MORE than 50 bidders packed out an auction in Murwillumbah to buy nine flood-affected homes for a combined $712,000.<\/p>\n
The homes, from Burringbar and South Murwillumbah, were part of the NSW government’s buyback program under the $880 million Resilient Homes Program.<\/p>\n
The highest price was $200,000 for a property in Wardrop Street, which attracted seven bidders. Other homes sold for between $4000 and $155,000.<\/p>\n
Jackie and Luke Edwards, who run a honey business near Lismore, paid $35,000 at a previous auction for a 105-year-old cottage near Crozier Oval.<\/p>\n
“We were looking at around $400,000 to be able to build a house. This is an awesome option for us,” Jackie said.<\/p>\n
“We are giving this house a second lease on life, and I hope more people consider it as an option.”<\/p>\n
Recovery minister and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the program was giving people an opportunity to reuse homes that would otherwise be demolished.<\/p>\n
“We are giving people from all walks of life a chance at a new start inside safe and dry weatherboard houses with corrugated iron roofs keeping the rain out overhead,” Saffin said.<\/p>\n
“These homes speak to the history of the Northern Rivers, with old hardwood timbers, stained glass windows and verandahs.<\/p>\n
“The demand from the public is there, and we want to make as many homes as possible available so people can relocate them to a safer area.”<\/p>\n
The auction was conducted by First National Real Estate and was the latest in a series held across the Northern Rivers.<\/p>\n
So far, 699 flood buyback properties have been settled and hundreds of houses are being offered up for auction and relocation. Homes unsuitable for removal will be demolished.<\/p>\n
More auctions are planned in September and October.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MORE than 50 bidders packed out an auction in Murwillumbah to buy nine flood-affected homes for a combined $712,000. The homes, from Burringbar and South Murwillumbah, were part of the NSW government’s buyback program under the $880 million Resilient Homes Program. The highest price was $200,000 for a property in Wardrop Street, which attracted seven […]<\/p>\n