Luke McDonald’s Melbourne home sells for A$1.06 million before reserve disclosure reform

North Melbourne defender Luke McDonald’s Kensington home sold to first-home buyers for A$1.06 million at auction on October 10, ahead of Victoria’s new requirement to publish auction reserve prices.

McDonald had owned 1 Albermarle Street since 2018. He and his wife Brooklyn initially lived there before retaining it as an investment. The Victorian terrace retained its classic frontage. Renovations included a new kitchen and bathroom, improvements to the living space and a landscaped garden.

Nelson Alexander agent Ryan Currie told The Sydney Morning Herald that he disclosed the A$990,000 reserve beforehand. The advertised guide was A$900,000-A$990,000. Two bidders quickly reached the reserve, after which the property was declared on the market. Currie said the entire auction took less than 40 seconds. The buyers were a couple renting nearby.

Consumer Affairs Victoria requires reserve prices to be published at least seven days before auctions or fixed-date sales taking place from October 16. A sale cannot proceed without the full disclosure period. Currie said he had anticipated the reform by making the reserve known in advance.

A separate Armadale auction produced a A$1.75 million sale for the three-bedroom home at 5 Stanhope Street. Its reserve was A$1.44 million and its guide A$1.35 million-A$1.45 million. Jellis Craig agent Carla Fetter said four parties bid. A young professional bought the deceased-estate property.