An architect-designed new build positioned next to Gibbs Brothers Oval has sold for a multimillion-dollar price ahead of auction.
The property, on Rowan Crescent in Merewether, was snapped up after 21 days on the market.
Designed by Shade Architects, the four-bedroom house sits on a 320-square-metre block adjoining the oval.
It sold for $3.8 million with Damon Sellis of First National Real Estate Newcastle City.
Initially scheduled to be auctioned on August 15, the property was sold to a Newcastle-based buyer after attracting interest from multiple parties.
"We had good interest when it went to market and between a few different parties, we found our best buyer," Mr Sellis said.
"Most of the interest was local and although we did have interest from Sydney as well, the majority were local buyers who wanted to be on Rowan Crescent."
The two-storey house features a large open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area on the ground level, while the top level has a study, sitting room, four bedrooms, and a main bathroom.
Features include an internal lift, a swimming pool, and an internal double garage.
"It had all the hallmarks of a high-end luxury build and being next to the park appealed to a lot of families," he said.
"Even though there wasn't any yard so to speak, having that position meant their kids and their dog could be connected to the oval next door.
"It was a brand new custom build with a great architect and a great builder, and great foresight by the owner.
"This project has been planned for two-and-a-half to three years and the execution of the design was just brilliant."
Mr Sellis said that sellers with realistic expectations are securing strong sales before auction day.
"If there are buyers in the market that are wanting to buy and owners can see what's going on in the market, they are much more prepared to listen to offers," Mr Sellis said.
"You are finding your benchmarks in the early part of the campaign, so if the owners are realistic and have good products like this one on Rowan Crescent, there is a better attraction for those properties regardless of market conditions."
According to Cotality's preliminary results, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie recorded an auction clearance rate of 64.7 per cent in the week ending August 9.
In Georgetown, a renovated three-bedroom cottage that previously changed hands in 2016 for $560,000 also sold before its scheduled August 26 auction.
Set on 427 square metres, the single-level house at 21 Turner Street sold following its first open inspection after drawing multiple offers.
"Georgetown has been very highly requested from buyers and we had about 20 groups through on the first Saturday," Harcourts Newcastle listing agent Belinda Bartholomew-Walsh said.
"We had a few offers and exchanged by the next week.
"The owners had purchased something else, so there was some time pressure, but they were very happy with the price and were happy to sell before auction.
"The person who bought it was already renting in Georgetown and had been waiting for months for a property to pop up."
A renovation project in Belmont sold at auction after attracting second-home buyers and investors during a four-week campaign led by Steve Georgalas of LJ Hooker Lake Macquarie.
The retro three-bedroom, one-bathroom brick house, set on 600 square metres at 20 Crown Street, had two buyers competing to secure the property.
Bidding opened at $880,000, and after just three bids, the home sold for $1.1 million.
The successful bidders were a couple who plan to renovate and capitalise on the home's lake views.
According to Cotality records, the property was previously sold in 2021 for $810,000.
Earlier in the week, Salt Property sold two homes at auctions.
At 53 Henry Street in Tighes Hill, a four-bedroom terrace sold at auction with Salt Property's Lyn Goodin-Collis.
Built in 2007, the house was designed to replicate a traditional 1800s Victorian-era residence, complete with arched windows, a lacework verandah, and ornate cornices.
Guided at $1.4 million, the auction drew three registered parties, including two Sydney phone bidders, with the bidding kicking off at $1.3 million.
All three buyers competed in the bidding, with the home selling for $1.46 million after 14 bids to one of the buyers from Sydney.
Meanwhile, Salt Property's Lyndall Allan secured another successful result at 10 Cedar Crescent in Merewether Heights, where an updated four-bedroom brick-and-tile house sold under the hammer.
The 550-square-metre property, which last traded less than a year ago in October for $1.35 million, was listed with a guide of $1.65 million.
The auction had two registered bidders.
Following a strong opening bid of $1.67 million, the property sold for $1.795 million.
