Moncton's surplus military homes being snatched up

Only one of 74 surplus military homes in Moncton's Acadia Park is still up for sale.

There was a lot of interest in the single and semi-detached houses, which only hit the market in January, said Remax agent Bea Richford, who sold a couple of them.

She says the west end homes have proven popular, especially for people just entering the real estate market.

"The price was right. They're in relatively good condition and there really wasn't much to do except to come in and do a bit of decorating, so it was a great opportunity for a first-time buyer, or any buyer really, to come in and get a property for a really good price in a great neighbourhood," said Richford.

Many of the homes homes were sold in packages to developers. Fifteen went up for sale individually.

"Initially, it was an investor, and then a few families, but in the end it turned out to be all single families. And for the duplexes, somebody would buy one with the intention of probably renting out the other side, either to family, or to somebody individually," said Richford.

Only one duplex, located at 185--187 Dickson Blvd., is left. It's listed at $147,900 and boasts six bedrooms, with a brick and vinyl exterior.

Still, Richford says buyers are hoping there might be a few more bargains to be found.

"People are anxiously awaiting to see if there's anything else coming back on the market and I think you won't know that until the 15th of April, so there may be a few more properties to energize that area again that may come online, but as of right now, even regular real estate seems to be getting a lot more exposure and activity," she said.

When the Department of Defence no longer needed the homes, they were offered to other federal government departments, then to the provincial government and the city.

A group that helps the homeless was interested, but later changed its mind.