Man, 63, buys first home for a song

THEY say your house is your castle and for first-home property buyer Rodney Marshall that sentiment rings true.

Danielle Meyer with first home byer Rodney Marshall in Mundubbera. Picture: Philippe Coquerand

THEY say your house is your castle and for first-home property buyer Rodney Marshall that sentiment rings true.

At the age of 63, the Mundubbera man turned a dream into reality when he bought a nice house on Hardy St, with views overlooking the Burnett.

Mr Marshall said it was a chance encounter that led him to make his purchase.

"I'm getting ready for the pension shortly, I was going to retire down the Coast and go crabbing but this house came up and I decided it was a good purchase," he said.

First home buyer Rodney Marshall at his Mundubbera home. Picture: Philippe Coquerand

Already having a plan in mind, Mr Marshall is working to get a veranda installed.

"I'm getting a couple of quotes for the veranda and hopefully it'll be up and running soon," he said.

"It all depends on how much it costs but I have a few friends who are willing to make it happen."

Mr Marshall said he was proud to have accomplished something.

It wasn't just about owning a house, it was to "own something that belonged to him".

"I only owe $50,000 on it and with all my super I'll pay that out," Mr Marshall said.

The house has three bedrooms, a laundry, toilet, kitchen, dining room and a huge backyard.

It's situated opposite the Bicentennial Park, approximately two minutes from town.

It was only just recently, when Mr Marshall purchased the property, that he suffered a heart attack.

"I had six weeks off work and I've had two stents put in," he said.

Rodney Marshall with the keys to his new property in Mundubbera. Picture: Philippe Coquerand

"I'm going well now but I've got to take it easy."

Mr Marshall hopes that with his 1.2-hectare property he'll be able to get some animals.

"Everything only just got finalised on Friday, I'll put in a couple of sheep," he said.

"I'm going to have some birds, chook pen out the back, a few goats with a couple of weaners."

Recently it was announced by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland that North Burnett homes were the most affordable in the state.

The region recorded a median sale price of $132,500 for properties under 2400 sqm.

Mr Marshall has been living on and off in the North Burnett since he was six years old and says it's a great place to live.

"I've bought the house. If I choose to live elsewhere down the track I can always rent it out," he said.

Mr Marshall purchased the property for $149,000.

Originally published as Man, 63, buys first home for a song