Former TV newsreader Bill McDonald has turned his hand to auctioning homes. He recently sold one home after just one bid, when a buyer’s agent knocked out all competition with an over-reserve opening bid. Picture: Ray Weeks
Former newsreader Bill McDonald is having trouble shaking off his TV career, with house hunters telling him to get back on the small screen.
McDonald is making his mark in real estate as an auctioneer and also on radio where he conducts a real estate segment during his weekend breakfast show on 4BC.
Former TV newsreader Bill McDonald has turned his hand to auctioning homes. He recently sold a property after one bid when a buyer’s agent made a massive opening call. Picture: Ray Weeks
He started wielding the hammer earlier this year, and even recently sold a house on the call of one bid, but says he has found it a little embarrassing when people began mentioning he should be on TV.
“I do get the odd quip with people asking, ‘are you that TV guy’ and telling me I should be on the telly,” he said.
Bill McDonald in a promotional shoot for Channel. House hunters regularly quip to McDonald, he should be back on TV. Picture: Ric Frearson
McDonald is now racking up a decent scorecard of auctions, and recently had one of his quickest sales ever with a three-bedroom house at 32 Wakley St, Acacia Ridge.
“The only bid was a buyer’s agent who scared all the competition off with a bid well over the reserve,” McDonald said.
The house at Acacia Ridge sold after just one bid, making it an extremely quick sell for auctioneer Bill McDonald. Picture: Supplied.
Apollo Auctions’ gun Justin Nickerson has mentored McDonald, whose fledgling experience in real estate is also a great flip for his 6am-8am weekend breakfast gig which includes a real estate segment.
He said that at another auction, the house went tens of thousands over the reserve.
“Auctioneering is about getting the best price for the agent and vendors, and gives me an insight into what is happening in the property market today for the radio show,” McDonald said.
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