Creative property blurb attracts unprecedented media attention for dilapidated Seddonville house

Munted: This 120-year-old house is in an excellent location on a rise, surrounded by hills and forest and with a stunning view of a waterfall. The garage, sheds and house are dilapidated and in dire need of thorough restoration.

It’s as though it was built and never maintained and gradually fell into disrepair, awaiting a saviour to come and replace its roof, piles, cladding, lining, wiring, plumbing, floor and windows…Oh, and the property boundary runs right through the middle of the house, so you will need to make a boundary adjustment at your expense with the amicable neighbour.

If you’re looking for a new house, this property is not for you. However, if you have the pockets, the skills and the temerity to fully renovate and restore this historic house, the endpoint will be an extraordinary home in a superb location.

So, I’m seeking handy people with sufficient capital to buy the property, to fund the remedial work and with the desire to own a quaint colonial house in the historic settlement of Seddonville surrounded by natural beauty and coal-mining history.

This lovely ode by an unknown poet is stencilled on an ancient hand-adzed beam in the house: “May the beauty of the mountains- the forests- the lakes-the oceans-the plants and the animals always strike music with you. May the harmony of nature always teach and provide for your kind. Now and forever. Seek peace within, and love abounds. Arohanui/Kiaora.”

If you seek a home that embraces this sentiment, and you can see what could be rather than what is, extract your chequebook, prepare your tools and get stuck into restoring this beauty, and, pretty soon, you’ll be living these words.

In summary, this isn’t a mere “fixer-upper;” this is a project for the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged. If you’ve got the cash to splash, the skills to wield a hammer, and the courage to embark on a journey of architectural resurrection, welcome to your new home.

Please call Paul today for additional information and to arrange an inspection of this charming project and opportunity to employ your home-renovation skills.

Chattels: Fixed floor coverings, Light fittings, Drapes, Garden Shed, Ceiling Fans, Clothesline, Gas Stove, Hob/cooktop – Gas, Refrigerator, Sky Dish not connected, Washing Machine – “as is,” Washing Machine Taps, Water Tank – Well Pump

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Californian ‘surfer dude’ offers to buy

‘munted’ house in Kiwi coal mining town

Property boundary runs right through middle of dilapidated two-bedroom home.

By Catherine Masters: 17 April 2024

The two bedroom shack at 12 Con Street, in Seddonville, Buller, is priced at $145,000. Photo / Supplied

A “surfer dude” from California has made an offer on a “munted” house in West Coast, with a sale looking imminent, according to listing agent Paul Murray, from Property Brokers.

But if the deal falls through, Murray said there were plenty of others who were interested in the flawed two-bedroom property – all of them tradies, builders or handypeople.

The 120-year-old house at 12 Con Street in the coal-mining town of Seddonville is on the market for sale for $145,000. It is labelled in Murray’s marketing as “munted” and is described as dilapidated and in dire need of restoration. It also has the property boundary running right through the middle of the house.

Murray said he was amazed at not just at the interest in the property but the reach of the marketing.

He said his buyer from California had been to Seddonville before and sent a trusted friend to look at the property on his behalf. He then made an offer because of the keen interest from others, deciding to buy first then sort out the boundary issues later.

He said the “surfer dude” had Australian residency so was “permitted to buy a house here”.

The buyer’s offer, which was under the $145,000 asking price, had been accepted and the paperwork was underway, Murray told OneRoof.

The house is in a poor shape and is need of a major upgrade. Photo / Supplied

Murray’s marketing doesn’t shy away from highlighting the property’s many flaws – but it also makes a case for its delights. “This 120-year-old house is in an excellent location on a rise, surrounded by hills and forest and with a stunning view of a waterfall,” the listing on OneRoof said.

But the house was awaiting a “saviour” to come and replace the roof, piles, cladding, lining, wiring, plumbing, floor and windows – “oh, and the property boundary runs right through the middle of the house so you will need to make a boundary adjustment at your expense with an amicable neighbour”.

He points out the garage, sheds and house are dilapidated and writes it is as though the house was built but never maintained, gradually falling into disrepair.

Murray told OneRoof he wanted people to know what they were buying.

He had several lengthy conversations with the Californian and recommended a local lawyer, but while everyone urged caution he said the buyer and his partner sounded “fairly intrepid”.

“They’ve been to Alaska and done different things and are familiar with living in remote areas which has challenges and also enormous benefits,” he said.

The kitchen isn’t exactly an entertainer’s delight. Photo / Supplied

The current owner had only owned the house a few years and Murray said he did not know a lot about its past or how it ended up with such deferred maintenance issues, but said maintaining properties was challenge, requiring concerted effort and money.

