With 368 of the results in by Saturday evening, the Domain Group put the clearance rate at 77.1 per cent.

A derelict, graffiti-covered, double-fronted home at Leichhardt, uninhabited for 33 years except for squatters, sold for $1.42 million, well above expectations.

The agent had been quoting more than $1.2 million during the campaign, although because of the huge interest the reserve was set on Saturday at $1.38 million.

"We're dreamers," the downsizer buyers from the north shore said, without wanting to reveal their names. They expect to do a $500,000 renovation and move in.

The appeal of 54 Thornley Street was its “gorgeous” facade and decent-sized block tucked in behind Norton Street.

Jonathan Hammond of Raine & Horne Montano had handed out more than 50 contracts and, on the day, there were 20 registrations to bid.

But just nine were active, with the fun starting at $1 million.

At $1.4 million it was down to two, with the underbidder offering $1000 bids after consultations with someone else via SMS on his phone. After waiting patiently, auctioneer Tom Panos managed to extract several of these $1000 bids from the man on the phone, but the north shore couple came back strongly with bolder, larger bids and they won the duel.

The vendors had paid $177,500 in 1981, but never got around to doing it up or living in it.

At Ryde, a dump at 40 Charles Street fetched $1.2 million after an intense five-minute auction, selling $100,000 over reserve.

The 90-year-old, run-down, two-bedroom cottage was popular for its near-level 812 square metre block in a convenient spot. It was the first time it had been offered for 60 years.

There were 10 registrations, mostly builders, developers and young families from surrounding suburbs and the inner west looking to knock down and rebuild.

Premier Property Auctions auctioneer Graeme Hennessy stood among 60 people in the pouring rain and took an immediate opening offer of $900,000. Five active bidders pushed the auction along and it was quickly sold to Gladesville residents Bassan and Rowyda Batshon.

“We are buying for our son and will redevelop with a two-storey house,” Mr Batshon said. “I thought the price was reasonable, I thought it would go for $1.1 million but there was strong competition.

“We’ve already been to a few auctions and I’ve always been up against at least another 15 buyers.”

Ray White Gladesville agent Barrie Brown, who had 50 group inspections and issued 20 contracts, said he was pleased.

“For a dump like that, I’m more than happy with the result,” he said. “The Ryde property market is still strong, even though we’ve seen a tiny bit of levelling off.”

In other results, auctioneer Rob Trovato of Property Auction Services and Costi D'Bais of LJ Hooker Auburn presided over the sale of a renovated, three-bedroom cottage at 69 Dudley Street, Berala, which sold for $880,000, $130,000 above reserve.

And there were 23 registered bidders at a two-bedroom apartment with garage at 2/17 Darling Street, Bronte, up for auction through Century 21. Auctioneer Will Hampson said it sold for $942,000, $142,000 above reserve. It hadn't changed hands for 40 years. Bidding started at $700,000, but then someone raised the stakes with a $100,000 bid. "And we immediately hit the reserve of $800,00," Mr Hampson said.

A modern, two-bedroom apartment with Harbour Bridge views at 308/433 Alfred Street North, Neutral Bay, sold for $835,000, on reserve. The 110 square metre unit had six bidders via Gareth Richards McGrath Neutral Bay.

A neat and modest four-bedroom, red-brick home at 2 Walsh Street, Eastwood, sold $245,000 above reserve for a staggering $1.52 million. Making it popular was being close to sought-after Denistone East Public School, its position in a cul-de-sac and its level 613 metre block. There were eight registrations via Wayne Vaughan of McGrath Epping.

A three-bedroom, two-level, period terrace at 66 Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, sold for $1.43 million, $130,000 above reserve. The charming home on 139 square metres offered via Charles Touma at Belle Property Surry Hills had five registrations.