The former school at 200 Fentons Creek Whela Rd, Fentons Creek, is almost 150 years old.
A dilapidated former school in regional Victoria lacking wiring and plumbing is for sale with a $145,000 price tag.
Property Plus Real Estate Rural’s Greg Fathers said the 2.02ha property in Fentons Creek, about 30km from St Arnaud, would likely be purchased by a tradesperson keen to restore it as a weekend retreat.
The one-time school’s asking price is much lower than regional Victoria’s $618,000 median house value, according to PropTrack.
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The ex-school at 200 Fentons Creek Whela Rd features a wooden combustion heater and flue in the old single classroom.
“What you’re buying is the shell of the building,” Mr Fathers said.
“The walls and the roof are there, but that’s about it.”
Located roughly 226km northwest of Melbourne, Fentons Creek recorded a population of just 27 residents in the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics’ census.
Historic records show the school opened in 1879 and shut its doors in 1973.
The property is bordered by sugar gum trees and also has a small dam.
The former place of learning closed in the 1970s.
The building is need of some TLC.
Mr Fathers said the building was not connected to water or power but could potentially be linked to a water pipeline, plus power, that’s across the road.
After the school closed, a local farming family purchased the land intending to transform it into a museum or something similar but never realised their plans.
Mr Fathers said the “unique and original” premises offered high ceilings, timber panelling and timber floors.
The ex-school sits on a 2.02ha land parcel.
In Victoria’s northwest, 52-54 Lyle St, Warracknabeal, is on the market with a $109,000 price tag. NorthWest Real Estate’s John Hadley has the listing.
He said it would be preferable to renovate the former school rather than demolish it, because the building was situated in a farming zone – meaning authorities would be unlikely to issue a permit for a new building on the site.
“It’s an affordable project for someone to come up on a few weekends and turn into something quite nice,” Mr Fathers said.
“I think it’s going to be the pride and joy of a tradie that comes up there weekends and works on it, and the kids can run around and have a horse and all that sort of stuff.”
Bargain hunters could also find a new project at 29 Glen St, Walpeup, for sale at with a$115,000-$125,000 asking range.
The home’s sales campaign is being overseen by Ray White’s Brett Driscoll.
A handful of other regional Victorian addresses are on the market with sub-$150,000 asking prices, including 52/54 Lyle St, Warracknabeal.
Priced at $109,000, the two-bedroom house’s listing mentions it would require a major renovation to be made liveable and would best be redeveloped.
An “ugly duckling” which could be turned into a “beautiful swan” is 29 Glen St, Walpeup, on the market with $115,000-$125,000 price hopes.
44 Charles St, Jesparit, is for sale via expressions of interest with $128,000-$140,000 price hopes. It’s another property being marketed by NorthWest Real Estate’s John Hadley.
Most of the belongings in the property will be included in the sale.
The three-bedroom house in northwest Victoria features yellow-painted walls, a new Colorbond fence and a permit to store up to 10 vehicles on-site.
About 370km northwest of Melbourne, a weatherboard house at 44 Charles St, Jeparit, “needs a bit of work” to be transformed into a comfortable home. It’s for sale with a $128,000-$140,000 range.
The house at 94 Commercial St, Kaniva, is for sale at $139,000.
Westech Real Estate’s Stuart Kyle has the listing.
And a two-bedroom brick-clad home at 94 Commercial St, Kaniva, – close to Victoria’s border with South Australia – is asking $139,000.
A chimney and wall have already been removed to create an open living area, with the future owner able to install a kitchen and bathroom to suit their own tastes.
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