Takapuna luxury home seeks cyberbids

By CHRIS DANIELS

The owners of an Auckland mansion have turned to internet auction site ebay to find a buyer with the necessary millions.

Described online as an "America's Cup View Unbeatable Beach Home," the Takapuna house is being offered on the United States-based auction site for $4 million.

The selling description stresses the America's Cup racing views and says the 539 sq m home is "only 20 minutes from the International Airport."

Music publisher David Garratt has been accepting internet bids for the home since last month.

The house features a 600-bottle wine cellar (designed by former television newsreader John Hawkesby), a pool and a sophisticated sound system.

The site shows there have been nine bids, the highest $US1,605,100 ($3,880,000).

Yesterday, the page had registered 9700 hits.

Mr Garratt said an American friend had suggested the auction. It cost $US50 to list a property on ebay, and there was no commission fee.

"It's just one of the options we've taken in trying to market it.

"It's the sort of property that would interest the right sort of American, I think."

He said several interested Americans had already been in contact with him.

New Zealand real estate agents have also been trying to sell the house, which has been on the market since January.

Mr Garrett said he would be speaking to his American friend about the "20 minutes from the airport" description.

An Auckland agent specialising in expensive properties, Geoffrey McRae of Bayleys Real Estate, said he had been watching the auction with interest, as it was the first time a local property had been offered in such a way.

He said the approach carried some risk for the vendor.

If it did not work there could be credibility problems selling the property locally, as buyers watching the auction would know what price had been sought and if it had been attained. "That can be a kiss of death, believe me."

Mr McRae said the public would be surprised at the number of New Zealanders able to afford a $4 million home.

"They normally come out of the woodwork, people looking to trade up from properties of $2.5 million."

New Zealand law precluded online property auctions, he said.

"My understanding is that you can't legally do it - you can't make it a legal sale."

Mr McRae said there was still a need for a personal touch when buying real estate.

"It's only a form of marketing now, not a form of sale. From a buyer's point of view, they like to have a look at the eyes of the opposition, in a purely emotional, buying situation."

Links


Ebay Real Estate