Aussie listing fails reveal that first impressions don’t always come first
From toilets in the kitchen to oddly positioned portraits of Alice Cooper, when it comes to listing property first impressions don’t always come first. See some of the wackiest listing photos.
From toilets in the kitchen to oddly positioned portraits of Alice Cooper, when it comes to listing property, first impressions don’t always come first.
We found some of the funniest, freakiest and downright funkiest property listing photos around Australia, from those currently on the market to those that made us laugh out loud or scratch our heads in the past.
Money.com.au’s property expert Mansour Soltani said unusual listings photos often reflected a story of urgency, lack of space, or neglect — or sometimes a mix of all three.
“Many of these quirky or unusual property photos could be the result of deceased estates, fire sales, or foreclosed homes, where the focus is often on a quick sale rather than presentation,” he said. “These situations can lead to some truly unique listings that stand out for all the wrong reasons.”
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Aussie real estate agent Sarah Cooper has seen some pretty out there property listings.
“I had a colleague selling a home where the owner had a nice collection of photos in a collage on the wall,” she said.
“What the agent hadn’t realised was that among the happy snaps was her partner’s package.
“There was also an open house where the owner had a front study full of mounted deer heads and photos of hunting trips.
“Most buyers felt quite uneasy at the sight. I also had a house that was painted Barbie pink.”
Ms Cooper often shares property photo fails on her business Facebook page for a bit of a laugh, but warned they also acted as an important reminder for homeowners.
“It’s crucial to ensure your home is properly prepared for photos and inspections,” she said.
“Potential buyers are short-listing properties online and deciding which ones are worth their limited inspection time.
“If your home has dishes in the sink, an unkempt lawn, or clothes scattered on the floor in the listing photos, buyers may make negative assumptions about your property, which could deter them from viewing it.”
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Magill
A five bedroom residence on a 2618sq m block sold for $1.19 million in 2020.
Everything about the property screams charm and character until you get to the living room with a fireplace --- and a rather in-your-face portrait of Poison frontman Alice Cooper.
Coober Pedy
No walls? No worries. Listed for $42,000, this “house” apparently has two bedrooms and one bathroom and sits on a 1128sq m block.
“Internally the walls, fixtures and fittings have been vandalised,” the listing says. “Cosmetically it would need a new fit-out internally, floor to ceiling.”
Yeh, that’s an understatement.
Ceduna
Not really sure what is going on here but there is one room that feels a bit like a dungeon, and it is not immediately obvious what room that is. The house itself looks in decent shape but that room brings a certain vibe.
NSW
Darlinghurst
This one sold way back in 2016 but the kitchen toilet has to make the WTF? list.
Described as “amazingly compact”, one can only hope that no one is, well, compacted.
The pint-sized layout includes a fold-out bed, kitchenette, bathroom and living area, all quaintly tucked into 14sq m.
Broken Hill
It is all business at the front and storage room, or “hoarder’s paradise”, according to Money.com.au, in this home, listed for just $185,000.
Dungog
Going under the hammer on December 12 is this two-bedroom cabin in the Barrington Tops National Parks. You can just feel nature seeping into your cells until you see the bathroom, complete with oh-so-relaxing black plumbers pipes.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Fannie Bay
This two-bedroom unit recently sold for $275,000, and while all looks right from the front, there is one room where the painters appear to have run out of in-your-face purple paint. We won’t even talk about the other dopamine colours used throughout the property.
Eva Valley
Only in Australia does a property come to market complete with 11 pet crocodiles and a whole bunch of other free-ranging murder logs in the creek.
Listed in 2023, it is still for sale by the owners for $650,000.
Katherine South
The house itself has a lot to answer for but the true vom emoji crown goes to the backyard plunge pool, where we can’t guarantee that a killer lizard isn’t hiding in wait. Described as a “renovator’s delight” it has three bedrooms, one bathroom and sits on a 807sq m block. It is listed for $260,000.
