Property values are very low in Norseman: HTW

The small mining town of Norseman, 200 kilometres north of Esperance, has had an interesting 2016 and will likely have an interesting 2017, according to HTW’s February 2017 update.

Norseman Gold Mine, the main employer in the town, went into a care and maintenance program in June 2014 with most staff laid off and the town largely emptied.

This is on the back of massively declining values since 2012 due largely to uncertainty over the future of the mine.

Since July 2014, however, the volume of property sales in Norseman has been particularly strong, especially noting the overall size of the market, the valuation firm says.

Values are very low with a four bedroom home in a generally good condition likely to sell for less than $50,000 and typical sales for older homes in varying conditions ranging between $20,000 and $40,000.

“It has been suggested Norseman provided the most affordable housing in the country and this could well be correct and be a reason that sales volumes are improving,” HTW says.

“As to whether any capital growth may occur, it is unlikely until the local economy can stabilise with either the current mine re-opening or new publicised mining ventures in the region gaining some momentum.”

A three bedroom house at 22 Prinsep Street, Norseman (above) has been listed for $199,000.

Similarly a four bedroom house at 26 Roberts Street, Norseman (below) has been listed for $135,000.