THE auction of a Wantirna South home blew expectations out of the water when it sold for $2.21 million yesterday, while a stunning Coburg home just didn’t get across the line.

The Melbourne auction market returned to regular volumes of about 600 properties this weekend, recording a preliminary Melbourne clearance rate of 77 per cent, according to CoreLogic RP Data.

More than 300 people swamped 1 Nerolie Court, Wantirna South yesterday to see what residents said was one of the most energetic auctions in recent times.

Bag pipes played as crowds queued down the street to see the home before it went to auction, with a reserve price of $1.9 million.

Bidding started cheekily at $900,000 and jumped up for more than 50 bids between five bidders until a South Australian man, using a phone bidder, bought the luxury home.

Ray White Wantirna auctioneer Richard Kurz said there had been an exponential rise in house prices in the area.

The stunning ‘Koorali’ home, at 23 The Grove, Coburg started high with an opening bid of $2 million.

Hocking Stuart auctioneer Rob Elsom tried to stir up the competition, but after a few bids the five-bedroom home passed in at $2.1 million.

Other top sales included 12 The Woodland, Wheelers Hill that was sold by Ray White agent Cristine Jones for $1.54 million.

Heath Thompson, of RT Edgar, sold a vacant 1023sq m block at 65 Yarrbat Avenue, Balwyn for $3.28 million, with plans to develop townhouses.

And a designer penthouse apartment at 23/156 Rose Street, Fitzroy was snapped up by a young couple for $1.4 million.