You wouldn’t believe some of the strange and wacky homes that have been sold in Oz the last couple of years, from converted trams to banks. Elliott Placks Director of Ray White Double Bay stated that if you look at the prices these strange homes have fetched, you will realise that there is certainly an appetite even for the unconventional.
The W class tram, built in the 1920s, is now a three-bedroom house with all the bells and whistles. The property, on the outskirts of Muckleford (west of Castlemaine), was for sale for $439,000. Owner Gary Markoff paid around $1,000 to buy the decommissioned vehicle and haul it to the country close to 35 years ago. He said it started as a short-term, affordable living solution but had become a labour of love that grew as his family expanded.
Then there is the “crooked” house. Building engineer George Cross constructed the home’s three-faceted front to resemble an opening flower. The two-bedroom home at 2/43 Beryl Ave, Oakleigh, Victoria which took six years to build, was listed for sale for $895,000.
A historic vault is one of the last reminders of a converted bank in Birregurra’s former life. The property, 77 Main St, Birregurra, was restored over 10 years by the current owners, who purchased it in derelict condition as a renovation project. Their efforts could now have paid off if it sells in the $465,000-$495,000 price range.