Wodonga auctions on Saturday all called off due to COVID-19 lockdown

Agents who had auctions scheduled on Saturday in Wodonga and surrounding areas have been forced to hastily alter plans when auctions were banned during the seven-day shutdown.

Six auctions were scheduled in Wodonga, Staghorn Flat and Osbornes Flat with agents electing to either go ahead online, reschedule or sell via expressions of interest.

Agents PJ Murphy will sell two properties, Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga and Osbornes Flat, via the online Anywhere Auctions platform after having previous online experience in the COVID era.

Agent Pat Murphy said proceeding to auction, albeit online, reflected the present market conditions.

"Historically we haven't had the buyer numbers to create true competition," he said.

"We're in a window of time when auctions are the best outcome for a seller and the fairest for a buyer.

"It's the most open and transparent method."

One Agency Wodonga has turned to an expressions of interest for two neighbouring properties owned by the same person in Beechworth Road.

Agent Rob Groat said buyers were ready to go and bids via the EOI closed Monday.

"We've been advised by some interested parties that they are ready to buy and there are probably others we don't even know about," he said.

"Why would we go any longer? We can go online, but we need to get that set up and we don't generally do a lot of auctions.

"They will be offered individually or as two together."

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Wodonga Real Estate has rescheduled an auction in Church Street, Wodonga to the Queen's Birthday weekend and will sell another at Staghorn Flat privately.

Agent Clinton Harvey said the short notification resulting from the lockdown was a "killer".

"But I've got little to complain about because there are a lot more people in a lot more pain compared to the frustrations I've got," he said.

"I don't own a pub or cafe and am not throwing out food and other stock."

Elders Wodonga has also gone down the expressions of interest for a home in Castle Creek Road built by chiropractor Alan Brady and wife Valerie with bids closing on Friday afternoon.

Agent Pam Shaw said she was anticipating up to six serious bidders if the auction went ahead based on strong lead-up interest in the home built on four levels with five bedrooms and 22.26 hectares of land.

"It's very disappointing it won't go to auction," she said.

"It's a unique type of property and still close to town."

Albury auctions are proceeding as planned on Saturday.

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