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Owners Brian Wallis and Amanda le Bas de Plumetot feed Smudgie, their wool lawnmower, in the backyard. Image: David Caird.
A Melbourne home in the Dandenong Ranges is going under the hammer today. The reserve price is announced to buyers and there is an unusual ingredient: the sheep Smudgie.
The wool lawnmower is part of the deal for the 4000+ sq ft block at 16 Currajong Ave, Selby and, according to the owners, is the kind of character that will stare at you admiringly in the hope of some crumbled Wheat Bix, as well as being a huge time saver.
It is one of 582 Melbourne homes going to auction this weekend after the city’s eviction rate last week topped 50 per cent for the fourth consecutive day at 52.5 per cent, following a protracted rise of less than half in June and July, according to REA Group data.
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The last few weeks have been nerve-wracking for owners Brian and Amanda Wallis, but with their reserve price of $799,000 revealed in advance, they hope homebuyers will feel confident about making an offer on their four-bedroom home built in the last 39 years.
And as an unusual added bonus, they throw in 2.5-year-old sheep Smudgie, who has been helping keep the acre block’s lawn under control for some time.
Smudgy has made the backyard at 16 Currajong Ave, Selby, his home for more than two years.
The back of the house is raised well above the ground to make the most of the views.
Imagine waking up to the view of the tree-lined trees and having plenty of time to enjoy it since the lawn is already mowed.
“We also have neighbors with sheep and it is not uncommon for people in the area to share sheep,” Wallis said.
Ms Wallis added that it was much more pleasant than a smoking lawnmower.
“He loves it when I hang out the laundry and he will stand at the gate and look at me admiringly, hoping I will bring him a Wheat Bix,” she said.
The couple has found that if the next owner isn’t willing to let Smudgie go, there are plenty of others down the street who are happy to take him.
Open living spaces emphasize the spacious feeling of space outside.
The home’s kitchen is ready to serve a crowd or a Sunday roast.
The bathroom may have just enough space to give a sheep a bath, but it’s probably best not to test that theory.
David Stewart and Anthony Iorlano of real estate firm Loci are handling the sale and said using a disclosed reserve was an opportunity to test the waters before the proposed change requiring disclosure of an acceptable sales price seven days before the auction starting Oct. 1.
The proposed change to the state’s auction laws was debated in the House this week.
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