Smart bidding tactics helped radio star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson secure her new ‘forever’ fortress, which agents say will be worth $20m+ when complete.
The KKIIS FM celebrity turned up at the Clovelly onsite auction on Saturday with her daughter, Kitty, and financial adviser David O’Callaghan and they snapped up the six-bedroom property for $13.25m, $1.25m over the reserve.
Henderson left it to O’Callaghan to do the bidding, but she was there, front and centre, urging him on.
“They made the opening offer of $9m, and they were bidding big-dollar amounts to scare the other guys off and they just kept on bidding,” says PPD principal Alexander Phillips.
There were $250,000, $500,000 and $100,000 increments, with $25,000 bids to mix it up towards the end.
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Auctioneer Paul Crawford says just the fact that the breakfast co-host turned up personally gave her an advantage: “I think being there and having a greater emotional attachment makes a difference,” he says.
“In the end, it was a war of attrition … between her and the underbidder; the third bidder wilted earlier.”
Reliable sources insisted in January, when the Wentworth Courier broke the news that she’d sold her Nick Tobias-designed Woollahra home for about $13m, that it was snooping paparazzi that had forced her from what was then thought to be her “forever” home.
Phillips confirmed that Henderson plans to rebuild the three-level 1960s home she’s bought in Clovelly and the DA-approved plans show a concrete and steel structure which will guarantee the star the privacy she desires.
It’s likely to take 18 months to build the new home, but Phillips says although she paid above the reserve, Henderson is on a winner.
“Even if she spends $5m on the rebuilt, it’s going to be worth $20m+ when it’s done,” he said.
“This is a one-off, one of the most prime positions along the whole of the eastern beaches.”
When asked if Henderson’s presence at the auction might have intimidated the other bidders, he said: “Not at all, she’s quite a relaxed type of person and didn’t act as if she was trying to intimidate anyone.
“She made everyone feel a bit more relaxed and was moving round, talking to people.
“She was not acting as if she had any celebrity status, created a good vibe, so no intimidation there, it was a free-flowing auction.”
Originally published as Jackie O: How smart bidding tactics at auction helped her secure her new ‘forever’ home
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