In the immortal 1985 movie Back to the Future it was Doc Emmett Brown who famously said the “future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one.”

While he was imploring us to live our best lives, nothing defines us more than our surroundings and the way we choose to reside. Time travel forward to 2023, one category of Sydney property always electrifies home-hunters with inspiration about their own futures. In terms of making it ‘a good one’, it’s the blank slate home that sparks the biggest dreams.

11 Schumack Street, North Ryde was one example where home-hunters came in droves, ready to imagine a compelling sequel after 62 years with its original owner. The listing drew 24 pre-registered parties and plenty more after seeing the home for the first time on the day of auction.

 

Mostly untouched on a garden block of 575sqm with wide frontage of more than 16m, it attracted a mix of renovators, neighbours, upsizing families and those with development dreams in their destinies.

“It was surprising to see someone who wanted to keep the house get the edge over other buyers who were looking to knock down and rebuild,” says BresicWhitney agent Peter Grayson.

“The big attraction is the scarcity of these types of homes in key locations such as quiet streets or premium pockets. That’s what drives emotional buying.

 

Around 30 hopefuls joined the running in the end, with 9 active bidders, pushing the home $350,000 over reserve.

“It ended up selling to a renovator who just wanted to get into the area and could see potential in the original home.”

 

“The anticipation builds suspense when it’s not an opportunistic sale – these are people’s entire lives, family nest eggs, people’s histories on show,” he adds.

It was a similar scene at 32 The Esplanade, Drummoyne. Directly across from the water, the original residence was on 461sqm land opposite Five Dock Bay, with The Bay Run only moments away, its interiors intact and beautifully preserved throughout.

 

“It’s an example of the way these homes attract people who aren’t actively looking in the market,” Peter says.

“As an agent, you find yourself having conversations with clients you haven’t seen in years, reconnecting and sharing stories and delving into their new aspirations, sometimes quite suddenly.”

 

 

For the first time on the market in more than 50 years, it sold at auction to buyers living around the corner, spotting the signboard on their morning walk.

Across in the Eastern Suburbs at 50 Comber Street, Paddington, one buyer inspected this particular property two minutes before the auction, going on to be the successful purchaser under the hammer.

 

BresicWhitney agent Christopher Breedon says the winning buyer outbid 12 others, all of who inspected the property multiple times.

“It was remarkable to see but when you step back and think about it in the aftermath, it’s also unsurprising,” Christopher says.

Another instance where the home was taken to market for the first time in 54 years, it drew attention for its vintage interiors and the possibilities of extending up and out. Changing hands from one renovator to another, the seller and her husband paid $10,000 for the home back in 1968, after being part of a renovation team updating a row of 4 houses at the time.

 

 

“People get excited about these sorts of opportunities and obviously there aren’t many of them left in Inner Sydney. You never know when the chance is going to come up for you to take something so raw and make it your own.”

At 14 Brisbane Ave, Rodd Point, a solid brick property hit the market after surviving unchanged for decades, with its classic wallpaper, tiles, fixtures and fittings.

BresicWhitney agent Adrian Oddi says the home was “as authentic as they come” and a snapshot of Australian family life from a bygone era.

 

 

“Every home tells a story and some more so than others, and we were careful to present this home in a way that would appeal to locals and out-of-area buyers, families and developers.”

“I’m always excited to see what comes next and these sorts of homes offer so many ways to reimagine its next chapter.”

And therein lies the intrigue we see conveyed time and time again.

 

We’re learning about the past each time we’re privileged enough to explore these homes. At the same time, we wonder about the next instalment in their saga, perhaps a tale we’ll hear down the road.

But remember The Doc also said: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Like a good movie, all we need is a budget and our imagination.