Interest in homes going under the hammer as part of the Apollo Estate housing auctions is increasing, with the highest prices yet achieved in Thursday night's auction of eight properties.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Top price in the auction at the Western Plains Cultural Centre was $155,000 for 250 Myall Street, with the median price of $131,600 for the eight.
LJ Hooker licensee in charge Colin Knight said buyers were beginning to realise the potential of the properties and take advantage of the affordability.
"The last auction in July we saw houses go for between 102,000 and 148,000 whereas this time around properties sold for between $110,000 and $155,000 with the majority selling for between $120,000 and $140,000," Mr Knight said.
"The jump in price is mainly because people realise the area is improving and the effort that is being put into cleaning up the area is working.
"There is a lot of interest in the auctions. We had a crowd of about 50 and 15 registered bidders, all of who got involved during the night."
The properties have proved to be popular with first time home buyers. Under the regulations of sale, almost all have to be owner occupied, excluding investors from bidding and helping to keep the properties affordable.
An additional fire damaged house, located at 5 Collins Avenue, was auctioned, without restriction, to a local builder for $61,000.
Mr Knight said there are still some opportunities for people to pick up a bargain house but not many remain.
"We were originally told there would be 60 properties for sale and we have sold 34 and two fire-damaged so there are still some more to come. The next auction will be the 11th of December with 10 properties in that one and in early next year, maybe March, there will be another one with a few houses," he said.
"If anyone is interested in picking up one of these properties I would suggest they get involved soon because there aren't many properties left and once they are gone that's it.
"Most land around Dubbo is going for around 140,000 and on a mortgage of $155,000, repayments are around $200 a week so it is cheaper than renting."