Classics out in force

Buyers seeking a heritage-listed home should take a look around now with a host of Queensland’s finest historic properties for sale.

Up to 10 properties listed on the Queensland Heritage Register are waiting for a new crop of owners to be part of the next chapter in their cherished history.

They range from colonial mansions and homesteads to old convents, churches or hospitals and even an entire block of apartments.

Prices range from cute period homes in the low $700,000 to the more elegant mansions for about $2 million.

Despite the price tag and building restrictions attached to these properties, they sell.

The fully restored colonial Georgian mansion, Booval House, at Ipswich, is on the market for $1.95 million with listing agent Linda Wessling of First National, Ipswich, fielding plenty of interest. “I’ve had a mix of people looking but really it has been those that are looking for something a bit different,” she said.

Queensland’s heritage buildings are monitored by the Queensland Heritage Council and Department of Environment and Resource Management Fiona Gardiner, the heritage director at DERM, says no approvals are needed for the sale or purchase of a heritage-listed property, but warned buyers to be aware of what development restrictions apply.

“There are restrictions on development to prevent damaging or destroying a place’s heritage values, but these are not intended to be onerous,” she said.

“Ideally, heritage places should be actively used and well maintained and changes should be kept to a minimum. Development that damages or destroys a place’s heritage value is not permitted, except in special circumstances where there is no prudent or feasible alternative,” Ms Gardiner said.

First National Real Estate Action Realty Ipswich

Source:  Sunday Mail Brisbane, 18 Mar 2012