Fundraiser Hope house fails to sell at auction

The house built to raise money for Project Hope has failed to sell at auction.
The home reached a top bid of $700,000 on Saturday but failed to meet the expectations of the Bay Health Foundation.
Grey skies gave way to rain just as the auction started on Castlewold Drive in Bethlehem, with about 100 people crowding around the outskirts of the lounge and dining area, to hear Ray White CEO Carey Smith auction it.
The opening bid began at $600,000, and bids slowly rose to $700,000.
It is not known who the mystery bidders were but they were a couple, believed to be from the Bay. They had competition from a man who is also believed to be local.
During his opening address, auctioneer Mr Smith said the home was "here to be yours but also help a very worthy organisation".
"It is the ultimate statement in style for coastal living. We're looking for a very serious sale this afternoon ... This is quite something. It's not going to be of value to the foundation if we don't walk away with a sale."
Afterwards, Ray White agent John Pope, who is marketing the property free of charge, said where the hammer stopped was "not far" from where they had placed the reserve price, but refused to disclose what that price was.
"It's very, very realistic," was all he said.
"It's unusual for a house to have $60,000 worth of chattels and one-year complimentary house and contents insurance."
More than $50,000 worth of furniture would also come with the house, plus a Bay of Plenty Times subscription.
Mr Pope said three other potential buyers from Tauranga showed strong interest but were unable to bid on Saturday because they weren't cash buyers.
All three need to sell their own existing homes first.
"They are all very keen on the house," he said. Bay Health Foundation trustee Bob Thorne said the organisation had been "hoping for more" but likewise wouldn't be drawn on giving exact figures.
The property will be re-listed for sale by Ray White.
Interest in the home has been strong since it was completed, with potential buyers from as far away as the South Island eager to view the property at open homes.
The 360sq m Project Hope home was built with voluntary labour and donated materials.
When it does sell, the proceeds will hopefully mark the end of the $2.2m fundraising campaign that began in June 2004.
Project manager for the three-bedroom, two-storey home, Matt Lagerberg, was disappointed for the Bay Health Foundation that the home didn't sell, but believed it would eventually go for a good price.
In terms of designer homes in Tauranga, it is "right up there," he said.
Project Hope first launched its fundraising campaign in June 2004.
The new cancer centre is being built on Tauranga Hospital's grounds to provide a comprehensive range of services for Bay cancer patients.