Once condemned, Marianne and Malcolm Booth selling their beautiful North Bundaleer homestead GORGEOUS: The North Bundaleer homestead in its beautiful surrounds. Picture: Dean Martin Source: Supplied WHEN a Sydney couple decided to buy and renovate a 162ha derelict property near Jamestown 15 years ago as a semi-retirement venture, their family and friends thought they had lost it. The homestead, condemned in the 1970s, had become a home for wild animals and the property was overgrown with trees. But Marianne and Malcolm Booth, now 65 and 76, saw its potential and transformed the North Bundaleer property into a luxurious rural retreat which attracts visitors from around the world. The home hits the market on Monday. " (When we bought it) my older son rang his brother and said 'I think mum's finally lost it' and our friends all said we were mad and that it wasn't a good proposition," Mrs Booth said. We knew we were making a very brave or foolhardy decision. It looked absolutely beautiful but totally uncared for ... we felt it was an awful shame to let such a beautiful house completely disappear because there aren't that many homes like this in Australia. HERITAGE HOME: Katie Hollingshead with her mum Marianne Booth and dogs Archie and Tilly and kangaroo Lucinda at their home North Bundaleer homestea near Jamestown. Picture: Calum Robertson The restorations uncovered a few surprises including hidden shoes and love letters under floorboards, and the signatures of everyone who had built the house inscribed behind wallpaper, written on high shelves, scored into the paintwork, below floorboards and etched into stonework. "They wanted to leave their mark because they were pleased with what they had done, as were we," Mrs Booth said. The team that worked on renovating this place all secretly added their own names, we all made sure they left their mark somewhere. Situated halfway between Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges near Clare and Jamestown, the homestead was built in 1901 and can accommodate four couples. There are also two historic outbuildings with three bedrooms and a bathroom, a laundry and a wine cellar, and the property is also home to the original dressed-stone woolshed and stables. HISTORY: The North Bundaleer homestead near Jamestown was built in 1901. Mrs Booth said the home had attracted visitors from Europe, North and South America, Canada, Africa, and Hong Kong - many for return visits, and that the home had hosted many famous names. She said the Chinese market was waiting to be cracked by the next buyer. There's a growing upper-middle class Chinese who want to travel and they're becoming more interested in coming to the Barossa, I see no reason why that couldn't be expanded to the Clare Valley and this place. The couple bought the home at land value and while the couple haven't calculate their expenses, they said they were pleased to have breathed new life into the home. "We hesitate to add it all up, we don't do that because we figure that would be too depressing for words," Mrs Booth said. In a modest sort of way, we're rather proud of ourselves and we've taken great pleasure in people who are pleased with what we've done. NEW LIFE: Condemned in the 1970s, restoration was extensive. We will leave this property in a fit state to last the next 100 years and given it a reason for being as it is a successful enterprise and it has longevity now. The Booths plan to retire properly now and say while they will miss the property, they hope to stay in the area. Mr Booth said North Bundaleer was well-known in the area. "It's regarded as an icon in this area," Mr Booth said. We're custodians of a building which is regarded as part of the community. PLUSH: The ornate period interior of the North Bundaleer homestead. Picture: Dean Martin Colliers International director of rural and agribusiness, Tim Altschwager, who is selling the property, said the home would suit a broad market. "It's a great spot to run the current business, because of its position between Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges, and there may be people who want it for their own residence or to run it as another form of function centre," Mr Altschwager said. There are so few of these properties that change hands. It will be interesting to see what sort of interest it attracts and we're hoping it will attract some overseas interest, possibly a Chinese buyer. Mr Altschwager said he could not say how much the home was expected to sell for, but that but said FAMOUS: The fabulous North Bundaleer homestead in its extensive surrounds. "It's value is a matter of opinion so we just want the market to come back and tell us what it's worth and we're not putting out a number," Mr Altschwager said. The vendors spent far more on the house than they would have bought the property for.