Rotorua accountant Steven Slack has bought the deal of a lifetime: A four-bedroom, two-bathroom transportable house for $143,000.
Mr Slack was the successful bidder in the Waiariki Institute of Technology Charity House Project auction held at Rotorua PlaceMakers on Te Ngae Rd yesterday.
About 100 people turned up for the auction, run by Professional McDowell Real Estate, and Mr Slack's only competition was a bidder from Kaukapakapa.
Now Mr Slack has the dilemma of trying to find a place to put the new home.
"I hadn't really thought that far ahead. But we've been looking at some sections," Mr Slack said. "Potentially we have several options. We have a friend probably moving here, so either rent it to him or sell it."
It was not Mr Slack's first time buying a home but it was his first time buying at auction.
"Initially [my wife and I] were going to wait until it hit reserve and whatever and see how much it was going to be."
Auctioneer Phil Hereford said Mr Slack had grabbed a great bargain, buying the home under the set reserve price.
"I wish it had sold for more than that. I really, really did. The students put their heart and soul in it.
"I didn't think [the sale] was going to get there at all but it did and next year it will get better."
The Charity House Project is a collaboration between Waiariki, Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Rotorua District Council and the business community.
Every year for five years, a house is built by Waiariki carpentry students and sold at auction. Proceeds go to Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust for distribution in the community.
Rotary Rotorua Sunrise president Sue Gunn said about $2000 would be distributed to the community once costs were taken out.