Want a character country house for a few thousand dollars? Sign up to this auction

Looking for the ultimate fixer-upper bargain? Flood-affected houses in the NSW town of Lismore, near Byron Bay, are being sold by the government for relocation, and they're going to auction with no reserve.

The release is part of a rolling buyback scheme to relocate and reuse flood-affected homes purchased through the Resilient Homes Program, which aims to remove unsafe homes from the floodplain and help create more affordable housing in the region.

"There is no reserve price on any of these relocatable homes," said the NSW Relocation Authority website.

"That means potentially anyone could purchase a buyback home for one dollar if there are no other bidders."

Buyers also need to be aware that what they are buying is the house only, with the land not included.

They also need to be prepared to come to the auction, which is being held at Lismore Heights Sports Club with a deposit of 50 per cent of the purchase price up to $1000, payable on the night on July 8.

Nearly 20 houses have already been sold at auction the past week via PRD Northern Rivers, with a further 10 homes set for auction on July 8 through First National Wal Murray & Co.

At the recent auctions, the cheapest buy reported was a home in Kyogle that sold for a mere $347, along with two in Lismore for $2,300 and $2,500.

The most expensive sale went to a South Lismore weatherboard property that had been renovated since the 2022 floods and closed for $101,000.

That property was complete with a brand-new kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry, as well as a new bathroom.

The upcoming public auction on July 8 will offer 10 houses in a similar weatherboard style, such as 12 and 16 Simmons Street, North Lismore.

Both timber homes have pitched rooflines, three bedrooms, decorative 10-foot ceilings, polished timber floors, ornate timber features, and stained-glass windows.

First National Wal Murray & Co agent Cory Byrne has seen most of the relocatable homes sell between $6,000 and $100,000, and said it's a unique opportunity to grab a character house.

"They're nice homes...they're good for what they are. If people have got the blocks of land to move them on to, absolutely, it's a good opportunity."

A range of 30 homes in total will have been on offer in the buyback program, from charming old timber homes to those needing more work to bring them back to their former glory.

The houses have varying states of damage, which will obviously affect interest and price, but the program ensures that the beautiful character and heritage of these properties is preserved.

Many homes feature front verandas, high ceilings, and traditional features like picture rails, French doors and ornate ceilings.

"While we need to remove these homes from the floodplain and move people out of harm's way, we don't want the region to lose its character along the way," Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said.

"Many of these homes are made from timbers that are rare and very valuable.

"To have them picked up, moved to a new location, spruced up and have a new family move in is a fantastic result for the whole community."

While these prices will obviously attract first-home buyers, Mr Byrne said the program has been popular among existing landholders in the wider region.

"We've been seeing interest mostly from landholders around the area, people that might have farms or a vacant block, who can put a second dwelling on [their land] without trying to build new," Mr Byrne said.

For those worried about unforeseen financial surprises when fixing up the houses, Mr Byrne said that buyers will be given a full report of any property they're considering.

What you are buying

"All the homes come with a HAZMAT report that the RA has done, so anyone interested can contact us and get a copy of each of those for all the houses.

"The report tells you if there's any asbestos, mould or anything else - it's all disclosed."

Buyers should be aware there are extra fees to consider in the total purchase price.

The RA estimates the average cost of relocation to sit between $80,000 and $140,000.

However, buyers should also factor in design, approvals, compliance and site works.

If successful, you'll have up to 12 months to relocate the home from the RA's land, and properties can only be moved to sites that are outside of the Priority 1, 2 and 3 zones according to RA Flood Prioritisation Maps.

But if you're game to take on the challenge, this could be a rare opportunity to secure a character-filled home rich in stories and heritage for an incredibly low price.

Three of the best

Other finds from the 10 houses that are for auction on July 8 include the house at 177 Magellan Street, Lismore, which features a charming front verandah, high ceilings and tongue and groove internal walls.

This three- bedroom house, currently located at 120 Laurel Avenue, Lismore features high decorated celings throughout, timber windows and french doors.

A wide back verandah and polished timber floors throughout make this house situated currently at 25 Simmons Street, North Lismore a good buy.