Homebuyers beware: The shocking discovery inside this WA house for sale could cost you thousands
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If you thought the property market couldn’t get any more outrageous, think again. In a jaw-dropping sign of just how dire the housing crisis has become in Western Australia, a house in Armadale—complete with a dead mouse squashed into the carpet, syringes on the bathroom sink, and a backyard that could double as a rubbish tip—was snapped up within half an hour of its first open inspection. Yes, you read that right: a genuine fixer-upper (to put it mildly) sold for a whopping $480,000, and not a single bit of cleaning was done beforehand.
Let’s set the scene: Armadale, about 40 minutes east of Perth, was once known for its affordable homes and family-friendly streets. But as the housing crisis deepens, even the most rundown properties are being fought over by desperate buyers. The three-bedroom house at 12 Campbell Road wasn’t just a 'worst house on the best street' scenario—it was more like 'worst house on a street full of contenders.' Graffiti covered the fences, the front verge looked more like a used car lot, and the neighbours didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat.
But in a market where supply is at record lows, none of that seemed to matter. The property’s agent, Andrew Byl, admitted he hadn’t even noticed the dead mouse or the syringes left in the bathroom. 'I didn’t look that far,' he laughed, suggesting it added to the home’s 'character.' And character it had—if you count a backyard pool hidden under a mountain of rubbish, doors held shut with knotted electrical cables, and more dead animals than working lightbulbs.
Despite these hazards, more than 30 groups of buyers poured through the property, carefully sidestepping the junk and biohazards. The phone hadn’t stopped ringing since the house hit the market, and Byl was confident it would sell within the hour. He was right. The house was snapped up almost immediately, a testament to just how frenzied the market has become.
A few years ago, this same house would have struggled to fetch $300,000. Now, Byl claims that with a bit of elbow grease (and a lot of disinfectant), it could easily be worth $600,000. It’s a staggering reflection of how much things have changed—and not for the better.
Why Are Buyers So Desperate?
The answer lies in the numbers. Perth’s median house price has soared to over $700,000, and outer suburbs like Armadale, once havens for first-home buyers, are now out of reach for many. The Real Estate Institute of WA recently reported that housing stock is at a record low, with fewer than 4,000 properties listed for sale—a 40% drop from the five-year average. Nationally, the picture is just as bleak: CoreLogic data shows house prices in capital cities have jumped more than 35% since the pandemic, while wages have barely budged.
For young Australians and first-home buyers, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Saving for years, only to find that your hard-earned deposit will barely get you a house with rotting carpet and biohazards, is enough to make anyone question the so-called 'Great Australian Dream.'
What’s Driving the Crisis?
There are several factors at play. Population growth, a lack of new housing construction, and investors snapping up properties have all contributed to the squeeze. Meanwhile, rental prices are also skyrocketing, leaving many with no choice but to compete for whatever homes are available—no matter the condition.
The Risks of Buying a ‘Fixer-Upper’
While some buyers see potential in these rundown homes, it’s important to go in with your eyes wide open. Hidden hazards like mould, structural damage, and even leftover drug paraphernalia can cost thousands to fix—and that’s before you even start thinking about renovations. If you’re considering buying a property in this condition, make sure you get a thorough building and pest inspection, and factor in the cost of repairs when making your offer.
Is There Any Hope for Buyers?
It’s not all doom and gloom. Some experts believe that as interest rates rise and the market cools, prices may stabilise or even drop in some areas. In the meantime, governments at both state and federal levels are under increasing pressure to address the housing shortage, with calls for more social and affordable housing, incentives for first-home buyers, and reforms to planning laws.
Credit: Instagram
We want to hear from you! Have you come across any shocking properties while house hunting? Do you think the market will ever return to 'normal'? Or are you one of the lucky ones who managed to buy before things got out of hand? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started!
And if you’re curious (or just morbidly fascinated), you can check out a full-length video tour of the Armadale house on YouTube at brookomoves. Just don’t watch it while eating your lunch!
Read more: The worst hoarder homes in Australia: Would you dare buy one?
Let’s set the scene: Armadale, about 40 minutes east of Perth, was once known for its affordable homes and family-friendly streets. But as the housing crisis deepens, even the most rundown properties are being fought over by desperate buyers. The three-bedroom house at 12 Campbell Road wasn’t just a 'worst house on the best street' scenario—it was more like 'worst house on a street full of contenders.' Graffiti covered the fences, the front verge looked more like a used car lot, and the neighbours didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat.
But in a market where supply is at record lows, none of that seemed to matter. The property’s agent, Andrew Byl, admitted he hadn’t even noticed the dead mouse or the syringes left in the bathroom. 'I didn’t look that far,' he laughed, suggesting it added to the home’s 'character.' And character it had—if you count a backyard pool hidden under a mountain of rubbish, doors held shut with knotted electrical cables, and more dead animals than working lightbulbs.
A rundown house in WA, left filthy with no clean-up, was sold for $480,000 within 30 minutes of its only viewing. Credit: @brookmoves / Instagram
Despite these hazards, more than 30 groups of buyers poured through the property, carefully sidestepping the junk and biohazards. The phone hadn’t stopped ringing since the house hit the market, and Byl was confident it would sell within the hour. He was right. The house was snapped up almost immediately, a testament to just how frenzied the market has become.
A few years ago, this same house would have struggled to fetch $300,000. Now, Byl claims that with a bit of elbow grease (and a lot of disinfectant), it could easily be worth $600,000. It’s a staggering reflection of how much things have changed—and not for the better.
Why Are Buyers So Desperate?
The answer lies in the numbers. Perth’s median house price has soared to over $700,000, and outer suburbs like Armadale, once havens for first-home buyers, are now out of reach for many. The Real Estate Institute of WA recently reported that housing stock is at a record low, with fewer than 4,000 properties listed for sale—a 40% drop from the five-year average. Nationally, the picture is just as bleak: CoreLogic data shows house prices in capital cities have jumped more than 35% since the pandemic, while wages have barely budged.
For young Australians and first-home buyers, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Saving for years, only to find that your hard-earned deposit will barely get you a house with rotting carpet and biohazards, is enough to make anyone question the so-called 'Great Australian Dream.'
What’s Driving the Crisis?
There are several factors at play. Population growth, a lack of new housing construction, and investors snapping up properties have all contributed to the squeeze. Meanwhile, rental prices are also skyrocketing, leaving many with no choice but to compete for whatever homes are available—no matter the condition.
The Risks of Buying a ‘Fixer-Upper’
While some buyers see potential in these rundown homes, it’s important to go in with your eyes wide open. Hidden hazards like mould, structural damage, and even leftover drug paraphernalia can cost thousands to fix—and that’s before you even start thinking about renovations. If you’re considering buying a property in this condition, make sure you get a thorough building and pest inspection, and factor in the cost of repairs when making your offer.
It’s not all doom and gloom. Some experts believe that as interest rates rise and the market cools, prices may stabilise or even drop in some areas. In the meantime, governments at both state and federal levels are under increasing pressure to address the housing shortage, with calls for more social and affordable housing, incentives for first-home buyers, and reforms to planning laws.
Credit: Instagram
And if you’re curious (or just morbidly fascinated), you can check out a full-length video tour of the Armadale house on YouTube at brookomoves. Just don’t watch it while eating your lunch!
Read more: The worst hoarder homes in Australia: Would you dare buy one?
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