Revealed: $4.5m South Brighton sale with a surprising twist

Would you pay $4.5m for a home just to knock it over? Well, someone did just that at the weekend. And that’s not even the most interesting part of this story … Ray White Glenelg selling agent Karen Millard said the original ’60s-built waterfront home at 191 Esplanade, South Brighton, fetched the eye-watering sum at auction on Saturday after hard-fought bidding by two bidders. “We had a lot of interest because, of course, it’s Esplanade, and that interest came from developers and owner occupiers,” Ms Millard said. “We had over 60 groups through several opens – all Adelaide buyers – and we had nine registered bidders on the day with three of them bidding. “It was the two emotional buyers that pushed it out. 191 Esplanade, South Brighton. The home is packed with character. It offers uninterupted water views. “They both wanted to build a big home on there and the auction was over in five minutes. “It started at about $2.7m and just kept going and going – it was a fantastic auction. “I was totally surprised to get that $4.5m “We thought it might go maybe in the high threes, maybe we’d crack a four, but the feedback was probably $3m to $3.5m, maybe $3.7m, so to get that sort of number un...