“The reason properties slip behind is simply financial, and we’re talking about one of the lowest socioeconomic areas in the whole country and with property maintenance costs that are probably higher than most areas of the country given the proximity of services and availability of different suppliers and manufacturers and what have you,” Murray said.

While there are a lot of handy people around, actual tradespeople are not so easy to find, he said.

“I live in Karamea, which is right at the top of the West Coast and we struggle with plumbing. If you know a plumber out there that wants to come and live in an awesome place, put him on to me. I’ll do him a special deal on a munted house.”

The biggest challenge the new owner will have to sort out is the boundary, which runs right through the middle of the house. Photo by Paul Murray.

While there are a few more munted houses around, most are actually in fair condition, he said.

This house was built back when Seddonville was destined for greater things but that never really eventuated.

“If you have a look at any sort of town plan map of Seddonville it’s incredible the number of sections that are there, paper roads that have never been formed and the number of houses that have never been built.”

According to the NZ History website, the town was named in honour of Liberal premier Richard Seddon and was also the site of an early experiment in state socialism with the country’s first state-owned coal mine opening there in 1903.

The mine struggled, though, and closed in 1914, and later the area became a centre for other mines, but the website said because of exceptionally high sulfur content Seddonville coal became difficult to sell and mining ceased in the 1990s.

One of the standout features of the property is the stunning setting. Photo by Paul Murray.

Murray said the house was in a great spot with access to surfing, mountain biking and other outdoor activities in the area, and said once restored, the property would make good capital gain.

But not only that, despite it being “wrecked,” the house had a nice feel. It would have had a family living there, and he thinks probably had a Māori presence because of a “lovely poem” stenciled on a beam in the house.

The poem says: “May the beauty of the mountains – the forests – the lakes – the oceans – the plants and the animals always strike music with you. May the harmony of nature always teach and provide for your kind. Now and forever. Seek peace within, and love abounds. Arohanui/Kiaora.”

But while there is that lovely feel, Murray said, “you’d have to be handier than a Hindu love god to renovate the bloody place.”

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‘Munted’ house for sale straddles two property boundaries

Colleen Hawkes

April 05, 2024, • 12:43pm STUFF

There’s a lot needs doing with this ultimate do-up in Seddonville, Buller. But first a potential buyer needs to sort out a problem with the property boundaries that run through the house and outbuildings. It was built in 1908.

• Dilapidated house in Seddonville is listed for $145,000
• Two boundary lines run through the house. It encroaches both the neighbour’s property and council land
• No-one knows how this happened back in 1908
• Potential buyers will need to negotiate with the “amiable” neighbour and the council
• The property comes with two other sections in a flood zone

You can’t beat honesty when it comes to selling property, and the agent selling this $145K semi-derelict house in Seddonville, Buller tells it like it is.

“Munted” is the word he uses, but the poor state of the house that hasn’t been a permanent home for several years is not the only catch. The house straddles the boundary line with the neighbour’s property. And what’s more, another part of the house encroaches onto a paper road that is council land.

The yellow lines define the true boundary of the property, which sprawls out onto another property and council land. The hand-drawn red line shows how much extra land has been claimed (approximately double), and potentially could be negotiated with the respective landowners.

This is how listing agent Paul Murray of Property Brokers, Wesport puts it: “The garage, sheds and house are dilapidated and in dire need of thorough restoration. It’s as though it was built and never maintained, and gradually fell into disrepair, awaiting a saviour to come and replace its roof, piles, cladding, lining, wiring, plumbing, floor and windows…Oh, and the property boundary runs right through the middle of the house, so you will need to make a boundary adjustment at your expense with the amicable neighbour.”

Murray has no idea how the house, built in 1908, ended up across both the neighbour’s and council land.

Listing agent Paul Murray says the house has a certain rustic charm but renovating will be a job for “the bold, the brave and the slightly unhinged”.

“Way back when the house was built, this was a large coal-mining town and roads and thousands of sections were laid out in preparation for it to become a big city. But of course that was never realised. There’s a lot of vacant land.”

Murray says the neighbour is very amenable to working out an agreement with a potential buyer, but the buyer would also need to talk to the council. Murray has heard a report that a previous owner had already done a deal with the council over the paper road, but this is unconfirmed by documentation to date.

‘It would be very much posh camping’

“You could live in the house as it is, as it does have power, water and a septic tank, but it would be very much posh camping,” he says. “And the well is on the council land.”

“It could be possible to remove the house and build another one elsewhere on the site, but the land drops away and it would be a tiny home.”

