Julia Gillard’s Altona house attracted a record number of viewers at Sunday’s open-for- inspection for selling agent Jas Stephens of Williamstown.
Managing director Craig Stephens said about 300 people went through the former prime minister’s Altona home at 9 Medford Street. And 125 people inspected the house the previous day.
“A lot of people came through having just a look, which is fine, but a lot of genuine people as well,” he said. “The house itself is certainly, we think, going to attract a wide range of buyers.
“It seems to be a home that’s nicely renovated and at a fairly affordable price.
“There’s a lot of people, from a curiosity factor, very keen just to have a look, and we understand that.”
The house, which is listed for auction at 2pm on December 14, is open for inspection from 3.30-4pm on Saturday.
Excited neighbours are planning a street party on the day when Ms Gillard’s home of 15 years goes under the hammer.
Neighbour Anthony Ang, who started the Beautiful Altona blog after shock jock Kyle Sandilands said Gillard was living in a “rat hole”, said the agent opened the home earlier than planned on Saturday after a queue formed outside the house.
Ms Gillard, who has moved to Adelaide with partner Tim Mathieson, bought the house in 1998 for $140,000.
It is expected to fetch more than $600,000, but the home’s value is hard to gauge because of the celebrity factor.
Suggestions have been made from members of the public that perhaps another former prime minister, Kevin Rudd, could buy the house.
