We have survived the property exploration trip. After 9 hours of travelling we finally arrived in Bairnsdale on Friday early evening. It was great to be back on home turf, albeit 17 years later, but very little had changed.
After arriving and catching up with our folks we were treated to a meal at the (only) local eatery in Nicholson. Saturday consisted of a bunch of phone calls to local real estate agents to confirm property inspections. Number one was a very interesting place, not a bad house but near vertical land, some trees and some basic shedding. Ok but not for us. We were looking for some flat land near the house for the 1/4 acre of veggie patch we needed. The next one had great land but a house that had not seen a lick of paint since the 50's and needed a new roof (estimates A$50K plus). Having been somewhat subdued we set off into the further regions of Gipplsnad to see what we could find. A number of propreties caught our eye but none seemed to be "the one".
We arranged to see a place with a local agent who is now in his 70's, and very well respected by myself and the community. Intially we went to the wrong address. However, having explained that we were with "Bruce" the real estate agent, the owner (son) looked at me blankly. After a few minutes of converstaion we realised that we had the wrong address but still this place was on the market and on our list. It was owned by a very nice European man called John, who was suffering from ill health, and could no longer look after the property himself. He gave us a great tour of the house and assured us that we would "never run out of water". It was a great experience and really reminded me how friendly the country can be. Unfortunately the young kiddies in the neighbouring property were having a whale of a time on their trail bikes, beeping and making a hell of a racket....not quite the country experience we are looking for :-)
Eventually, we ended up with our trusted real estate agent, Bruce, at the right address!! By all means a lovely property. 17 acres, dam, HUGE shed (scottie was very keen on that), very nicely presented 4 bed, 2 bath property, with 'granny flat'. They were running 6 head of cattle, but feeding them all the same. This property had no town water and was on a busy cross road (well busy in country terms). We felt it was a little over priced considering the lack of town water and location to the cross roads.
So last, but not least, a property of 10 acres; two dams, nice clean liveable house of 3 bed/2 bath and a run down 'granny flat' to boot! We both liked the property but were advised there were other interested parties. Now, despite us being very keen to purchase this "ideal" property, we are not quite in the position to bargain. So although it has town water and the acreage we are looking for, the 5 acres split from this property (yet to have a house built upon) together with the Princes Highway semi trailer brakes (slowing down for Bairnsdale) we decided if this property was not meant to be ours.....it may still be available when we have sold our Brisbane property.
So, the upshot of it all, is that we had a good time viewing properties and this has enabled us to focus on particular priorities that are important to us. ie reno vs starting up sustainability..town water vs water tanks....and the list goes on!
We will focus now on the renovations of the Brisbane house. When we have an offer, then we will engage the great country real estate agents to get their spies out for us and find our ideal home.........pics of the finalisation of reno of the Brissie house will be loaded as we achieve those goals. Expect more.......until next time.
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