After spending well over a decade in Canberra, Josh Papali'i is a self-confessed north-sider.
In fact, the location is one of just two requirements in a new home, following the sale of his Evatt property.
"We want more bedrooms and we want to stay north-side," the Canberra Raiders prop said.
"To be honest, I have never thought of looking at houses [in the south]. I've always been north-side and I am just used to the area."
The property, 20 McHugh Street, sold at auction on September 14 for $1.0905 million.
This just short of a $1.1 million price guide.
Mr Papali'i said it was a "relief" for his family to be onto a new chapter.
The family is now renting in Casey while they consider their next move.
"We are just looking around for the right house that suits my family. That is the exciting bit - I love having a look on all homes and seeing what houses [are listed]," Mr Papali'i said.
He was tight-lipped on further investment plans but said he would like to have space for interstate family to stay.
Parting with the Evatt house, though, was bittersweet. Mr Papali'i had fond memories of his kids' school and neighbourhood connections.
He was pleased it "went to a nice family".
That family is the Mayberrys - Matt, his wife and their children, aged four and five.
They were at two auctions at the same time on September 14 and were on the phone to one another, from the auctions at Evatt and Tuggeranong.
"This was the last weekend before we would have to put our stuff in storage because our current house settles on October 15," Mr Mayberry said.
The backyard - including an impressive pool and slide - won them over.
"For the next 10 years or so, the kids are going to have a blast," Mr Mayberry said.
But it is not just his children who will enjoy the property.
Mr Mayberry's 11-year-old nephew, a die-hard Josh Papali'i fan, was "shocked" to learn of the home's owner.
"He was at the auction and people were saying you could hear his heart beating out of his chest," Mr Mayberry said.
"He told me I had to buy that house."
There were three registered bidders at the property and the auction lasted more than half an hour, according to selling agent Jonny Warren.
He said his team had to "work hard" to sell the property at auction following a challenging weekend for sales.
Canberra auctions had a clearance rate of 52.5 per cent on the weekend, up seven per cent from this time last year, according to Corelogic.
