Hundreds pack neighbourhood for no-reserve auction of ready-made charity home

A ready-made home has sold for millions at a no-reserve charity auction on Saturday, with the proceeds going towards helping struggling kids.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property at 43 Amulree St, Tarragindi, was built by Plantation Homes for the 2025 House for Life Auction.

The auction was designed to raise funds for Mater Little Miracles, which gives aid to ill and premature babies at the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit.

43 Amulree St, Tarragindi, which sold at the 2025 House for Life auction.

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The auction was a no-reserve event that attracted hundreds of people for the newly-built property.

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Apollo Auctions auctioneer Justin Nickerson hosted the sale, and said no-reserve auctions were “fairly unique” in today’s market.

“We get to play a small role in this, but it makes you feel good that you’re contributing to a really good cause,” he said.

Coronis Inner South agent Solomon Michael said close to 300 people attended the midday auction, which started with some additional items donated for the event.

“There was a fridge, a sink and a tap bundle from a company called Franke, and a Smeg toaster and kettle bundle,” he said. “That was an extra $6000 raised.”

“At one stage I had to double check we were still selling a kettle and a toaster, because people were bidding so strong,” Mr Nickerson said. “It was really good to see people donating so generously.”

The interior had been fully furnished with a contemporary design, with 16 registered bidders at the auction.

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Solomon Michael and Karuna Mazzocchi of Coronis with Justin Nickerson at Apollo Auctions, by some of the crowd at the event. The event included music, food and face-painting for the younger attendees.

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Mr Nickerson said there was a “mood shift” as the auction, which featured food, face-painting and acoustic singing, turned to the main event.

With 16 registered bidders, around 8-10 of them were actively participating, as the first offer came in at $1.2 million.

Offers went up by hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time, before slowing to increases of $25,000.

Mr Nickerson said the winning bidder had been making decisive offers throughout the auction, maintaining control of the pace as part of his strategy.

“I think the bidder who secured it bid really strongly,” he said. “It put other people under pressure, and that was a big part of him winning.”

The property ended up selling for $2.45 million, with an extra $6000 raised by the auction of some kitchen appliances.

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Staff celebrating the auction, with the house being sold to a family who lived in the area.

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The winning bidder won the home for $2.45m. In total, Mater Little Miracles had $2,456,000 raised for their cause on the day.

Mr Michael said the home went to a family who lived nearby, who had actually seen the property in person for the first time that day.

“It was a really good day, with a really family-friendly vibe,” he said. “That’s exactly what we were going for, and that’s exactly who we ended up selling to.”

The home’s new-owners will be moving into a fully furnished property, on a 607 sqm block, with a 7-star efficiency rating and a contemporary design.

“[The winner] is gonna celebrate with an expensive bottle of wine, to celebrate his new home purchase,” Mr Michael said. “I would too.”