Buyer for flood-gutted house just hours after first contract collapsed

A house that was flooded and then gutted after an unprecedented weather event has sold just hours after the first contract collapsed - proof that nothing can rain on a hot market parade.

Samantha Healy

2 min read

October 2, 2024 - 11:08AM

19 Christensen Street, Machans Beach, has been gutted

A house that was flooded and then gutted after an unprecedented weather event has sold just hours after the first contract collapsed - proving that nothing can cool down a hot market.

Located at 19 Christensen St in Machans Beach, a suburb in the Cairns Northern Beaches, the walls and floors have been stripped from the four bedroom house, which is just 175m from the Barron River and about 500m from the beach.

The pool has been cleaned and has brand new pumps

LJ Hooker Cairns Beaches agent James Gilbertson said the property was initially under contract while still in the “coming soon” phase, but that contract fell over.

“It fell through last Thursday so we put it on the market that night and by Friday we had a buyer up from Townsville,” he said.

“They signed the contract on Monday and we are just waiting for the building and pest report to come through so it should settle tomorrow (Thursday).”

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The new owner plans to fix it up and live in it

The property was listed for offers over $450,000, with the likely new owner planning to use their trades experience to restore the house and live in it.

On a 597sq m block, the property has a shed, Bali gazebo and a pool with new pumps.

There is also a carport and solar, while inside has been gutted.

“This 4-bedroom home is now just a shell of itself as a result of the flooding from Cyclone Jasper,” the listing says, marketing it as a “dream renovation alert”.

“This is the opportunity for you where dreams come true, where memories are made, and where every day feels like a vacation, once you complete the renovation.”

And it is not the first lightning sale of a flood-affected property in the tropical tourist town.

While the rule is “if it’s flooded, forget it”, when it comes to property, for some buyers it is a case of “if it flooded, just get it”.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper was a category two storm when it crossed the coast near Wujal Wujal on December 13 last year, before quickly weakening below cyclone strength.

Cyclone Jasper track map. BOM

But there was a sting in its tail, with the system then stalling as a tropical low over Far North Queensland.

A surface trough also developed and a relentless train of rain fell over the region, resulting in widespread record flooding.

The Northern Beaches of Cairns were among the worst-hit areas, with Machans Beach residents forced to evacuate with the help of rescuers in tinnies.

Aerial of Machans Beach roundabout which was closed due to flood waters.

But the devastation from the unprecedented floods has done little to deter buyers, with a number of damaged properties selling in just hours or days.

In January, one month after the flood, a Machans Beach house with a floodwater mark estimated to be about 800mm high sold after attracting five offers from locals and interstate buyers.

Property records show it sold for $328,000, with Marsh Property Cairns agent Chris Marsh saying it changed hands based on land value expectations.