Female auctioneers rewriting Melbourne auctions this spring

Melbourne’s next generation of auctioneers are reshaping the city’s property market with bold new strategies for buyers and sellers.

A new generation of female auctioneers are rewriting the rules of Melbourne’s property market, urging nervous buyers to bid early and confident sellers to lean on emotion as spring heats up.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s Novice Auctioneer of the Year finals, held this week, showcased a cohort of women stepping into a space long dominated by men, and offering fresh advice for buyers and vendors heading into the busiest selling season of the year.

Their rise comes as a family home in Essendon cracked $3.04m under the hammer this weekend, topping Melbourne’s results as five properties soared beyond $2.5m. Other headline deals included Glen Waverley ($3m), Balaclava ($2.63m), Brunswick East ($2.605m) and Sandringham ($2.596m).

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PropTrack recorded 394 results and 523 sales, with the city’s clearance rate holding at 73 per cent.

Jellis Craig Mentone & Chelsea’s Amanda Harrison said too many first-home buyers walk in unprepared.

“Pricing in Melbourne’s market can be confusing, some homes are underquoted to draw a crowd, others are ambitiously overpriced,” Ms Harrison said.
“If buyers haven’t studied comparable sales, they’re flying blind. Knowledge is power, and walking in prepared gives you clarity and confidence under pressure.”

REIV Novice Auctioneer of the Year finalists Alejandro Torres, Grace Borg, Paige Heavyside, Cate Vesley and Amanda Harrison are part of a new wave bringing fresh energy to Melbourne auctions. Picture: Supplied

Woodards South Yarra’s Cate Vesley said hesitation was costing young buyers their dream homes.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched buyers miss out simply because they second-guessed themselves,” Ms Vesley said.
“Of course it’s scary — this is the biggest financial decision of their lives — but once they’ve done their due diligence, my advice is simple: back yourself. Put your hand up. There will never be another home exactly like that one.”

Buxton’s Paige Heavyside with her father, veteran auctioneer Tim Heavyside. Picture: Supplied

Heavyside’s Paige Heavyside said nerves often saw first-home buyers freeze until it was too late.
“The problem is, by then they’ve lost the chance to show intent and build momentum,” Ms Heavyside said.
“My advice is simple, bid early, even if the property passes in, you’re in the box seat to negotiate afterwards.
“By stepping forward with confidence, you put yourself in the strongest position to secure the home.”

James Nicolaou Real Estate’s Alejandro Torres says investor trends are shifting, with Sydney buyers moving in as many Victorian investors cash out. Picture: Supplied

James Nicolaou Real Estate associate director Alejandro Torres said confidence mattered just as much for vendors choosing how to campaign.

“Every agent can list online, run opens and print brochures, what separates a successful campaign is how the property is presented and how it’s exposed,” Mr Torres said.

“World-class photography, videography and strong digital placement are the baseline.

“Then comes negotiation, how your agent handles buyers once they’re through the door.”

Mr Torres added that while Sydney investors were returning to Melbourne auctions, many locals were cashing out.
“It’s a tale of two markets: interstate buyers moving in, Victorians moving out,” he said.

With clearance rates steady, prestige sales flowing and a new generation of auctioneers finding their voice, Melbourne looks set for one of its strongest spring markets in years.