Murray says there’s also the problem of potential flooding. “Although this house is elevated, the neighbour says floodwaters have been through it once in his lifetime, but not in the 2010 flood.”

“I wanted to write it up [the listing] as it is,” Murray says. “I didn’t want prospective buyers to come out to look at with expectations I couldn’t meet. They would have to be a bloody sight handier than me to take it on as a project. And there will be significant costs to develop and resurrect the house.

Murray also says while the house has water (the well is on council land), power and a septic tank, to stay here would be like posh camping.

The original coal range is still in the house, along with a newer cooker.

“I’m just looking for the right person who will go into it with their eyes open, with all the info we can give them.”

Murray says the current owner, who lives in Christchurch, bought the property a few years ago with the intention of doing it up. But he works at property maintenance in the city and found he wanted a break when he came out here, and this property demands too much work. Hence the decision to sell.

There are pluses, however, including attractive natural scenic views in every direction, from rolling hills to forests. “There is also a stunning waterfall behind the house,” Murray says.

Everything is rough and ready.

There is a timber-lined bathroom.

The house still has the original kitchen range as well as a newer oven, and despite its abandoned look, it has been loved at some stage. There’s a large beam in the living area, carved with the words: “May the beauty of the mountains- the forests- the lakes-the oceans-the plants and the animals always strike music with you. May the harmony of nature always teach and provide for your kind. Now and forever. Seek peace within, and love abounds. Arohanui/Kiaora”

‘Job for the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged’

Murray notes the house does have a rustic charm, but a restoration will not be a mere “fixer-upper”. It’s a job for “the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged”.

And here’s the thing – he has had far more enquiries about this property than any of the lovely fully renovated houses he has on his books.

The owner is including a new woodburner in the sale to replace the one seen here.

“I have been getting enormous interest, with three to four calls every day. And that’s definitely down to the asking price of $145,000, and the potential to do a value-added project. The current owner paid $97,000 for the property three-and-a-half years ago, and will look at any reasonable offer.”

Murray says the owner has included in the sale roofing material for about half the roof, and a new Scandia WarmBrite woodburner.

There is also some bare land on a separate title included in the sale, however, this land is definitely in the flood zone.

This large beam is carved with a poem that includes the words: “May the beauty of the mountains- the forests- the lakes-the oceans-the plants and the animals always strike music with you.”

Murray also points out the area has numerous attractions, including sites of historical interest, fishing, surfing, bushwalking, mountain bike trails and the famed Ghost Rd.

“It’s just a gut thing, but the region feels like it’s primed to take off.”

The property is at 12 Con Rd, Seddonville, Buller and listed with Property Brokers Westport.

It appears as though no maintenance has been carried out for many decades.

There’s no denying the peace and privacy of the location.

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‘Munted’ house for sale attracts numerous enquiries

Colleen Hawkes

April 11, 2024, • 10:36am STUFF

There’s a lot needs doing with this ultimate do-up in Seddonville, Buller, but that hasn’t deterred potential buyers keen for a project. Two property boundaries run through the house and outbuildings. It was built in 1908.

• Dilapidated house in Seddonville listed for $145,000 has generated plenty of interest from carpenters and builders
• Two boundary lines run through the house – it encroaches both the neighbour’s property and council land
• Potential buyers will need to negotiate with the “amiable” neighbour and the council
• The property comes with two other sections in a flood zone

A boundary line running right through the middle of this house, with another through the outbuildings, is proving no deterrent for chippies. They have flooded the real estate agency with enquiries since Stuff featured a story on the property last week.

Listing agent Paul Murray of Property Brokers in Westport says enquiries about the “worst house in New Zealand” have increased ten-fold in the past week.

The yellow lines define the true boundary of the property, which sprawls out onto another property and council land. The hand-drawn red line shows how much extra land has been claimed (approximately double), and potentially could be negotiated with the respective landowners.

And it’s carpenters and builders who have shown the most interest in the Seddonville property and the house built in 1908. “Chippies from all over New Zealand have called, and I have even taken a call from California,” Murray says.

“That call was from a young guy who is a carpenter and an Australian citizen who can actually purchase the property. He and his partner are looking at relocating and taking it on as a project, and making it theirs.”

Listing agent Paul Murray says the house has a certain rustic charm but renovating will be a job for “the bold, the brave and the slightly unhinged”.

Murray says at least 20 of the enquiries are from people genuinely interested in buying the property, and they understand they will likely need to negotiate the sale of a piece of land with the neigbour.

“The neighbour is very happy to discuss a boundary change and sell the land. But buyers would also need to negotiate with the local council about the paper road that has been built upon.

