Brighton properties were left high and dry this week, after nine of 14 listed auctions passed in. But while agents didn’t have an answer for the dismal turnover, there were celebrations at agency Buxton Brighton when a neglected three-bedder sold for a whopping $325,000 over reserve.

Simon Wood made the sale at 33 Centre Road, which sold in under 10 minutes for $1.75 million.

Mr Wood was baffled by the result after selling a much nicer home in the same street three weeks ago for $1.62 million.

Four bidders registered on the day and three were still in the race at the $1.7 million mark. The successful bidder is planning to knock down the dated home and build new place.

Results like this may be fewer and farther between in coming months as Melbourne approaches the peak of the property market cycle, according to Herron Todd White. The valuers published their national property clock this week as part of their monthly review.

And with the sun shining brightly for the final day of the spring racing carnival, perhaps some buyers decided they had better things to do than bid. There were 808 scheduled auctions, and the Domain Group posted a clearance rate of 73 per cent from the 530 reported results. A total of 210 properties were passed in.

Buyers advocate David Morrell, of Morrell and Koren, had mixed success for his clients on Saturday and said he felt the market was missing a beat or two.

“It felt like the sting had gone out of the market,” he said. “There’s been a late rush of properties coming on so perhaps people are holding back knowing there is more choice. For the last two to three months we’ve expected four or five bidders, now there’s only one or two.”

RT Edgar auctioneer and director Joanne Royston reported the same trend, with two bidders at each of her three weekend auctions in Yarraville, Newport and Altona North.

“We had strong results, but the market has come back a little bit, we’re not seeing the same numbers we were seeing this time last year,” she said.

But Jellis Craig Bentleigh agent Sarah Gursansky was surprised by the strength in the market.

“We thought we had hit the top of the mountain a few weeks ago, but it’s still going strong,” she said. “I think buyers want to find something now so they don’t have to continue their search next year.”

Owner occupiers led the charge in Bentleigh and Bentleigh East. Ms Gursansky sold 28 Tambet Street before auction for $1.96 million, well above the $1.6 million to $1.75 million price guide.

“We had a buyer who really loved it and was determined to buy within the next two weeks before heading back to China,” she said. “Their daughter will live in it now and the family will join her later.”

Nearby, 11 Wallace Street attracted three owner-occupier bidders on Saturday, selling $70,000 over reserve for $1.16 million, and two bidders did battle for a townhouse at 2/511 South Road, which fetched $745,000, $40,000 above the reserve.

The most expensive house reported, at 22 Lansell Road Toorak, presented a redevelopment opportunity. RT Edgar Toorak sold the 606-square-metre property for $6.4 million. Meanwhile in the city centre, a three-bedroom, 16th-floor apartment in “Kingstoun”, on St Kilda Road, listed by Gary Peer was the most expensive unit reported sold, fetching $2.25 million.

West Footscray was home to Melbourne’s cheapest buy; a unit at 6/21 Hampton Parade sold for $250,000 through Jas Stephens Real Estate.