A West Wollongong home available for the first time in several decades has proven a hit with buyers, as the flurry of auction activity provided a throwback to the market's recent peak. The property attracted nearly 20 registered bidders and sold for more than $150,000 above the reserve price, with a final $500 bid sealing the deal. The three-bedroom home, located at 36 Yellagong Street, West Wollongong sold under the hammer earlier this week for $1,055,500. Read more: Towradgi home with man cave, theatre room sets street price record Sitting on 557 square metres, the cottage features expansive windows, curved handrails, high ceilings, open plan living, and the family room offers wrap-around escarpment views. The auction featured 19 registered bidders and the property had a reserve price of $900,000. Selling agent, Jordan Andonovski from The Agency Illawarra said the property was being sold as a deceased estate. The home was on the market for the first time since it was built in the 1950s. Mr Andonovski said the home was in its original condition, and in need of some work. "It's a corner block, West Wollongong is a desirable location, and it had a great outlook and feel about it," Mr Andonovski said of the property's appeal. "It was an older home, but in a great position." The property had a price guide of $820,000, with the opening bid at the auction of $800,000. There were 25 bids placed in total. Initially there was a series of $10,000 bids, followed by a series of bids in increments between $5000 and $25,000. Eventually a final $500 bid wrapped up proceedings. "The auction was pumping - it was like back in the days of the peak of the market," Mr Andonovski said. "It just shows that getting financing is harder now, interest rates have gone up. But for a good offering, there is competition in the market for the right property that is presented and priced well." According to CoreLogic, currently the median sales price of houses in West Wollongong is $987,500. Mr Andonovski said interested parties were a mix of developers and first home buyers. This included some Sydney-based buyers. It ultimately sold to an out-of-area buyer. Mr Andonovski said the new owners would "slowly cosmetically over time do some work to it". Other features of the home included a galley-style kitchen; original bathroom with full size tub, separate shower and toilet; and lower level rumpus room with toilet, ideal for a games room or teenage retreat. Readers can now subscribe to Australian Community Media's free weekly Illawarra property newsletter, Hot Property Illawarra. The newsletter will keep you informed about what's currently making headlines in the region's real estate market and beyond. To sign up, click here, scroll down, enter your details, click the 'property' box and then click 'subscribe'.