The property at 10 Old Pitnacree Close, built circa 1880, had received strong interest from prospective buyers in the lead-up to Saturday’s auction.

It had attracted about 100 people to each hour-long open house held every Saturday in the weeks leading up to the auction, according to Century 21 Ransom Real Estate director Greg Ransom.

Wallalong couple Cathy and Steve Davies bought the historic property.

Named Boreewan, which means meeting place, the property was built in the late 19th century on Crown land given to the owners as a grant in 1863.

It has belonged to several families since then, including the Clift, Mann and Mackay families, and Maitland icon Les Darcy worked as a blacksmith in a shed at the back of the property.

The house features six bedrooms, a dining room, drawing room, large kitchen, a pantry room, a maid’s room, two bathrooms, a cedar staircase and all original features still exist – although the home needs renovating.

Mr Ransom said there had been strong interest in the auction from Newcastle and Sydney buyers, but the most interest had come from buyers in the Maitland area.

“We had about 130 people there [at the auction]; it was a big crowd – about three times the size of what we normally get,” he said.

“[The property] has a lot of history. It’s one of those places that a lot of local people knew about. 

“A lot of people had been there or new of the people who had owned it.

“It was an auction with a lot of heart and soul.”