Imagine buying your country hideaway for the same price you would spend on a new car?
It's still possible if you do your research and are not afraid of a fixer-upper.
It is well documented now country homes are harder to find with the COVID-induced flight from the city to the country.
Where once city folk wanted to be a safe one hour commuting distance to the office, they are looking much further afield these days as available properties have been picked up.
So if you are not put off by a bit of work, here's a few cheap country shacks which might have flown under the radar.
In the Charters Towers region of Queensland is this real bargain for just $30,000 at Pentland.
Granted the existing house is just a shell but it is on a 1016 square metre block.
Agents for Jensen's Real Estate and Livestock said the home provided a "perfect opportunity" for a renovator to create their dream home, holiday home or investment property.
In western Victoria, you might have already missed out on this classic country hall.
Due to lack of use, the Kolora Hall was on the market.
Agent Bernard Maloney from Charles Stewart said the hall (circa 1930) on its 434sqm block was on the market for $50,000.
The eventual price now being offered "is just north" of that.
A top of the range Subaru Forester would cost about the same, even if you could get a new car delivered within the next year or so.
Mr Maloney, who just happens to have lived next door for more than 30 years, said those thinking about using the hall to live in would need an occupancy certificate and a new septic system.
Kolora is about 12km from Mortlake.
"Changing times have necessitated the community put their local hall on the market due to lack of use," Mr Maloney said.
The new owner could apply to the local council to convert the hall to a residence, move it or just use it for storage, he suggested.
The footy premiership photos and cups plus the war honour boards are not included in the sale.
As well, there is a florist in the northern Victorian dairy town of Cohuna on the market for $45,000. It is listed as having a bed.
Contact Golden Rivers Real Estate for that.
Or there's this old church at Lockhart in southern NSW which is going to auction on May 7 with bidding expected to start around the same $50,000 mark.
Saint Terence's Catholic Church's sale at Urangeline (near Lockhart) marks the end of an era for the local congregation.
The old church is 87km from Albury or 92km from Wagga Wagga.
Built in 1938, the church is on a big 2023sqm block and for some reason we need to tell you power is connected.
The local shire will need to approve any renovations or changes.
For more information contact Brian Liston at Nutrien Harcourts Albury on 0428 931894.
There is a one-bedroom home in the outback town of Broken Hill on the market for $50,000.
"Prospective purchasers are advised to carry out their own investigations" of 125 Bromide Street says agents from Century 21.
Also, in South Australia is this real fixer-upper on a big block at Wirrabara, in the southern Flinders Ranges.
Agents from Wardle Co. Real Estate are generous enough to say "what you see is what you get" with a starting price of $49,000.
The small town home has three bedrooms with power and water connected and has just recently gone under contract.
For more information contact Lee Jackson on 0427 440954.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
