While Australia’s housing market continues to reach record highs, a surprising trend is unfolding in quieter towns and regional areas. Properties are still being sold for less than one-tenth of the national median price some requiring renovation, others offering quirky charm. These homes may not be luxurious, but they highlight that affordability has not entirely vanished from the Australia real estate landscape.
The big picture: rising prices vs. hidden bargains
According to Clickclickaus July Home Price Index, the national median dwelling value climbed to $827,000, the highest on record. For many aspiring buyers, this reinforces the idea that homeownership is increasingly out of reach.
Yet, hidden across rural towns and regional centers, sales data reveals another story. A handful of homes changed hands for $85,000 or less. While these properties are far from perfect some require structural repair, others contain termites or outdated interiors, they still represent a gateway into the property market. For buyers who want to buy home in Australia without entering bidding wars in the capitals, such opportunities demonstrate resilience in the lower end of the market.
Case studies: Australia’s cheapest sales
1. Beehives in the Walls – Urana, New South Wales
One of the most striking examples came from 4 Anna Street, Urana, a century-old rural home sold for $85,000. The property had been abandoned for years, partially gutted, and even housed beehives within its walls. Its selling agent described it with unusual candor: “renovate or detonate.”
Despite its condition, the sale attracted a Sydney buyer who had never physically inspected the property, illustrating the growing willingness of investors and buyers to take risks in pursuit of affordability.
Renovate or wrecking ball? Urana cottage snapped up for $85K.
2. Termite challenges – Birchip, Victoria
In Birchip, Victoria, another property sold for $85,000 despite clear evidence of termite damage. The listing openly stated that the home required significant work and did not meet rental standards. Still, its connection to essential utilities such as power, water, and sewerage made it appealing to a determined buyer.
For those planning to buy home in Victorian towns, such opportunities reflect both the risks and rewards of entering the market at the lowest price point. The house, estimated to be 70–80 years old, was ultimately purchased by an owner-occupier, proving that not all bargain sales are speculative investments.
Birchip house with termite damage sells for $85K.
3. Retro charm – Broken Hill, New South Wales
At 16 Jamieson Street, Broken Hill, an $85,000 home offered three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen decorated with retro orange cabinetry and wallpaper. While dated, it attracted buyers seeking an affordable entry point, as well as those drawn to its mid-20th-century charm.
This sale highlights the appeal of character homes in smaller towns. Rather than being written off as obsolete, such properties provide renovators with a chance to preserve vintage design while upgrading essential features.
Retro vibes abound in this Broken Hill home.
4. Western Australia’s Fibro Cottage – Mingenew
In Mingenew, Western Australia, a fibro home on a large 1,044 sqm block sold for $112,000. The listing offered no interior photographs and clearly stated that the house was sold “as is.” Despite the need for extensive repair, the size of the land created long-term value for the buyer.
This reflects a broader pattern: even in poor condition, land itself retains enduring worth, particularly in regional towns where block sizes are larger and redevelopment potential is higher.
5. Tasmania’s Valley Views – Poatina
Tasmania’s cheapest July sale was a timber unit in Poatina purchased for $180,000. Unlike other distressed properties, this home offered panoramic valley and highland views. Featuring two bedrooms and an open-plan living area, the home represented lifestyle-driven affordability.
Tasmania continues to attract buyers seeking natural landscapes and lower costs compared to mainland capitals, making such sales increasingly common.
This Tassie cabin boasts views from every window.
6. Tropical Living – Cairns, Queensland
Queensland’s most affordable sale was a studio apartment in Cairns North, sold for $115,000. While modest in size, the property benefited from being part of a gated complex that included amenities such as a swimming pool and barbecue facilities.
For buyers who want to buy home in Australia near lifestyle-rich destinations, such properties demonstrate that affordability can still align with convenience and leisure.
7. Entry-Level Canberra apartment – Hackett, ACT
In Canberra’s inner north, a ground-floor unit sold for $262,000, making it the ACT’s cheapest sale for the month. The unit was one of several built in the 1960s and 1970s, representing the most affordable real estate options in central Canberra.
While requiring some updating, the location near Dickson’s shopping precinct ensured ongoing investor interest.
An affordable entry into Canberra’s market.
What these sales tell us
Together, these sales illustrate an important truth about the Australian property market: while headlines often focus on soaring prices in Sydney and Melbourne, there remains a diverse range of affordable opportunities elsewhere.
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Risk and reward: Bargain homes often come with hidden costs from pest treatment to full-scale renovations. Buyers must balance initial savings against potential future expenses.
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Regional potential: Many of the cheapest sales occurred in regional towns, where land sizes are larger and competition is lower.
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Investor appeal: Even properties requiring major work attract investors, highlighting the enduring value of land and location in Australia real estate.
Conclusion: Affordability still exists, If you know where to look
In an era where the median Australian home costs nearly $827,000, the existence of sales under $200,000 is a reminder that the market is not uniform. For buyers willing to compromise on location, condition, or aesthetics, there remain opportunities to step onto the property ladder.
Whether you want to buy home in Victorian countryside, explore tropical apartments in Queensland, or secure land in Western Australia, affordable real estate continues to exist though it often comes with the challenge of significant repairs.
For some, these properties are not merely homes but blank canvases, offering the chance to rebuild, restore, or reinvent. And for others, they are investment strategies, banking on the simple truth that land, no matter its condition, rarely loses its value.
