Australia's property bargains: Where you can buy for $100,000 or less

We certainly hear a lot about the top end of town and their property habits: the $10 million sales, $20 million sales are not infrequent, and even $50 million happen from time to time.

But for those of us with, well, more realistic budgets, what’s available? And what about at the lowest end of the market, which many would regard as bargains?

We’ve rounded up nine properties for sale for less than $100,000 around Australia. Sure, there will likely be some trade-offs: perhaps a large-scale renovation is needed or moving to a town far, far away, but some would argue owning something is better than nothing. Though it’s important to remember that many lenders prefer a 20 per cent deposit – and 20 per cent of $100,000 is $20,000. Not an insignificant amount of money.

$49,500

SOLD - $51,000

61 Pemble Street, Katanning WA 6317

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The listing sums this up best: “Not in the best shape but plenty of potential.”

Katanning, population 3700, is about 280 kilometres south-east of Perth, or about a three-and-a-half-hour drive (and maybe add a half hour for lunch somewhere, or a look-see). On an enormous block, this renovation project could be someone’s dream and certainly offers scope to let your imagination run wild.

$62,000

$62,000

158 Waradgery, Hay NSW 2711

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Hay, NSW, is closer to Melbourne than the state capital Sydney, so if you’d rather align with AFL than NRL but not move to Victoria, this could be the town for you. This three-bedroom house, “ideal for the renovator”, according to the agent, comes with side and rear lane access and is just three blocks from the Cobb Highway and also within cooee of the Murrumbidgee River.

$79,000 negotiable

SOLD - $74,000

12 Wilmington Street, Ayr QLD 4807

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Appealing more to investors, this Ayr property already has a long-term tenant, so rental returns are guaranteed, the listing suggests. Ayr is in Queensland’s Burdekin Shire, and the closest major centre is Townsville, which is about 90 kilometres north. If you have a little extra cash to play with, you might like to consider buying the house next door: for sale with the same agent for $89,000.

$80,000

SOLD - Price Withheld

117 WALKER STREET, Mungindi NSW 2406

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This house comes with its own party trick: it’s in a town that’s half in NSW and half in Queensland. And when the party’s done, you’ve got two bedrooms and two sleepouts to accommodate your guests. Mungindi is just over 500 kilometres south-west of Brisbane and nearly 750 kilometres north-west of Sydney, so your city guests might be using that extra space for a while. Moree is the closest major centre,  a casual two-hour drive away.

$85,000

SOLD - $75,000

214 Dubbo Street, Warren NSW 2824

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This two-bedroom home billed as an ideal purchase for a first-home buyer is just a short stroll from the Macquarie River. It’s in the NSW town of Warren – about 120 kilometres north-west of Dubbo and about 600 kilometres in the same direction from Sydney. Also being pitched at investors, the property comes complete with a double shed – room enough for the town car and the four-wheel-drive.

$92,000

$92,000

2 Ellen Street, Peterborough SA 5422

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In South Australia’s mid-north is the town of Peterborough, population 1419 at the most recent census.  About 220 kilometres north of Adelaide, the closest major centre is Port Augusta, which is about 130 kilometres north-west. This circa 1880 stone cottage has three bedrooms, a large yard, and even a chicken run for all those poultry enthusiasts with egg-citing dreams.

$97,000

SOLD - Price Withheld

Lot 21 Bryant Street, Coober Pedy SA 5723

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For something totally different, how about this one-bedroom underground dugout in opal mining town Coober Pedy? A complete home, it includes a separate kitchen and a lounge room with a water feature. Coober Pedy is marginally closer to Alice Springs than to state capital Adelaide and isn’t for the faint-hearted.

$99,000

SOLD - $96,000

29 Deakin Street, Beulah VIC 3395

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The red-brick charm lasts, and as the agent says, this one dates back to one when homes were built to last. It’ll stretch you down to the last $1000 of your $100,000 budget, but that could go some way to some minor cosmetic enhancements. Victorian Mallee town Beulah is about 400 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. While the population may be small, websites dedicated to chronicling small Australian towns regard it as a place well worth the visit.

$100,000

SOLD - $98,000

309/1 Batchelor St, Queenstown TAS 7467

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Once upon a time, a list like this would be full of properties from Tasmania, but over the past five years, the demand for the Tassie lifestyle from mainlanders has been so intense it’s pushed prices up across the state. This two-bedroom apartment is being marketed to investors, with a strong 8.32% gross rental yield thanks to a nearby mining operation’s long-term lease. Queenstown, on Tasmania’s rugged western side, is about 260 kilometres from Hobart.