DOLLARS FOR HORRORS

Finally, a price for ‘the murder house’.

Article originally published MARCH 18, 2005 –Reviewed and approved.

By Neil Jenman

This time, no one can say they weren’t told. The advertisement was clear: a gruesome triple murder occurred in this home. And the LJ Hooker auctioneer, Mr Graeme Hennessy, mentioned it several times, this is the murder house.

The agent didn’t want a repeat of the outrage which followed the sale in October. Back then, a couple signed a contract to buy the home for $800,000 only to discover, afterwards, the horrible history of the place. After weeks of media pressure, the LJ Hooker network compensated the buyers for their $80,000 deposit.  The home had to be re-sold.

Last night the home was offered for auction with full disclosure of its history. Scheduled to start at 6.30PM, it was closer to seven o’clock when the auctioneer received an opening bid of $600,000. With just one other buyer, the bids increased by $10,000 amounts, slowing to $710,000 before the first bidder threw in another $5,000, making a final offer of $715,000.

All things considered, not a bad result, surely.

Finally, after all these months, a price for what has probably become Australia’s most notorious home – 6 Collins Street, North Ryde.

Surprisingly, the price of $715,000 was not accepted. The property has now been placed for private treaty sale with an asking price of $850,000.

As one observer at the auction commented, “If the home sold for $800,000 when the buyers didn’t know its history, it seems odd to expect more when its history is known.” One of the agents replied, “Well, we have to start somewhere.”

One would think the aim would be to end this saga not start it again. No matter what the opinions may be, ‘the murder house’ is worth $715,000, perhaps even less as time goes on.

The message is clear. It’s time to sell.

Take the money and end this sorry saga.

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