Own Your Very Own Church, Or Convent, For Under $500,000
Sun Herald
Sunday June 4, 2006
A FORMER convent and a Baptist church are for sale in Lithgow, each for less than $500,000.
The two-storey convent, built in 1908 for the St Joseph nuns, was sold by the Catholic Church two decades ago to owners who are now selling because career opportunities require them to leave the area.The convent has a large entry foyer, original ornate plaster ceilings, seven original fireplaces, polished timber floors, separate living, dining and family rooms and a large bathroom.More contemporary are the insulation, ducted reverse-cycle air-conditioning and commercial kitchen, which would allow the property to be used as a restaurant or bed and breakfast, subject to council approval.Graham Dean, of L.J. Hooker Lithgow, said the asking price was $450,000.Several hundred metres down Mort Street is the Baptist church, still a place of worship, which is being sold to allow the congregation to move to a bigger site. Its asking price is $495,000.The church is next to a shopping centre and close to Lithgow's central business district. On business-zoned land, it covers 601 square metres and spans two levels.Mr Dean, who is also selling the church, said the site had drawn interest from people looking to establish an antique store, restaurant, book shop and manager's residence.He said the real-estate market in Lithgow was realistic, with an average price for houses of about $182,000. Post-boom numbers reflected a 30 per cent fall in the number of homes sold in 2005 over 2004, and another 8 per cent fall so far this year. "We have about 80 homes for sale ranging from $129,000 to $639,000," he said."The market is mixed, with first home buyers, investors and people looking to relocate out of the city and the mountains."Asset-rich but cash-poor people can cash in their $600,000 homes and buy the equivalent in Lithgow for half the money, then they can have a lifestyle again."
© 2006 Sun Herald
Share This