Three-bedroom house hits Queensland market for the...

You might be forgiven for thinking that the asking price of a house for sale in outback Queensland is actually what's required for the deposit.

Key points: June quarter real estate results show the median value for regional homes sits at $386,454A three-bedroom home in the town of Boulia, known for the Min Min light, is on the market for $60,000One expert says the pandemic, technological improvements, and house prices in urban areas are driving interest in regional living

The home, which is one of Australia's cheapest houses on the market, according to Property Observer, is up for grabs for a mere $60,000.

Mount Isa based real estate agent John Tully said he had received more interest in the property than he expected.

"You would be very surprised, actually," he said.

"I've marketed other properties in these towns before and probably not had the interest in what we created since the COVID issue turned up.

"I've got a lady from the Gold Coast, she wants to come and drive out there, she wants to get away from it all.

"The longer this goes on, maybe someone will take it.

"I've never seen the interest that this one has created when I've marketed other properties."

The good news for bargain hunters is it's not the only cheap house available in outback Queensland.

About 650km down the road from Boulia, in Isisford, a three-bedroom home is on the market for $45,000.

And in Bluff, 177km west of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Highway, a three-bedroom "renovator's dream" is being advertised for $35,000.

Mr Tully says the home has built-in wardrobes and a modern kitchen.(

Supplied: Jessica Neil

) The market

According to the June quarter report from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) and CoreLogic, the median value for Brisbane houses is at $557,265.

For regional houses the median is sitting at $386,454.

Mr Tully said he had noticed a lot of increase in people moving to Mount Isa since COVID-19 began impacting daily life earlier this year.

"I think it's definitely happening in Mount Isa," he said.

"We've seen a big influx of younger people moving here with their children.

"I think that's a big bonus — we will become a young town again."

Boulia Shire Mayor and local grazier Rick Britton.(

ABC Rural: Eric Barker

) Mayor's message

Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton says houses are not often sold in Boulia, which is more than 18 hours from Brisbane by road and boasts no major supermarkets or shops.

"There's the odd [house sold] but not very often as the council is probably the biggest real estate agent in Boulia," he said.

"The council owns a lot of the houses but they're mainly for employees." Find more local news

Cr Britton said the rental return could be strong on the property, given the asking price.

"Rent in Boulia is around $200 to $240 a week," he said.

"Where else can you buy a house for $60,000 and rent it out at that price?"

Cr Britton said he had noticed a rise in people applying for local jobs since the pandemic began.

"There's always job opportunities in Boulia, and I think with the COVID … we've had a number of people apply for that job where we used to have to really search them out," he said.

"With this COVID around, maybe this remote isolation could become the new normal and become the new trend."

Lifestyle pursuits rise

The University of Queensland Business School's John Sturgeon, who teaches real estate and development, said he believed a number of factors were driving the increased interest in rural houses.

"With the move towards our workforces working remotely from home, improvements in technology and constraints of housing affordability in our capitals there is an opportunity for those considering to capitalise on a treeless change opportunity," Dr Sturgeon said.

"Evidence suggests that there has been a significant increase in interest for isolation lifestyle pursuits.

"This interest has extended beyond the typical outdoor recreational activities of boating, off-roading and camping to [include] isolated real estate options."

Cr Britton said anyone wanting to take advantage of country living with no traffic jams should consider moving to the bush.

"If you don't have a go, you don't know," he said.