SA’s cheapest home sells despite extensive damage

It took longer than expected but Australia’s cheapest home has finally sold, with the buyer intending to transform the outback property into short-term backpacker accommodation.

Four months after the vandalised home failed to sell at auction, selling agent Misty Mance, of Andrews Property, confirmed Lot 527 Van Brugge St, Coober Pedy, had gone under offer.

Ms Mance could not disclose the purchase price but it had been listed for just $20,000 – making it the cheapest home currently on realestate.com.au.

The only cheaper dwelling listed is actually a caravan and annex in the Loch Sport Caravan Park, in eastern Victoria, which has a price guide of $19,500.

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Ms Mance said the buyer planned to restore the miners-style home, which will prove no small feat, given it’s in such a state of disrepair it’s impossible to tell how many bedrooms it once contained.

Several walls have been ripped back to their timber frames and there are gaping holes in others, including the front facade.

A pedestal basin, presumably in what was once a bathroom, has been smashed in two, flooring has been destroyed, the kitchen sink torn from the wall and there’s countless empty boxes of beer, rubbish and cobwebs throughout.

The charred remains of a caravan – completely burned to the ground – still occupy the large 1000sqm block and while power and water are available, they are not connected.

“It is a home that I think can still be restored but he (the buyer) is definitely going to need to do some work,’’ Ms Mance said.

“He said he is going to restore it to its former glory to help with the accommodation shortage for 88-day backpackers.’’

Eighty-eight days refers to the time working holiday visa holders, except those from the UK, must spend in rural or regional areas to be eligible to extend their stay in Australia.

Ms Mance said the home was last occupied by a Greek woman, who lived there several years ago with her two young boys and had kept the property in immaculate condition.

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After the mother, who had been unwell, and one of the sons died, the remaining son moved away, which is when vandals destroyed the home.

With the property now under offer, the title for Australia’s cheapest home has passed to 536 Grund St, Coober Pedy, a two-bedroom tiny home in “rough condition’’, also listed by Ms Mance, with a price guide of $28,000.

That property, as well as a two-bedroom shed-style dwelling at 529 Van Brugge St listed for sale for $29,000 by Ms Mance, has already been subject to multiple offers.

While not desirable to every buyer, Ms Mance said cheaper homes in various states of disrepair could be a lifesaver to those facing homelessness or unable to afford more popular offerings.

“It does give an opportunity for a first-home buyer or for others that can’t get into the market,’’ she said.

“The condition of them doesn’t worry some people because it’s a chance to own their own home that they might not otherwise have.

“If those opportunities weren’t there, they may not have anywhere else to go.’’

– by Lauren Ahwan

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