Finding the One: bushblock inception

I had settled into a new part-time job, my freelance work was steady – I was quite content. On a trip to my parents’ farm, close to where I grew up, I conceived the idea to buy a small block of land to invest in. It just seemed to make sense. I had no desire to buy a suburban house, but I was keen to look after a patch of earth. My small business afforded to me the freedom to work and live anywhere. As a diligent squirrel, I had already saved enough for a deposit, and an optimistic online mortgage calculator gave me a budget around $250k. After I surveyed the familiar territory of the Great Southern, my parents convinced me to look further afield and closer to Perth.

My key criteria were simple: within budget, close to the coast, more than 5 acres, with a degree of ‘character’. It threw up a range of properties all differing in size, scope and isolation from Nannup to Toodyay.

I visited a curious property in Tutunup on the edge of the scarp, surrounded by State Forest. At its centre, nestled beneath a grove of trees, was a stone cabin, and my heart started to beat a little faster. I began to dream about a more immediate change of location and lifestyle, and this idea evolved into much more than a financial investment. I felt like I was on the right track but I wasn’t in a hurry and this property was not without its failings. I researched more and widened my search a little further out of curiosity. Beyond my budget up at $400k, one larger property even had a house. I made a note of the relevant listings for future reference.

My current employer offered me a salaried full-time position. I wasn’t inclined to give up my freedoms and freelancing, but I knew this could be the perfect opportunity for me to get closer to my dream of buying a block. I visited my bank and sat down with a mortgage broker. I was advised that it is much easier to get a loan for a ‘house & land’ rather than just land. I learned about interest rates and variable vs fixed loans. They both encouraged me, so I took the job and honed my search criteria… I was officially a house-hunter.

Things were a bit extreme. I was working full-time, still freelancing on the side, and my Dad was in the hospital. Mum suggested we distract Dad from his woes with a daytrip south to view some properties on my shortlist. We revisited Tutunup and rejected it immediately upon seeing more signs of neglect and degradation. There was one property that fit my criteria on paper, but it wasn’t available to view. The listing photos weren’t appealing but the infrastructure (solar, water, mains electricity) made up for the aesthetics. So we drove past, and we liked the atmosphere and location. Mum and I warmed up to the idea of a quirky ‘conservation block’. Dad was unimpressed and assured me I could do better.

I didn’t know the area well, so I encouraged Dad to call some of his contacts to ‘find me something better’. He called me back a day later and told me in no uncertain terms to buy the ‘bush block’. Once my Dad is on board with a plan, things tend to speed up. I organised a formal viewing with the agent and my parents, the listing price dropped by $10k… the stars aligned.