Home sells for more than twice RV
Masterton’s old courthouse, which is located in Carterton, sold for $554,000 at auction. PHOTO/SUE TEODORO
SUE TEODORO
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A piece of Wairarapa history turned stunning tiny home has sold at auction for well over twice its RV [rateable value].
More than 60 people crowded into the front yard of the 1868 Courthouse in Carterton on Monday as multiple bidders went head-to-head in a hotly contested sale.
The historic property eventually went under the hammer for $554,000 after what auctioneer Brian Diamond described as “spirited bidding’.
It has a RV of $225,000.
“It was good, spirited bidding and a satisfactory result,” he said.
The often-tense process had both onsite buyers and several telephone bidders compete for the property.
It has been bought by a Carterton person who intends to live in the house and eventually develop the 1034m site.
Seller Catherine Cooper, who owned the property with her husband, was very pleased with the outcome.
“I’m really excited the person who bought it is someone who loves the house and wants to live in it as a home,” she said.
The couple intended to stay in Wairarapa.
“Our dream is to either create or move into a co-housing situation,” she said.
“We are really interested in alternative solutions to the housing crisis here.”
The former courthouse has been immaculately renovated and is now a beautifully presented one-bedroom tiny house of 46m2.
The property was marketed by Sylvia Wildermoth and Kylie Barron of LJ Hooker Carterton.
“We are very pleased with the outcome,” Wildermoth said.
“It was a good result, and it was nice it went to a local who is going to live in the property.
“It was a pleasure taking this property to the market.”
The result reflects the active Wairarapa property market, which has been characterised by low numbers of listings and increasing inquiries.
“Sales will continue to be strong while there is a supply and demand issue,” Wildermoth said.
The building was originally Masterton’s courthouse and was built 152 years ago.
When it was a courthouse, it was on the corner of Lincoln Rd [then Hall St] and Queen St.
It also housed the jail and post office.
It was moved from Masterton to Carterton in the 1990s.
