When you think of millionaire homes, grand façades, opulent interiors, spectacular gardens and a wealth of lavish extras probably spring to mind, but not all expensive properties are made equal. From a crumbling 1970s Sydney apartment to a dilapidated family home in Toronto and a 135-square-foot beach hut in Massachusetts, these seemingly ordinary properties all came with hefty price tags. Click or scroll on to find out why these modest homes sold for millions...

This unassuming high-rise in north Sydney doesn't look like much from the outside, so it came as a shock to everyone when a petite two-bedroom apartment sold at auction for $1.5 million (£1.3m/AUD$2.4m) in September 2023 – smashing the reserve price by a staggering $257,000 (£211k/AUD$400k), according to realestate.com.au. The huge price tag comes as even more of a surprise considering the unit hasn't been touched since the 1970s and is in dire need of some TLC. Warning: the carpet will have you reaching for your sunglasses...

It's fair to say that, with its peeling wallpaper and lurid carpet, this one-bathroom home has seen better days. Nevertheless, its sale marked a new high for the building, going for $256,000 (£212k/AUD$402k) more than the previous record price of $1.3 million (£1m/AUD$2m) in 2022. According to the listing, the building – known as Holmsdale Tower – is "tightly-held," meaning apartments rarely come onto the market. 

“We’re thrilled with the result,” listing agent Louise Barton told realestate.com.au. "We had five registered bidders who were all bidding hard and then it went down to three at the end. It came down to aggressive bidding on the day." The massive sale is a result of Sydney's sky-rocketing property market. But despite the unloved interior – including a dated kitchen with brown lino that is generously described as 'retro' in the listing – this photo might give you a clue as to just why the home went for such a grand sum.

The views from the apartment's balcony and large windows are truly breathtaking and take in the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the central business district and multiple bays and charming harbours. The building stands between the highly desirable neighbourhoods of Kirribilli and Neutral Bay, and it also boasts the use of indoor and outdoor heated pools and this apartment is the only one in the building with two parking spaces, which can't have hurt its sale price. 

This adorable turquoise beach house is just too cute to be believed… and it sold for an equally unbelievable price tag. With just three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the snug home in Stone Harbor, New Jersey recently sold in September 2023 in an off-market sale for a shocking $10 million (£12.2m) – more than $2 million (£2.4m) more than the price it was listed for when it last came up for sale in 2019. While the 1954-era home does boast an enviable location on the southern end of Seven Mile Island with unobstructed ocean views, we still can’t quite comprehend the price tag…

Inside, the home offers chic, beachy vibes, with white shiplap walls, colourful furnishings and plenty of natural light. The home’s primary open-plan living area includes a lounge, dining room and modern kitchen. Double-height ceilings help the space feel airy and more spacious than its square footage would suggest, while large windows take advantage of the home’s enviable views.

Vaulted ceilings can also be found in two of the home’s three bedrooms on the upper floor, all of which are as light and airy as the main living space. There is also a second-storey deck, which boasts truly breathtaking views of the beach and ocean.

As you can see from the deck, the home offers unobstructed access to the beach, no doubt a motivation behind its high sale price. Jack Vizzard of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Fox & Roach Realtors, who represented both the buyer and seller, told NJ.com that the new owner has big plans for the plot. "He's talking to an architect right now", Vizzard said, revealing that the buyer intends to tear down the cosy home and build a new property. What a shame to lose this endearing, 50s gem!

Cape Town is another hot property market, which may go some way to explaining why this house, which was gutted by fire and doesn't even come with a roof, sold for several million South African Rand. Against all odds, the three-bedroom home sold in August 2022 for $180,000 (£148k), or R3.4 million in local currency, an eye-watering sum considering its condition and the fact the average sale price in Cape Town that year was $93,000 (£75k/R1.8m). Let's take a look inside at the building's err... charming amenities. 

