East Brisbane homeowners decided to sell their homes after real estate group Ray White Bulimba offered a $10,000 home auction marketing incentive to the winner of its competition.

This competition was the idea of Ray White marketing agent Nikole Horan, who also offered her own commission to a local charity of the winner's choice.

"I wanted to do something fun and attract a bit of attention," Horan said. "I wanted to create excitement and buzz, a little positive disruption in the marketplace."

After posting around 3,000 flags around East Brisbane containing the contest details, seven East Brisbane residents entered the draw. The winner, Tim Harold, said that winning the contest was what made him finally decide to sell his family home to an auction on May 14.

"We were definitely in two minds at the time, wondering whether or not we should sell," Harold said. "Even after entering the competition, we weren't sure we would do it—not until we got a phone call saying we'd won."

Harold said that part of the reason why he was not partial to the idea of selling his family home was the stress that comes with it. "This has certainly taken off the stress," he said.

It was also an added perk that he gets to choose the charities that he wants to help. "We really wanted to give back to the East Brisbane Community Centre and also a local charity that helps women with domestic violence," he said.

Brisbane has been dubbed as the most stable city in Australia in terms of the housing market. Just last month, its average house prices have climbed again for the 14th quarter in a row.

Collections: