Gerry and Tracey McKeague bought 16 Brownbill St, Geelong at auction for $665,000.

IT IS not just Melbourne buyers that are falling in love with everything Geelong has to offer, buyers are even coming from as far away as Ireland.

Tracey and Gerry McKeague moved to Geelong from Ireland four years ago and have put down roots and bought a house at auction.

They snapped up 16 Brownbill St, Geelong for $665,000.

16 Brownbill St, Geelong has plenty of period character.

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Bidding started at $610,000 and two parties went back and forth for 10 bids before the hammer came down.

Mrs McKeague said they had been renting around the corner and had not been looking to buy for long but fell in love with the house and location of no. 16.

“We are going to renovate it,” she said.

Dale Whitford auctions the property.

Whitford, Newtown agent Heidi Trempel said the property was in a little pocket not many people knew about.

“It is also one of the only tree lined streets in central Geelong,” Ms Trempel said.

“Prior to auction we had a lot of interest from Melbourne investors wanting capital growth.”

The buyers plan on renovating the house.

CoreLogic data shows the median house price in Geelong has increased 16.9 per cent in the past year to $725,000.

The three-bedroom house is on 465sq m of land and has original features including high ceilings and open fireplaces.

The property is walking distance to Geelong’s CBD, the waterfront, botanic gardens and South Geelong train station.

tessa.hayward@news.com.au