Queensland
Wynnum
The ensuite in this renovated house went viral after a picture of the master bedroom with an ensuite without walls went viral in 2019. But could you go take a dip in the tub or go to the loo in full view of your loved one? And yes before the reno, there were walls and doors.
Gold Coast
A ‘house’ on the Gold Coast was listed for sale for just $19,500 in 2023 and was described as ‘a realm of untapped potential and endless opportunities’.
It was a caravan. In Carrara.
But it was the listing description that got international attention.
“This one-bedroom retreat is waiting with bated breath for your arrival,” the listing said at the time, and yes, it sold.
“As you step inside, you’ll be embraced by a spacious lounge, perfect for relaxation and creating cherished moments with your loved ones.”
The adjoining dining area was “seamlessly connected” to the kitchen which “beckons you to embark on delightful culinary adventures”.
“This thoughtfully-designed home is tailor-made for those seeking a downsized lifestyle,” it said, adding that this “ captivating home is vacant and ready for you to put your stamp on it”.
Everton Park
A house with wallpaper reminiscent of a retro Playboy magazine was listed for auction in 2019. It had custom-made wallpaper of naked ladies in its bathroom.
But the out-there quirks did not end there, with a giant carved eagle at the entrance of the home and an indoor squash court. It sold for $1,672,500.
Cairns
A unit in Cairns described as a “war zone bunker” went viral after the owner posted a brutally honest description of its location.
The two-bedroom unit was located on the top floor of a unit complex, with the listing labelling it “strategic high ground”. There was also a “huge balcony with a commanding view over (the) battlefield, and “free performances (residents screaming and fighting)”.
Other perks include “territorial marking in stairwell (urine)” and “artworks in (the) carpark (graffiti)”.
“If you are an investor you get 700 a year depreciation,” the listing said, before being reworded and later sold. “You wouldn’t want to live there yourself but the return on investment is good. Who knows what the future holds – perhaps a foreign power will take over this god forsaken place and enforce some rule of law over ALL inhabitants.”
VICTORIA
Cowangie
It is kind of hard to know where to start with this three-bedder on a 2421sq m block but let’s cut to the chase. The barrels of hazardous materials in one of the sheds is a bit of a worry.
But it is “perfectly liveable in its current state” according to the listing, despite the rather frightening state of the kitchen which comes with a fire blanket. It is listed for offers between $50,000 and $55,000.
Kerang
It is hard to know if it is a bath or a place for cage fighting. Listed for $170,000, the listing gives nothing away with the two-bedroom, two-bathriim home currently rented.
Numurkah
Quite literally dubbed “The Batchelor (sic) Pad”, this three bedroom house is under offer after being priced to sell at $179,500. Obviously the buyer overlooked the dirt bike in the bedroom and what appears to be CSI on the TV.
TASMANIA
Reynolds Neck
This two bedroom “shack” on 6685sq m is completely off-grid – so off-grid in fact there appears to be some sort of makeshift camp shower with a pulley system in the bathroom.
The listing simply says “practical bathroom with shower over tub”.
Queenstown
On the market for $165,000 is this three bedroom house on a 645sq m block. It is clear from the front that this one needs work, but someone gave it a red-hot go by the looks of it.
But it would seem they could not settle on which shade of purple, pink or brown, judging by the colour palette in the main living area. Oh, and don’t mind the holes in the walls.
Pioneer
We don’t often see outdoor thunderboxes anymore so we had to pop this one in because, well, it is Tasmania. So kudos to the current owner who has the brass balls to waddle out for a slash in the middle of the night in the snow. It is listed for offers between $200,000 and 220,000.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Morawa
Under offer and uninhabitable. The first photo says it all “enter at your own risk”.
Listing pictures show a screenshot of a letter from council, warning that an inspection of the derelict state of the property had found evidence of everything from exposed asbestos to rusted and broken gutters. But even this calamity has sold in the crazy market.
Oh and the roof has collapsed.
Originally published as Aussie listing fails reveal that first impressions don’t always come first
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