Meet Kurt Aaron, the self-described ‘gay bogan’ blogger promoting country life — and agents say there’s never been a better time to buy with prices dropping as much as $1m.
34-year-old Kurt’s Instagram @kurtaaron88 is full of incredible scenery, canola fields and insightful observations gleaned from his adventures with his “best mate”, his two-year-old Great Dane-Mastiff cross, Ollie.
“We love losing ourselves in the bush and finding our way out,” says Kurt, a real-life Ennis Del Mar, the character played by the late Heath Ledger in the iconic film Brokeback Mountain.
Growing up in the Southern Highlands, Kurt’s currently between properties having moved on from a hobby farm near Goulburn where he had sheep, chooks, veggies and a range of fruit trees.
Whereas most gays gravitate towards the bright lights of the city, Kurt craves fresh country air, wide open spaces, steams and waterholes, plant life and all animals including water rats and lizards.
The disability services business owner, trained chef, masseur and landscaper is saving up for his “dream farm”, in the Highlands or Southern Tablelands, within cooee of his nephews and nieces.
“It would be completely self-sufficient, with a creek, north and west-facing hills ... about 100 acres with small mountainous ridges to go exploring, a cave system and sufficient moisture to run cows and sheep,” Kurt says.
Agents in both regions say the cooling property market means it’s a great time for buyers to pounce on a bargain.
One home with a $714,000 price tag that has some of the features on Kurt’s wish list is historic Templeton House, which is close by the Southern Tablelands town of Gunning, 30 minutes from Canberra, Yass and Goulburn.
Built in the 1890s, the five-bedroom residence at 34 Collector Rd, once the local maternity hospital, has a creek at the rear of the 4,878sqm block.
It passed in at auction just before Christmas, but Ian Blackburn of McCann Property says Sydney buyers are coming to inspect on Wednesday.
“This is a growth spot — the numbers at the local school have doubled in 10 years,” Blackburn says.
Even closer to Kurt’s wish list is Woodlands at 442 Covan Creek Rd, Lake Bathurst near Goulburn. That’s had a $1m price drop.
It’s BYO four-wheel drive at the 671 ha property, which features a small river crossing at its entrance leading to a 1940s cottage that’s surrounded by bush, with riding and walking tracks, wild deer, kangaroos, wallabies and even koalas.
There’s both a pine forest and a pristine eucalyptus forest along with two large dams and six smaller dams where you can set up camp and fish for silver perches.
When it hit the market last October there were hopes of about $3m. But now the owners may settle for $2m.
“Interest rate rises have really knocked the market around,” says Jan Ladmore of All Real Esate NSW.
“We had one offer of $2.5m, but the buyers couldn’t get finance — they had pre-approval, but then there was an interest rate rise, and then another!”
Meanwhile, a 56 ha — 138 acre — property at 1800 Canyonleigh Rd, Canyonleigh in the Southern Highlands, in the region where Kurt grew up, has a $2m to $2.25m guide but Alex Watanabe of The Agency says given its been on the market for 40 days the vendors are open to offers.
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It’s being pitched as a “fabulous opportunity to build your dream home” and a “peaceful sanctuary ideal for the buyer looking to escape city life”, with new perimeter fences to the north, west and south boundary.
Most of the property is cleared land, though 38 acres is fenced and serves as habitat for native fauna and flora.
There are many varieties of gum trees, native wildflowers and orchids.
The property offers fresh country air, incredible views and privacy, with easy access to larger Southern Highland towns such as Sutton Forest, Moss Vale and Bowral.
Not too far away from here, in Kangaroo Valley, a stunning two-bedroom residence with views to the north at 622 Mount Scanzi Rd Kangaroo Valley has been on the market for four months with a $1.7m to $1.8m price guide.
Up for sale via Jacqui Crapp of Raine and Horne Berry, these owners could also be open to offers at this point.
The centrepiece of the home is a large rear deck, bathed in sun and perfect for entertaining or a relaxing afternoon watching the sun set across the escarpment.
Access to the property is via a well-maintained dirt road, a seven-minute drive to Kangaroo Valley Village including shops, school, public transport and cafes.
Kangaroo Valley offers a relaxing lifestyle — perfect for those looking to escape the rat race.
MORE: https://www.instagram.com/kurtaaron88/?hl=en
Originally published as Kurt Aaron, blogger promoting country life as dream homes drop in price by up to $1m
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