Described by The South African as "a dwelling fit for a crime scene," the house suffered severe fire damage in 2018 and was left to decay until it was eventually put on the market in 2021. The ruin is filled with debris from the collapsed roof and crumbling walls. Plaster has fallen off to expose the brickwork beneath and almost every beam and window frame has been charred – if not entirely destroyed – by the flames.

While the old building must have been beautiful once, it's now burnt beyond recognition. Optimistically marketed as "the ultimate fixer-upper", it's certainly a unique restoration project for some brave soul to sink their teeth – and money – into. The beautiful front veranda is still mostly intact and hints at the home's past. It used to be part of the Cecil John Rhodes' Estate, which was once owned by the eponymous Brit who served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony in the late 19th century. An ardent imperialist, legislation enacted under his rule has been accused of paving the way for apartheid in South Africa. 

History aside, you may struggle to find any plus points when you consider the state of this bathroom. However, there were solid reasons for the buyer to snap it up – even at such a shocking price. The home stands on an almost 11,000-square-foot corner plot in Cape Town's charming Rondebosch suburb, with mountain views and proximity to the University of Cape Town's main campus. There are also council and heritage approvals already in place to transform the ruin back into a single- or double-storey home. Perhaps it's starting to look a little more appealing?

As Canada's most expensive city, it comes as little surprise that Toronto's property prices are sky-high. What might shock some is that even a dilapidated home, abandoned for almost a decade, standing just outside the city, can still fetch over a million Canadian dollars. Listed in 2014 and 2021 without a sale, the home was relisted in February 2022 for $737,000 (£604k/CA$998k) and was snapped up a month later for $813,000 (£666k/CA$1.1m), a hefty chunk above the asking price.

Standing empty for eight years without heat, electricity or water has really taken its toll on the three-bedroom, two-bathroom family home. While the exterior shows roof damage and cracks in the walls, the story inside is even more bleak. Water damage and mould have taken a devastating toll on almost every part of the interior, from the ceilings and walls to the woodwork and radiators.

The kitchen of the detached two-storey home is clearly unfit for use and no one will fancy taking a shower in that bathroom any time soon. A washbasin lies in pieces on the floor, next to a bath covered in dust and mould. Some optimistic soul seems to have been about to tackle the grime, armed with a bottle of cleaning spray, before giving up and leaving it for the next owner to deal with.

Sadly, the peeling paint, rotting floorboards and insulation spilling from the ceiling will probably spell the end for this home. Even the listing acknowledges the sky-high price is largely based on the value of the land the property stands on, which covers 7,200 square feet. Outside, there's a sizable, gently sloping garden, which – as you may have guessed – could do with a redesign and a new owner with green fingers. Let's hope there's a bright new era in store for this old home.

How much would you pay for a one-room property without a bedroom or even a toilet? We're guessing not much – and certainly not the $1.2 million (£984k/NZ$2m) shelled out by one buyer, who recently snapped up this tiny boat shed in Auckland, New Zealand. Despite zoning rules meaning the new owner won't even be able to stay overnight in their new property, the sale broke the record for the shoreside row. 

Boatshed 15 is one of 17 historic sheds perched on the edge of beautiful Hobson Bay. Built in the 1930s, they're heritage protected to preserve their character and charm, and described in the listing as having the ultimate waterfront position, "fully immersed in the landscape and celebrating a true connection with the ocean." Even so, the price of the hut is at odds with the average cost of a home in Auckland, which was around $568,000 (£466k/NZ$955k) as of May 2023.

Inside, the 700-square-foot property has been converted from a boat shed into a bijou spot to relax in after a day's sailing. A tiny deck built over the water is just large enough for two people to clink glasses, while the interior is simplicity itself, with white tongue-and-groove walls and ceilings throughout. Thanks to its paired-back living spaces, the shed can be easily transformed back into a working boat house, as the winch has been retained and cleverly concealed under the bar leaner. There's a tiny kitchen located just off the entryway. And while you may not enjoy a bathroom, bedroom or even full legal title, we have to admit the view is pretty spectacular, taking in the city skyline and Mount Hobson beyond. 

