12 Lukin Place Watson, ACT sells at auction for $1.8 million

Located at the end of a small cul-de-sac on a 953-square-metre block, 12 Lukin Place, Watson was set to go under the hammer on October 9 but the auction was brought forward due to a number of strong pre-auction offers.

During Saturday's online auction, two bidders broke away as the strongest contenders, with the final bids coming down to $1000 increments.

"It was an unexpected price, but it doesn't surprise me in this market," said selling agent Jenny McReynolds of Home By Holly.

"It was a great house, the owners had done a wonderful job on it and it was in a lovely spot."

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Sellers Rachael Slade and Michael McNamara bought the home in 2012 for $650,000 and have since renovated the entire house.

"We were absolutely shocked and flabbergasted to hear that we've broken the suburb record, we were not expecting it," said Ms Slade.

The sale also caught the attention of neighbours who were eager to take a look at the property that broke the previous suburb of $1.79 million, set in July.

"Yesterday we became the tourist attraction for the neighbourhood, there was so many people walking past and staring at the house, it was hilarious," said Ms Slade.

The large block size, location within a cul-de-sac and the Watson community are what drew Ms Slade and Mr McNamara to the house nine years ago.

"The reason that we bought it wasn't for the house itself, it had good bones but it was in severe need of an update," said Ms Slade.

After living in the home for six years, the couple began the extensive renovations, completing it in two stages.

The property now features a reconfigured kitchen, modern bathrooms, outdoor decking and a separate, self-contained granny flat at the rear, ideal for guests or to rent out to tenants.

The decision to sell the home comes as the couple and their four-year-old son prepare to relocate to Brisbane to be closer to family.

"[The sale] sets us up really well for our new life in Brisbane, we're really happy with the result," said Ms Slade.

The record auction follows a number of strong sales in the Watson area, where the median house price is $833,500, according to CoreLogic.

There have been 23 property sales above $1 million in the suburb this year alone.

Ms McReynolds, who grew up in Watson, said the highly sought-after schools and the strong community feel is what draws so many families to the area.

"It's just a really good place to live, having lived there for 40 years," she said.

Ms Slade agreed and said Watson's natural surroundings are also a big drawcard.

"It's got some lovely, leafy green areas, it's close to the Mount Majura reserve, there's a lovely sense of community and people know each other, we're going to miss them all very much," she said.

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