Lost village listed for half the price of an Aussie house

By
Emily Power
June 21, 2024

A lost village is for sale with a price tag less than half of one typical house in Sydney.

The collection of relic houses in North Carolina is named Merry Oaks and was established in 1880.

The entire plot is for listed with hopes of $US475,000 (about $AU713,000) and the advert calls for “investors and historians” – a niche market, if there ever was.

Sydney’s median is nudging $1.6 million.

Merry Oaks for sale for $713,000 in New Hill, North Carolina. Photo: LPT Realty

For that sum, thee nostalgic buyer will acquire a boarding house, a post office and a general store.

These have “played host to weary travelers on horseback, artists and writers alike”, the listing explains.

“Set back at the end of a cul-de-sac surrounded by lush trees, the opportunities to transform this fascinating piece of history are endless.”

It has been on the market for 107 days in New Hill, Wake County.

The village was established is 1880 and is one for investors and history boffins. Photo: LPT Realty

The largest of the buildings is the butter-yellow, double-storey boarding house.

The post office is quaint timber cottage with a handpainted “Merry Oaks” sign, accompanied by an arrow showing the way.

Some parts of the boarding house – and another property on the block – have had some gentle improvements over the years. Although still decades old, the kitchen has a few mod cons and basic cabinetry.

The buyer has a chance to revive the town. Photo: LPT Realty

Another property shows fresh lining on the walls, and some cosmetic renovation which looks partially completed.

Other rooms are sparsely dressed with historic furniture, speaking to a period long ago in America’s south.

New Hill now draws families who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, with the local Jordan Lake recreational area recommended for fishing, boating and campaign. Employment opportunities exist through IMB and Lenovo head offices in town and there are several universities nearby.

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