'Surplus' properties snapped up

This Farm Rd property, near Waipukurau, was one of six properties sold by Central Hawke's Bay District Council. Photo / Supplied

While the Hawke's Bay real estate market is in the doldrums, six surplus-to-requirement properties offered by Central Hawke's Bay District Council have been snapped up, with interest as far afield as Australia and China.

The successfully tendered properties achieved prices 38 per cent more than independent valuations, project manager Pat Turley said.

The level of enquiry was "outstanding and a little bit surprising, given the uniqueness of the properties".

Properties varied from a bare residential section in Takapau, retired gravel pits to redundant holding paddocks.

"These blocks were by no means top-of-the-range lifestyle properties but each one had its own unique and appealing features," realtor Max Lyver of PGG Wrightson said.

The properties featured on three different websites and recorded 11,000 viewsd.

"People saw a real opportunity to buy a small block of land in the country at an affordable price."

All were sold by tender except 36 Walter St in Takapau, sold by private treaty to a New Zealander returning from Australia.

"A couple of building and design companies, although unsuccessful, saw the portfolio as an opportunity to buy one or two of the sections to provide house and land packages for entry level homes or for their own holiday use." Council chief executive John Freeman said it was pleased with the outcome and that everybody in the district was given an opportunity to bid for the properties.