Mount Waverley auction delivers $2.49m family twist

The Mount Waverley home built in the 1950s sold for $2.49m after 71 years with one family, ending with a surprise auction twist.

A Mount Waverley home purchased as land for just £250 in the 1950s has sold for $2.49m after 71 years with the same family, and the winning bidder turned out to be a secret family friend.

The four-bedroom house at 4 Park Lane was constructed by 94-year-old Colin and his father, and became the backdrop to generations of milestones before going under the hammer on Saturday.

Seven bidders fought for the prized 916sq m block before the gavel fell well above its $1.8m-$1.98m price guide, but it was only after the sale that Colin’s son Andy discovered the buyer was a childhood friend who had kept her identity hidden to ensure the family achieved full market value.
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Ray White Judd White Group’s Sue Kelly-Brown said the auction twist was a shock.

“She went there as a kid and has fond memories of the home,” Ms Kelly-Brown said.
“She’s planning to move back to Melbourne, cosmetically renovate and live in it herself. It was such a beautiful gesture.”

Andy said the twist left everyone stunned.

The formal lounge and dining zone, with its retro character, has hosted countless family gatherings across the decades.

The auction twist was a thrilling finale for the family, as the winning bidder turned out to be a lifelong friend. Picture: Ray White Media

“It was a big surprise when I had the phone passed to me and it was our friend Susie on the other end,” he said. “We were just chatting a few weeks ago about what we were doing with the house. We love her and we’re so happy for her. Our families go way back.”

For Colin, who has recently moved into care, the result was the culmination of a lifetime of hard work.

Multiple living areas offered flexibility for generations, including a family zone filled with natural light.

The kitchen blends practicality and space, featuring a gas cooktop, breakfast bar and plenty of storage.

“He bought the block for £250 back in the 1950s,” Andy said.

“He and my grandpa built the home together. My sisters and I grew up watching them working so hard to build it with their own hands.”

What made the outcome even more special was Susie’s intention to preserve the home.

“She said she’s not going to pull it down, she wants to keep it. That means the world to us,” Andy said.

Loved by the same family for more than seven decades, the home carries a deep legacy.

Leafy gardens and a generous 916sq m block made the property a standout in Mount Waverley’s heart.

Auctioneers Dexter Prack and Daniel Galea worked the crowd in tandem, creating what Ms Kelly-Brown described as “360-degree theatre”.

“It was one of those auctions I’ll never forget,” she said.

“The family were very emotional, you could feel the connection.

“All the kids and grandkids still live in the area, this home has seen generations grow.”

The new owner, a close family friend, plans to renovate and preserve the home rather than knock it down.

Three bathrooms, including original retro touches, reflect the home’s long history and evolving needs.

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david.bonaddio@news.com.au

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