274 Marmion Street, Mount Barker WA 6324

It’s very hard to find a rural-residential, almost 10-acre property that’s firstly affordable and also ticks most of the boxes where character, self-sufficiency, position, home and inter-generational living, a variety of sheds and fertile land are concerned.

Note: It’s a long write-up covering 6 sections and ending with a summary, so if it’s cut off on this website, please go to the BUY section on my personal website. You can also view 100 honest photos of the property, taken from all angles. Type in https://www.jessadamsrealty.com.au/

1. Built in 1960, this home still manages to display all the best character features typical of the era and lifestyle, while sympathetic renovations and additions added fresh, modern comforts. The roof is relatively new with thick jarrah roof trusses, a new shower was recently installed and the whole house was repainted a few years ago, ready for new owners to move in.

The gorgeous kitchen overlooking the backyard is still very much the heart of the home and can easily accommodate a few chefs at a time. Close friends and family usually converge at the breakfast bar where they share the woes and triumphs of everyday life while enjoying healthy homemade meals, delicious baked goods and the endless preserves from the all-year-round, productive garden.

2. If a high degree of self-sufficiency and off-grid living is on your list, look no further. This property has roof insulation, solar hot water system (still under warranty), water tanks for the kitchen and garden but also connected to scheme water, slow combustion wood fires and a wonderful Everhot wood stove in the kitchen - complete with a wood box that loads from outside.

Roughly 2 acres of mature pine and blue gum trees at the back border provides added privacy from the neighbours’ paddocks and ample firewood for all your needs, leaving an easy-care 8 acres of home, sheds and gardens to manage. This awesome property also boasts more than 40 fruit trees (always something in season), a 60-foot-deep bore (currently unequipped) and a variety of fenced veggie patches with fertile, productive soil.

3. Not only is this property very private as it’s at the very end of a cul-de-sac and screened from all neighbours but it also enjoys two road frontages (potential subdivision) and is close to everything. It’s only 3 minutes’ drive or 1.4 km from my favourite country bakery; 5 minutes’ drive to Supa IGA; 4 minutes’ drive to Plantagenet Hospital; 8 minutes’ drive to Mt Barker School and only about 50km from the City of Albany.

The Shire of Plantagenet is managed from Mt Barker. Major attractions in the area lure many visitors throughout the year, like the Porongurup National Park - within half an hour’s drive. At 1200 million years, it’s estimated to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and has unique flora and fauna. It’s believed to be a remnant of the Precambrian collision that joined Australia and Antarctica until they separated in the Paleocene – roughly 56-66 million years ago, just before the extinction of dinosaurs. Indeed, for much of the Cretaceous and Paleogene, the Porongurup Range was an island surrounded by the sea, with the Stirling Range forming the southern coastline – and it's all less than an hour away. The Great Southern is also the largest wine region in Australia with at least 20 top wineries within a short distance of town. If you haven’t tried Dukes Vineyards’ Sparkling Shiraz or Sparkling Riesling yet, you’re in for a treat!

4. The farmhouse is neat, comfortable and cosy. On entry from the lovely front patio, you have a bedroom on the left (currently a study) and a toilet and decent storage cupboard/walk-in pantry on the right off the open plan dining/kitchen area. Oh, did I mention how awesome the kitchen is with its gorgeous views over the backyard and external blinds? A picture paints a thousand words… Atmospherically speaking, it really sets the scene for the kind of lifestyle on offer…

Behind the kitchen is a full suite consisting of a good-sized lounge, a large bedroom with BIC’s overlooking the back garden and a neat separate bathroom. This could be used as the master suite/parents retreat or could be ideal for the grandies or older kids sharing the home. Perhaps consider Airbnb? It could have its own entry and there are lots of space to add a kitchenette… Next door is bedroom 3.

Down the corridor on the right is a separate lounge/TV room with a door leading out to the east side of the property and a picture window overlooking the side of the property.

Opposite is a newly renovated bathroom with a shower and basin. At the far end is a big bedroom with wall-to-ceiling cupboards and more. It’s a darkish room during the day as the window is almost completely blocked by shrubs - on purpose. It’s great for sleeping, the morning sun pours in and you’re woken up by birdsong. Yes, it’s the little things… :-)

The stone building near the home houses a big laundry at the back, a large pantry/storeroom and an office/sleepout/man shed at the front. An under-roof BBQ/entertainment area is located next to the concreted two-bay carport.

5. A huge 13 x 6 m, high roller door shed with a PA door and skylights is closest to the home. It has a concrete floor and electricity with a 6 x 6m open-backed lean-to behind. Three more recreational sheds can be found in the backyard and rabbit sheds with concrete floors (ex-breeders) near the trees on the opposite side of the backyard.

6. Fruit growing in the Plantagenet district was a massive industry and is the main reason Mt Barker was established. The perfect soil and weather conditions ensured that Mt Barker was the largest producer of apples in Australia with the fruit being shipped out of Albany to England and other countries. We believe this property was part of an apple orchard - currently, it has mature fruit trees (many heirlooms) with lemons, limes, apples, olives, apricots, nectarines, plums and figs – to name but a few.

If you’re a qualified buyer looking for a well-priced 10-acre property in a brilliant location, then please arrange a private viewing with the EXCLUSIVE AGENT, Jess Adams. Finding something like this is very rare, so be quick!

Summary:
• 4x2x4 character home on 3.67ha/9.07 acres within 2 km from town
• Very private, end of cul de sac, 2 road frontages, potential subdivision
• Mostly self-sufficient and can easily be off-grid
• A variety of sheds including a 13x6m with a 6x6m lean-to
• Very neat, cladded home with intergenerational living/Airbnb potential
• Newish tin roof, inside painted, new shower in the bathroom, Solahart Hot Water System still under warranty
• Delightful country kitchen with Everhot woodstove and plumbed to a 23,000l water tank
• Gorgeous hardwood floors through living areas
• Two slow combustion wood fires and gorgeous hardwood floors in the living areas
• Stone building with laundry, storage and man cave/office
• Double carport and outdoor entertainment area
• More than 40 fruit trees, many heirlooms
• Vege patches - productive soil, scheme water also available
• Rates & Taxes roughly $1,500 per year and Water rates $180 p/y.
• Gorgeous lifestyle property, priced to sell - so be quick!