Want to buy your own TOWN? Hamlet with a butcher, baker, post office and a house hits the market for just $49,000
- The lot in a small country town has hit the market for less than $50,000, and already has plenty of interest
- The town has just 114 permanent residents, who can't wait to see the abandoned buildings get a face lift
- Shanty stores which shut up shop over 30 years ago are included in the unusual offering by its elderly owner
A strip of a small country Australian town could be yours for the dirt-cheap price of just $49,000.
The quaint town of Watchem is up for grabs, offering up four buildings that were once a bakery, post office, butcher and a house.
The dilapidated stores of Watchem, 300 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, have been reduced to rubble since shutting up shop more than 30 years ago, leaving the town looking like something out of an old Western movie.
6-8 Hoban Street in Watchem, north-west of Melbourne is for sale for just $49,000
$49,000 will get you 3,250 square metres of land, including the old post office, a small solid brick shop and an old bakery fit with two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge area, and even an old style outhouse to top it off.
'The existing house is a renovate or detonate situation, and honestly it would be touch-and-go if you could actually do it up,' Local real estate agent Rob Lehmann told the Weekly Times.
But the town isn't completely deserted, it's home to 114 people who have access to the local general store, swimming pool, hotel and large historic church.
The town only has 114 residents who can't wait to see the 3/4 acre lot snapped up so it can be developed or renovated
The plot of land includes the old post office, a small solid brick shop and an old bakery
In the large back yard is the original, brick construction, bakery ovens. From the remains you can still make out the ovens
The historic site is owned by an elderly Melbourne woman, and includes remains of the bakery ovens, believed to be more than 100 years old
Every summer more than 300 tourists (or more than twice the town's population) descend on the Watchem Lake, which offers water skiing, camping, playground equipment and modern facilities.
The future lucky buyer's new town has a lot of potential, either as a country retreat development, or a renovated farm house. 'Somebody could build accommodation on the land, perfectly positioned between the swim spot and the pub,' Mr Lehmann added.
In the unusual package deal you also get the old Watchem bakery, which consists of a cement floored baking area, which could easily be converted into a garage, or even become a renovator's bakers' residence
The town's real estate agent said the project would be either renovate or detonate, with the buildings having been abandoned for over 30 years
In the unusual package deal you also get the old Watchem bakery, which consists of a cement floored baking area
The substantial parcel of land of over 3,250 sq. mts or over 3/4 acre in the hamlet of Watchem between Donald and Birchip in north west Victoria.
North West Real Estate’s Rob Lehmann said somebody could “buy the town”, located 315 kilometres from Melbourne
The lot is currently owned by an elderly Melbourne woman, but locals are keen to see someone snatch up the offer so the space can be tidied up and made easier on the eye.
But potential buyers shouldn't sit on their decision for too long, with Mr Lehmann saying the unique offering has already attracted plenty of attention.
Anyone who wants more information can call Rob Lehmann on 0467 044484.
You get the whole town or just one small lot ?
by yank1776 4