Who knew that a pile of rubble could be such a hot property? A derelict West Wales bungalow – if you can call four tottering walls and a chimney a “bungalow” – went under the hammer for just £1 but after a fierce bidding war it was snapped up for £6,500.
The ‘fixer-upper’ (and by that, we mean ‘needs an actual house built on top of it’) is in the picturesque Upper Dulais valley, a location so stunning that buyers apparently didn’t mind the small detail that the property barely existed.
Paul Fosh Auctions hosted the online sale, and despite the listing looking more like an archaeological dig than a dream home, five enthusiastic bidders placed a total of 28 offers before the hammer finally dropped.
GIMMICK
Sean Roper from Paul Fosh Auctions admits the £1 starting price was a bit of a gimmick but says it certainly worked.
He adds: “The bungalow, even from the photographs provided, clearly shows it is in a sorry state of repair. It consists of just the remains of walls, a chimney stack, and overgrown gardens – offering just a hint of how it may have looked.”
Still, the new owner is now the proud custodian of 572sqm of Welsh wilderness, with a ‘blank canvas’ to work with – provided they have planning permission, an iron will, and possibly a wizard.
Located in the village of Dyfryn Cellwen, the plot isn’t just a history lesson in slow decay; it also offers excellent transport links, being near the A4109, Neath, Swansea and the M4.
If nothing else, it’s in a prime spot for a scenic picnic while the new owner figures out where to start rebuilding.
