News Corp Australia
First published 3 Mar 2025, 10:21am
A once-cherished Coober Pedy property, destroyed by vandals after tragedy struck the family that lived there, now offers the chance of home ownership to others facing financial hardship.
The “tiny home’’ at Lot 527 Van Brugge Street is being sold under instructions of the Public Trustee and is expected to fetch little more than land value when it goes under the hammer this month.
Selling agent Misty Mance, of Andrews Property, would not disclose current land prices in the opal mining town but, on the same street, a slightly smaller 925 sqm vacant allotment on two titles is currently listed for sale for $25,000.
PropTrack data shows median selling prices for homes in Coober Pedy is $91,250, down 17 per cent from last year.
While the sales listing describes the miners-style house as suitable for those seeking a “home renovation project’’, it’s in such a state of disrepair that it’s impossible to tell how many bedrooms it once contained.
Several walls have been ripped back to their timber frames and there’s gaping holes in others, including the front facade.
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The home at Lot 527 Van Brugge Street, Coober Pedy was once a loved family home.
The home has been vandalised and now offers a chance to renovator or demolish.
Smashed walls, old furniture and graffiti are found within what remains of the home.
A pedestal basin, presumably in what was once a bathroom, has been smashed in two, flooring has been destroyed, the kitchen sink torn from the wall and there’s countless empty boxes of beer, rubbish and cobwebs throughout.
The charred remains of a caravan – completely burned to the ground – still occupy the large 1000sqm block and while power and water are available, they are not connected.
Despite this, Ms Mance said “the roof seems sound’’ and the house “feels as if its safe’’ for inspection, which is strictly by appointment only.
“I’m not a builder but it still has bones there,’’ she said.
“Someone might have the ability … to develop (repair) what is there or it could be knocked down and a fresh project started.
“Not everyone has eight or nine million dollars for a house in Adelaide.
“(This property presents) people the opportunity to get a foot in the door (to home
ownership) and gives people a home that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s still a valid property that could be of value to someone.’’
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Boxes of VB litters the property.
What remains of the former bathroom.
The property could sell for as little as $25,000 at auction.
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Ms Mance said it was sad to see the home in its current condition, having previously been occupied by a Greek woman and her two young boys who had kept it in immaculate condition.
“I remember watching the boys grow up at school – one was a bit older than me and one was a bit younger,’’ she said.
“The family had a bit of hardship. The mother was quite unwell. They were a poor family but they really looked after the home and it was quite beautiful.
“After the mother passed, unfortunately one of the boys passed too and the other left town and, after that, people (vandals) have just gone and destroyed the home.’’
The property will be auctioned on Thursday, March 20.
English (US) · 