“The enquiries I’ve received are largely about the house. Is it liveable? And it is, but I tell them it would be like posh camping. They also want to know how much the neighbour wants for the land.

“It’s difficult to answer that question. We would need to go to the neighbour with a solid proposal showing exactly where a new boundary might run.”

Murray says potential buyers will need to allow time to have a surveyor work out the boundary details, and for the negotiations.

He also believes the “project” is best suited to someone who has the skills to do the renovation work themselves, as tradespeople are in demand on the coast.

Murray also says while the house has water (the well is on council land), power and a septic tank, to stay here would be like posh camping.

“It would make sense to renovate rather than demolish and rebuild, as they wouldn’t need to go through the whole building consent process.”

Murray says buyers on the coast are mostly looking at properties where they think they can make a capital gain. “But people often don’t take into account the associated cost of building in remote areas and the availability [or lack thereof] of tradespeople.”

In his listing, he notes the “munted” house does have a rustic charm, but a restoration will not be a mere “fixer-upper”. It’s a job for “the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged”.

The original coal range is still in the house, along with a newer cooker.

And there’s another potential problem – potential flooding. “Although this house is elevated, the neighbour says floodwaters have been through it once in his lifetime, but not in the 2010 flood.”

The property is listed at $145,000. Murray says the current owner paid $97,000 for the property three-and-a-half years ago, and will look at any reasonable offer.

“The price is a drawcard – it’s an opportunity for someone to get on the first rung of the property ladder. But it’s also about ‘location, location, location’. The property is on the doorstep of the national park. It’s perfect for outdoor activities.”

Everything is rough and ready.

The owner is including a new woodburner to replace the one seen here.

Murray says the owner has included in the sale roofing material for about half the roof, and a new Scandia WarmBrite woodburner.

There is also some bare land on a separate title included in the sale, however, this land is definitely in a flood zone.

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‘Munted’ house up for sale on West Coast gets snapped up

Joanne Naish

April 23, 2024 The Christchurch Press

A 120-year-old “munted” house for sale in Seddonville has been snapped up.

A West Coast house described as “munted” on its for sale listing has been snapped up by an American surfer.

Property Brokers real estate agent Paul Murray said the $145,000 listing for the property on Con St in Seddonville, northern Buller, went viral after his “honest” descriptions featured in a Stuff story.

“I wish I had that much interest from actual nice houses I have for sale. It went international and I have it under contract sight unseen with a couple from California who are Australian citizens and eligible to buy a house in New Zealand.”

The 120-year-old house was in an excellent location on a rise, surrounded by hills and forest, and with a stunning view of a waterfall, he said.

Real estate agent Paul Murray says the new owners need money and skills to take on the project.

However, the buyer “would need to be more handy than a Hindu love God” to take it on.

“It needs a new roof, new floor, new cladding, new windows, new piles, new plumbing and wiring, otherwise it’s perfectly fine.”

The house is 100m², and the land area is 2861m². The property has an rateable value of $130,000, plus a land value of $70,000.

Murray said the US couple had been to Seddonville before and had a friend look at the house on their behalf before putting in an offer.

The yellow lines define the true boundary of the property, which sprawls out onto another property and council land. The hand-drawn red line shows how much extra land has been claimed (about double), and potentially could be negotiated with the respective landowners.

The offer was accepted by the owner, pending a LIM report and solicitor’s approval.

One of the new buyers was a carpenter and “surfer dude” attracted to the surfing spots on the West Coast, Murray said.

The new owners would have to have sufficient capital to fund the remedial work needed and potentially buy surrounding land from the “amicable” neighbour and local council.

It would require a boundary adjustment at the new owner’s expense because the property boundary ran right through the middle of the house and the property’s shed and well were on an unformed council-owned paper road.

A poem is etched on a beam inside the old house.

Murray’s listing said the buyer would have to have “the pockets, the skills and the temerity” to fully renovate and restore the old house.

“The endpoint will be an extraordinary home in a superb location… In summary, this isn’t a mere fixer-upper; this is a project for the bold, the brave, and the slightly unhinged. If you’ve got the cash to splash, the skills to wield a hammer, and the courage to embark on a journey of architectural resurrection, welcome to your new home,” he wrote.

Murray said the house featured an ancient hand-adzed beam, with a poem stencilled on it.

The poem reads: “May the beauty of the mountains, the forests, the lakes, the oceans, the plants and the animals always strike music with you. May the harmony of nature always teach and provide for your kind. Now and forever. Seek peace within, and love abounds. Arohanui/Kia ora.”

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The Westport News April 23, 2024