Qld’s housing squeeze sees squash courts for sale as homes now

If the housing crisis has squeezed you out of property options and you don’t mind a bit of sweat equity, Qld has the drop shot on the rest of the market, offering squash courts for sale as homes now.

Squash court owners in rural Queensland have begun offering former commercial operations as alternatives for housing, as smaller towns rally in the wake of the tightest housing market on record.

Spacious, with high ceilings, lots of ventilation, and already subdivided into large rooms, the squash courts are in towns where the local population don’t seem as keen anymore on the game that’s said to be played by more than 20 million people in over 150 countries.

20 Stuart St, Monto, is currently for sale.

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Vanessa Radel of Galaxy Real Estate is awaiting a price guide on one such set of squash courts in Monto, just over two hours from Gladstone, which even has change rooms intact at the front of the building, as well as two courts, a viewing area, canteen and upstairs seating for your cheer squad.

“Back in its day this property was run as the Monto Local Squash Courtswith all the facilities still there to potentially start up again or renovate into second living quarters or add extra bedrooms,” she said.

“At the back of the building is a two level three bedroom house featuring lounge, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living area.”

Close to the hospital, schools and the showgrounds, the property was described as being “well worth the look for any investor”.

The three bedroom, three bathroom, one car space, 1,083sq m property was listed on realestate.com.au as a “home with potential”.

Another set of courts has hit the market less than 20 minutes from Mackay – this one much further along in its repurposing with seven bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 4,566sq m block.

30 Pugsley Street, Walkerston, is on just over an acre of lan

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Toni Payne of Mackay City Property said the ex Walkerston Squash Courts were “highly suitable for many different purposes”.

“Boasting over 500sq m under roof and situated on just over an acre of land, the sky is the limit with this unique property.”

Ms Payne said the “owners are extremely motivated” to sell with the property also offering options for those looking for a warehouse or offices in a high growth area.

It was exactly that commercial spin that saw former fully functioning squash courts sell for $385,000 at 16 Evans Street, Pittsworth – half an hour’s drive from Toowoomba.

The former large sports and recreational use building which sits on a 1,998sq m block on two titles was described as being “great buying”.

16 Evans Street, Pittsworth, sold for $385,000.

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“Previously used as a fully functioning gymnasium and squash courts, the building has two large open areas, all neatly insulated ceilings, two squash courts with timber flooring, a mezzanine area containing office, storeroom, kitchenette, waiting/sitting area, and ladies and gents showers and toilets,” according to agent Alice Ridgway of Hot Property Toowoomba who listed it with colleague Leon Carlile.

The owners of the squash courts at 22 Lord Street, Childers – listed for sale by Property Now Mooloolaba – are hoping for a price of $425,000 for their squash court and fitness centre which sits on a 1,012sq m block.

“This well-presented building offers two glass-backed squash courts with a third being utilised as a gym,” the realcommercial.com.au listing said.

But they haven’t written off its potential for housing either, saying “the potential is there to run a health and fitness business or it can be converted to townhouses or units subject to council approval”.

“The property is ideally situated close to schools and is only a short stroll from the centre of town. The fitness centre is complemented by a reception and office area, a large kitchen, storage area and an outside entertainment area incorporating a barbecue.”

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