Thousands of people from around the world have made inquiries about the land-and-house deal. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
Thousands of people from around the world have made inquiries about the land-and-house deal. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
Kaitangata, the small NZ town with big international interest, has been forced to halt its cheap property offers.
The township gained global fame after offering $230,000 property deals. However, sales of the sections have been put on hold until there is a formal application process, contract and central contact point in place.
Those behind the offer gathered at a special meeting in Balclutha yesterday to establish clear boundaries and criteria for buyers, following the international attention the offer has received online and in mainstream media.
Thousands of people from around the world have made inquiries about the package since details were aired a week ago.
Five of the eight packages available at present have been sold. The sellers report eight to nine serious offers for every section and a long waiting list.
Until a formal process for applying and signing up to the sites is established, however, no more sections on the market will be sold.
Another 10 sections that are "ready to go'' will also be held back until then.
A plan was formulated at yesterday's meeting of the groups behind the promotion, Clutha Development, Downie Stewart Lawyers, Big River Homes, Hoamz Realty and the Kaitangata Promotion Group.
Rules would be set including that successful buyers would need to declare their intention for the land, speculators would not be encouraged, and buyers would agree to build within two years.
Interested parties would have to fill in a formal application form, which was expected to be ready later this week.
Kaitangata Promotions public relations facilitator Evan Dick said the "thousands of messages'' prompted a need to make it clear exactly what was on offer and create a single avenue for inquiries, particularly from overseas.
The district's council, mayor, real estate agents and involved individuals had all been flooded with thousands of inquiries, making it impossible to respond with a single message.
After the meeting, the group's lawyer, Alice Sanders, said the group was working to make the application process more professional for potential buyers.
Housing sales consultant Margot Berney said she had received more than 9000 emails, about half of which could be taken seriously.Mr Dick said he was concerned some saw the offer as an investment opportunity, when the housing package was intended to encourage growth in the community.
Representatives of the groups behind the Kaitangata land-and-house package deal. Photo / Samuel White
He said, while the attention had helped put Kaitangata on the map, the group never intended to go global and ideally wanted those already living in New Zealand to come.
A lot of misinformation was being spread on the internet as more news agencies ran with the story, he said.
One United States news outlet falsely reported the Clutha District Council would pay people $US160,000 to move to the district.
The council was quick to reject the claim and said, while the international attention was exciting and positive, it was now overwhelmed with inquiries from around the world.
