‘Most rundown’ home sells after more than a year on the market

A derelict century-old house in the middle of two New Zealand towns has been sold after more than a year on the market.

The property at 12 Con Street, Seddonville, in Buller, is located halfway between the townships of Westport and Karamea, with a boundary running through its middle, OneRoof reports.

Property Brokers agent Paul Murray, a native of Australia, had the rundown property on his books for at least 12 months.

Murray described the 120-year-old home as the most rundown home he had ever seen.

He told the property publication that it would take “a very brave person” to take ownership.

“This isn’t a mere “fixer-upper;” this is a project for the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged,” the brutally honest listing reads. 

“If you’ve got the cash to splash, the skills to wield a hammer, and the courage to embark on a journey of architectural resurrection, welcome to your new home.”

Listing photos show the front of the home and back overcome by nature, with shrubs and trees growing in entrance ways and living in cracks, broken windows and exposed rooms.

“The garage, sheds and house are dilapidated and in dire need of thorough restoration. It’s as though it was built and never maintained and gradually fell into disrepair, awaiting a saviour to come and replace its roof, piles, cladding, lining, wiring, plumbing, floor and windows…,” the listing continues.

“Oh, and the property boundary runs right through the middle of the house, so you will need to make a boundary adjustment at your expense with the amicable neighbour.”

Murray told OneRoof the home also has a waterfall at its back and the potential to flood.

Separate to the state of the home, Murray also learned about the home’s previous owner, a handyman from the Netherlands, who had a tragic end.

“He’d actually made his own circular saw, or, perhaps not made his own circular saw but certainly tried to repair and circular saw blade by welding it,” he said.

“That turned out to be a very bad idea, because it exploded and killed him. So on the property, there was an unnatural death.”

In New Zealand, real estate agents are required to disclose deaths at a property if it was an unnatural death. 

The same rule does not apply in Australia, though agents do need to disclose “material facts” that could impact a buyer’s decision. 

This includes deaths and if the property was the scene of a murder or manslaughter.

Murray said the new owner was aware of the home’s limitations.

The Con Street property was listed for NZ$145,000 ($134,000) before relisting at NZ$115,000 ($106,000).

The final sale price was not disclosed.