surrounding an older original wood stove.

The three-bedroom house at 3 Gladstone St, Hamlyn Heights, sold for $720,000.

“It’s in a flat position in Hamlyn Heights, which is pretty difficult to obtain sometimes.

“A really quiet streetscape and a really tightly-held street surrounded by homes that have all the value added to them, whether that was through further renovation or extension, or complete rebuild.”

Mr Carter said the buyers would be relocating from Melbourne.

“They’ve had aspirations to get here before their kids start school,” Mr Carter said.

“They’re going to put their foot to the floor and get in and start a build pretty much straight away.”

The property’s deep back yard allowed the opportunity to renovate and extend the house.

Mr Carter said the wide block afforded the opportunity to add a garaging and extend the house to the rear.

The vendors had owned the house since the 1950s when it was a skillion cottage and was further extended in the 1960s.

Mr Carter said the buyers had missed out on a property in Geelong West and had also been searching in neighbouring Herne Hill.

“I think the fact they could come to Hamlyn Heights, it’s five minutes down the road on a nice big clock with a great house that could be serviced well by any renovation they do.

For schools it’s obviously handy for them.”

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