Excitement builds over city property auction

Tim Hocquard, Ray White Wanganui director.

Interest in this evening's residential and commercial property auction in Wanganui has gained momentum in the past few days.

Tim Hocquard, Ray White Wanganui director, said since the auction was first advertised in the Wanganui Chronicle they had received unprecedented interest in the properties and they were confident they would convert to sales when the auction took place from 4.30pm today at the Wanganui Club in Heritage House, St Hill St.

Mr Hocquard said the auction, the first to be held in the city for at least a decade, was dominated by a range of residential properties.

"There's plenty for the prudent investor, the first-home buyers and those on the upgrade.

"Mixed in among the catalogue are four superb commercial properties."

He said the auction was a significant move for his company.

"To show how seriously we're taking it is the fact we've got Ray White chief executive Kerry Smith, a legendary auctioneer in his own right, coming down to handle the auction," Mr Hocquard said. He said auctions were a popular sales method in larger centres such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and this evening's event would not be the last in Wanganui.

Another feature of the event will be a fundraising auction to raise money for Wanganui Riding for the Disabled, with local businesses generously putting up prizes that will be auctioned during the evening.

Registration starts at 4pm and the auctions kick off at 4.30pm. "Get in quick because you could go home with a bottle of wine and some house keys if you are clever," Mr Hocquard said.