- A two-bedroom bach in Fortrose, Southland, with an RV of $100,000, is up for auction.
- The 1012sqm property, owned by Simon Van Lieshout’s family, includes a tiny house used for holidays.
- Bayleys agent Vanessa Harvey says the property’s value exceeds the RV due to its location and features.
A two-bedroom crib on the Catlins coastline is heading to auction later this month with an RV of just $100,000.
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The 42sqm bach at 60 Neva Street, in Fortrose, Southland, was built in 2021 but the vendors, a family from Gore, have owned the land for over a decade.
Simon Van Lieshout told OneRoof that his whānau have enjoyed their holidays in Fortrose, fishing, surfing, and even getting to know the local seals. However, the property was proving too small for them, so they have decided to sell.
“We own the neighbouring property as well, and we bought this section, I think, 10 years ago for a bit of parking. We have a lot of friends [and family] with caravans,” he said.
The stylish bach was built in 2021 to accommodate the vendors' children and grandchildren. Photo / Supplied
“Then, four years ago, we decided we would put a tiny house on the section, for the kids and the grandchildren. We also rent it out as holiday accommodation."
Van Lieshout, who owns Advantage Tyre & Battery Shop in Gore, said the Catlins housing market was “quite buoyant” right now, and that he planned to use the proceeds from the sale in other projects. “There are some other things that we want to invest in,” he said.
The family has had many adventures at Fortrose over the years, and that isn’t going to stop any time soon.
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One striking memory from his time at Fortrose was when he built a staircase from the home down to the water, which brought in a squatter, AKA a seal, which used the staircase to set up home on the back lawn. “So we ended up having to put a gate in, because the kids wouldn’t go outside if the seals were on the back lawn.”
Van Lieshout loves the Fortrose fishing, especially the blue cod he catches. “And you can get flounder and whitebait right at the doorstep.”
Bayleys listing agent Vanessa Harvey, who is marketing the property with colleague Julie Mitchell, told OneRoof that although the RV was $100,000, the property was worth more.
“There has been bare land sold, same size section just along the road, for $115,000,” she said. “This one has the added bonus of the tiny house sitting on it.”
The 1012sqm property is mere metres from the beach and the water. Photo / Supplied
What’s more, because the tiny home was technically a caravan and could be removed, it wasn’t included in the RV. “Technically, they are caravans, but they are selling them with the land. It would be one sale with the tiny house included, and they can be removed.”
Harvey said Fortrose buyers typically came from Invercargill, which is a 30-minute drive away, or Gore, which is a 40-minute drive away. Only a handful of properties in the town came up each year for sale.
“It’s one of the most affordable spots in the country right on the beachfront,” she said. “That attracts people.”
Harvey, herself, spends every Christmas at Fortrose, with the Van Lieshouts and another uncle and aunt. “We do fishing, boating, and there are lots of walks. Cathedral Caves and McLean Falls are popular spots. There’s also a golf course at Fort Rose. My uncle goes fishing over the bar.”
She added: “It’s one of the most magical places in New Zealand. There are dolphins at Curio Bay, and you can swim with them. There’s a good holiday park with a restaurant. People have fond memories there from childhood.”
- 60 Neva Street, in Fortrose, Southland, goes to auction on December 19
