Where are they now? Biggest dumps revisited
Where do you draw the line when it comes to a fixer-upper? Does a lack of power or water faze you? What about a dirt bike parked in the kitchen, or an off-putting smell?
For the buyers who bought homes like these, they knew what they were getting into when they signed on the dotted line – or maybe they didn’t.
After numerous phone calls with agents and much time spent on Google Maps, I have discovered whether these homes have undergone a much-needed refresh.
Uninhabitable deceased estate in Port Melbourne, VIC
This three-bedroom terrace, sold at auction in 2019, was in dire condition, with its heritage features still intact.
The home was sold to a buyer who “used to build houses back in the day”, making the purchase for his son to renovate.
What happened to the property?
The home has been renovated and is now for rent.
A refreshed facade – white and crisp – has given the property a new lease of life.
Stepping inside, floorboards and marble benchtops further this feeling of newness. The owners restored the fireplaces, blending timeless charm with a clean, modern aesthetic.
Pest-infested cottage in Dutton Park, QLD
In 2017, an uninhabitable cottage in Dutton Park – a tightly held suburb zoned for top-performing schools – sold at auction to a local family.
The property was described as a rotting pile of scrap wood and touted as the “worst house in the best street”.
What happened to the property?
Google Street View shows that the house no longer exists.
The original listing stated that the new owners would need to apply for demolition permission, and it appears that this has been granted.
In its place stands a two-storey new build, featuring a gabled roof and a white picket fence.
Home with no kitchen, toilet, water or power in Kensington, NSW
This period home sold at auction in 2021 for $4.705 million.
Four bidders registered at the time, with two hoping to restore the home’s features and the other two looking to do a knockdown-rebuild.
The previous owner had planned to restore it before changing their mind; the winning bidder said they would rebuild on the block.
What happened to the property?
According to NG Farah’s Joe Recep, the listing agent at the time, the home has been restored, and the owners have moved in.
Abandoned 1940s Morella Mansion in Mosman, NSW
When this Mosman home sold in late 2024, it was a far cry from its glamorous glory days.
You may recognise this property – well-known among locals and architecture lovers. It sold for $8.6 million, complete with DA-approved plans for restoration.
What happened to the property?
The original listing agent, Bo Zhang, of Atlas Lower North Shore, says the new owner plans to do a full restoration of the property.
The renovation will capture the mansion’s past luxurious splendour, with diligent attention to detail and respect for the home’s original features.
Messy and forgotten beach home in Chelsea, VIC
When this property sold in 2024, listing agent Cameron Howe (of One Agency Longbeach) says it generated an “overwhelming level of interest” despite its poor presentation.
A timber post propped up part of the ceiling, and there was a gaping hole in a bathroom wall. The pool was overgrown with grass.
The redeeming drawcard? Its proximity to Chelsea-Edithvale beach, only a five-minute drive away.
What happened to the property?
“The shittest house in Melbourne has been renovated, with the new owners enjoying their location,” Howe says, adding that a family now calls it home.
He says there’s a great deal of demand for homes in need of some TLC – so much so that he’s willing to waive marketing fees for any vendors with this type of listing. “I’m on a quest to find something worse.”
“Rank” house with a smell “hanging on for its life” in Thuringowa Central, QLD
When this home, near Townsville, sold in early 2024, it wasn’t due to sugar-coated marketing.
Sean Breitkreutz, of Belle Property Townsville, got creative in his straightforward listing, knowing the home simply needed to find an adventurous buyer.
“There are three bedrooms if you’re brave enough to sleep in them right now – and a bathroom that looks like it’s from a horror movie,” said the listing. “The carpet would not have looked out of place in your nanna’s house a hundred years ago (if she never cleaned).”
Stunning renovated homes surrounded the property, so there was no doubt the neighbours hoped to see this home rescued.
What happened to the property?
Breitkreutz says the property has undergone some improvements – a fence has been added and the yard has been cleared.
Dilapidated beach shack in Fishermans Bay, NSW
With untouched bushland directly opposite the property and ocean views, this shack was begging for transformation when it hit the market in early 2024.
The scenic surroundings made up for the sorry state of this home, which, despite its tired look, sold at auction for $860,000.
What happened to the property?
The new owner is a Sydney-based developer, according to the original listing agent Ben George from Aspect Port Stephens.
Renovations are already underway, with plans to convert the 575-square-metre block into a luxury duplex – complete with breathtaking views.
Ex-dumping ground for cars in Cranebrook, NSW
The original listing instructed interested parties to “bring your bulldozer,” with the 2.02-hectare site described as an eyesore. A burnt-out structure contrasts with the other stunning rural estates nearby.
With a large amount of fill on the property, ownership wasn’t for the faint of heart. The land sold for $1.62 million in early 2024.
What happened to the property?
It appears that renovation work has begun, as indicated by photos taken in January 2025 on Google Maps.
Building equipment and debris surround the building. The roof, previously littered with holes, has been fixed.
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