A brand-new home on the Sunshine Coast has sold under the hammer for $1.06 million, with proceeds going towards SunnyKids’ Transitional Housing project.
Jodi Price, principal of LJ Hooker Mooloolaba | Mountain Creek, auctioned the donated property earlier this month, attracting four registered bidders.
The single-level four-bedroom home is located within a new housing estate at Banya.
The funds raised will help finance six townhouses, giving people impacted by domestic or family violence the chance to move out of emergency refuges.
The property was donated by the Devcon Property Group and Stockland, with around 70 local businesses, trades and suppliers also contributing time, expertise, materials and services to complete the build.
Jodi said bidders knew where the money was headed, and it likely encouraged them to dig deeper.
“The bidders were aware of where the money was going, and that probably pushed them to go a little bit higher,” she said.
“It is a good feeling to be working on this project because we see many families affected by domestic violence, particularly through our property management team.
“They are often unable to find a home because they have no rental history.
“They may not have had access to finances at all. The coercive control can be quite shocking when you scratch the surface.”
As part of its ongoing contribution, LJ Hooker Mooloolaba | Mountain Creek will donate its property management services to the townhouses. Tenants will pay subsidised rent set at a percentage of market value and can stay for up to two years.
Jodi, who also sits on SunnyKids’ board of directors, said the arrangement would give residents a foothold back into the private rental market.
“Managing the transitional housing project means we will be able to provide domestic violence survivors with proper references and tenant ledgers so that they can transition into regular rental accommodation in the future,” she said.
“SunnyKids will continue working with the tenants to ensure they are progressing and getting back on their feet. The aim is to help people regain their independence.”
Chris Keating, LJ Hooker’s Head of Network Australia, said the auction highlighted work agents often do away from the spotlight.
“Finding emergency accommodation for vulnerable families is one of the hidden aspects of working in real estate, with many agents quietly working behind the scenes to connect people to safe housing when they need it the most,” he said.
“The SunnyKids’ Transitional Housing project is an outstanding initiative that will make a tangible difference to the lives of families impacted by domestic violence. The generosity demonstrated by Jodi and her team is inspiring and a wonderful example of a business giving back to their community.”
SunnyKids is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1998 that provides emergency accommodation, family support and advocacy for people impacted by domestic violence, mainly across the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay areas.
LJ Hooker Mooloolaba | Mountain Creek has run fundraisers for the charity for the past 12 years, including an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas toy drive. It is hoped the auction is the first of many major events for the office.