A young family from Sydney’s upper North Shore has secured a house at 22 Bimbil Avenue, Mount Colah, following an auction that drew five registered bidders and 38 bids, run by Nick Berman of McGrath Hornsby.
The price remains undisclosed, but the result exceeded vendor expectations in a campaign where transparency was the priority given the vendor’s personal circumstances.
Cosmetic work reframed as entry-point advantage
Nick identified the property’s appeal early — a large flat block in a sought-after Mount Colah street where houses have historically sold well.
While the house required cosmetic work, that became a selling point rather than a liability.
“Buyers saw the opportunity, but they equally saw that the house needed some work — that was actually an opportunity for many of the buyers who were looking to enter the market and buy their first property,” Nick said.
The campaign ran eight open homes plus private inspections, supported by online promotion, local letterbox drops and targeted outreach to McGrath’s existing buyer database.
Lifestyle package drew young family from upper North Shore
The successful buyers — a young family relocating from the upper North Shore — were drawn to the lifestyle package the property offered.
The block size provided usable outdoor space for children, while the location delivered easy walking access to local cafes, the train station and primary school.
Nick said the combination of a generous flat block, proximity to schools and public transport, and the chance to add their own stamp on a home made the property particularly appealing to first-home buyers looking for a foothold on the North Shore.
The auction’s 38 bids demonstrated the level of interest Nick had built across the campaign.
Underbidders still searching in Mount Colah
Nick reports multiple buyers who missed out at auction remain active in the area, including underbidders and those unable to attend on the day.
“We’ve got a lot of buyers who missed out on purchasing this property, not only the underbidders at the auction, but other buyers who couldn’t make it to the auction,” Nick said.
“So there’s definitely strong interest to buy in Mount Colah.”
Mount Colah’s median house price sits at $1.7 million, up 6 per cent over the past six months, according to realestate.com.au data.
About the agent
Nick Berman a highly respected agent in the Hornsby Shire, ranked Agent of the Year for Mount Colah in 2022 by Rate My Agent. With over a decade at McGrath Hornsby and a background including 18 years on Hornsby Council—nine as Mayor—he combines market expertise with deep local knowledge. Visit Nick’s website for more information or call Nick on +61411216332.