Original retro homes for sale under $700k

If we’ve learnt anything from The Block over the years, it’s how much value can be added by renovating an existing home.

Buying something in its “original condition” might not be as immediately pretty as other options on the market, but with some vision and sweat equity, older properties can be dramatically transformed – and in the process, potentially speed up that capital growth.

Refurbishing to restore the existing design style, renovating to update the look, extending up or out, or maybe even take to it with a bulldozer and start all over again, homes with retro bones are a blank canvas that can come with a lower purchase price.

Here’s a round up of some of the best currently on the market leaving you change from $750,000.

61 Elizabeth Street, Castlemaine

$595,000

$575,000

61 Elizabeth Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450

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With its artsy crowd and attendant cafes, Castlemaine is a popular destination for tree-changers and for the price of a two-bedroom inner-city apartment, you can keep your weekends busy transforming this three bedroom, brick home from the early mid-century era.

Typical of the period is the massive, fully fenced backyard, which comes with a six-metre by 5.5-metre garage, additional sheds, and a water tank, plus enough left over space for a studio, garden or even further development and subdivision (STCA).

441 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Frankston North

$580,000-$638,000

SOLD - $695,000

441 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Frankston North VIC 3200

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Offering timber-veneer panelling throughout, orange laminex benches in the kitchen and louvre doors on the wardrobes, there’s plenty of 1970s retro vibes in this three-bedroom brick home in Frankston North, which could be restored to its former glory, rented out, renovated to today’s tastes or even knocked down and reimagined entirely. Sitting on almost 600 square metres, the block also provides potential for subdivision (STCA).

244 Denmar Street, East Albury

$699,000

$699,000

244 Denmar Street, East Albury NSW 2640

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Albury offers all the benefits of a major regional city, while remaining a reasonable driving distance from Melbourne (three hours), Canberra (four hours) and Sydney (six hours).

This blank canvas is in East Albury and offers three bedrooms and a workshop under the house.

Some tinkering with the floor plan, or with 765 square metres of land to play with, an extension (STCA), this could easily become a four-bedroom house, which would add an extra $100,000 given the median price for one of those is $800,000.

7/13 Blackwood Road, Logan Central

$399,000+

$399,000+

7/13 Blackwood Road, Logan Central QLD 4114

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Located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the growing suburb of Logan Central offers an affordable entry into the property market.

This two-bedroom townhouse, over two levels with a single lock up garage, is in original condition. With a functional floor plan, there’s no need to knock down walls, so you can get busy updating the aesthetic aspects and add that value.

44 Passmore Street, West Richmond

$725,000

SOLD - $815,000

44 Passmore Street, West Richmond SA 5033

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Just fifteen minutes from Adelaide’s CBD and you can step back in time to the 1950s, with this three bedroom home – held by the same family for six decades – still retaining most of its original aesthetic.

With almost 18 metres of street frontage, this 780-square-metre block comes with a single garage and a granny flat with a bathroom, opening up plenty of options. The location also offers easy access to both the airport and beach.