Teen with “a lot of courage” nabs her dream home at auction
Though she’s fresh out of high school, an 18-year-old has managed to buy her very own dream home.
Angela - whose last name has been withheld - beat three other bidders to the punch at the Saturday auction of a 600-square-metre house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage.
An estimated 40 onlookers witnessed the sale and were reportedly shocked when they realised the 18-year-old had won.
The TAFE student secured the property for $1.025 million ($NZD 1.1 million), after bidding began at $940,000 ($NZD 1.01 million).
Angela was able to afford the million-dollar price due to a medical payout she received when she was younger,
The teen received substantial compensation from the hospital where she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, after it was discovered she could have been diagnosed sooner.
When she realised she had won the auction, Angela reportedly burst into tears of happiness.
Martin Millard, the managing director of the company that ran the auction, said Angela’s win was incredible.
“I went up and said congratulations with a little tear in my eye. That’s next level [what Angela achieved],” he told news.com.au.
“It takes a lot of courage to bid at an auction.”
An estimated 40 people watched as the young woman secured her dream home. Image: news.com.au
With decades of experience in the real estate industry, Mr Millard said he’s never seen anything quite like what he witnessed at Saturday’s auction.
“I’ve seen rich parents’ kids get given houses and things like that,” he said.
“And I’ve seen poor parents give their kids houses.
“I’ve never seen an 18-year-old turn up to an auction where there’s multiple bidders and win with her own money.”
Mr Millard added that it was unusual to see young people buy their own home, but that it wasn’t impossible.
Though he has seen 20-year-olds buy homes off their own back, he said there was something different about this that stood out to him.
“Eighteen is a lot younger, you don’t see many 18-year-olds,” he said.
“My kids’ dad is a high profile real estate (agent) and yet none of my kids have gone out to an auction and displayed that ability.”
After finishing her end of school exam last year, Angela is studying a Certificate Three in Early Childhood.
Speaking to realestate.com.au, she said instantly fell in love with the home but “didn’t know what to expect” from the auction.
“I just fell in love with the place as soon as I saw (it),” Angela said.
“I didn’t know what to expect. It [the auction] was way more intense than any Year 12 exam.”
Angela also hopes that her purchase will show her twin sister, who also has a disability, that they can achieve anything.
Image: news.com.au