The snug shed sold at auction on 24 June 2023, when it racked up its shocking selling price. One explanation for the price tag is that the whole row has become a coveted local landmark. These petite properties come onto the market rarely, with families passing them down from one generation to the next. While you may assume anywhere a shed can command $1.2 million (£976k/NZ$2m) must have a booming housing market, you'd sadly be wrong. Far from booming, New Zealand is currently experiencing a housing market crash, with sale prices down 18% since figures peaked during the pandemic. According to The Guardian, the drop began after tax rules were tightened for property investors and efforts to rein in high inflation steadily increased mortgage interest rates. However, the average house price is still roughly 12 times the average household income, and even homes you'd think would be a bargain sell for much more than expected. 

They say that something is only worth what someone will pay for it, and never has that been truer than in the mind-boggling sums involved in real estate deals. While this burnt-out shack certainly doesn’t look like it could be worth much, its $1 million (£820k) price tag tells a different story. This structure is part of a larger parcel which, while it may include five acres of land, would need to be completely overhauled for it to become liveable. Let's take a closer look...

The main ‘home’ dates to 1924, and while the listing insists that the building offers ‘character’, we can’t help but think that the property would have to be a complete teardown given the extent of the damage and dilapidation. At just 1,032 square feet, with two bedrooms and only a partial bath, this property is far from a functional family home for the 21st century. In addition to the main house, the property also includes two outbuildings: the burnt-out wooden cabin and this shed-like structure which appears to once have been used for costume storage. The rest of the parcel is a barren wasteland, with no landscaping and very little vegetation.

So why does this listing carry such a high price? Surely it must be its potential for development. The property sits on the city limits of Holtville, a small town deep in Southern California, near the Mexican border, which benefits from nearly constant sunshine and warm temperatures. The listing suggests that the surrounding area is rapidly evolving, with new housing developments being built nearby. The site is also close to local schools, making it suitable for families with young children. Plus, with a parcel of this size, there is certainly the potential to build a dream home if you were prepared to start from scratch. “The possibilities are endless to make this your own country paradise,” the listing suggests, somewhat optimistically.

However, given the extent of work required to make this property habitable, and the fact that the median selling price for up-to-date homes in the area is just $340,000 (£278k), we can’t quite wrap our heads around the $1 million (£820k) price tag. Abandoned for some years and being sold ‘as is’, the parcel is asking investors to sink a baseline of a million dollars into a project that would unquestionably require many more hundreds of thousands in construction.

From the outside, this rundown bungalow looks rather unappealing – and things don't get much better inside either. Yet despite its crumbling façade and general state of disrepair, the shabby Victorian home sold at auction in October 2014 for a whopping AUD$1.1 million, which equates to $703,000 (£576k).

The extreme fixer-upper had been in the same family since 1923 and was described by the real estate agents at Woodards as having 'exciting prospects'. The property can be found in the Brunswick suburb of Melbourne, Australia, a spot known for its laid-back vibe, live music scene and bustling beer gardens, so perhaps the home's location is behind its sizeable price tag.

The abandoned building offers 5,285 square feet of space, including three bedrooms, one bathroom, a large entrance hall, a spacious living room and a kitchen. On the plus side, every room benefits from generously high ceilings and period fixtures, which would help to make this an attractive and characterful home once restored. Key features include original fireplaces, decorative woodwork, tiled floors, vaulted ceilings and sash windows. 

The house also boasts a spacious garden but this too is in serious need of attention. There's also parking for one car and a sizeable garage. Yet clearly much work would need to be done to make the place livable. Still, the home's rundown state didn't deter buyers and it was snapped up for a staggeringly high sum. Today, REA Group suggests that the house is worth as much as AUD$1.8 million, which is almost $1.2 million or £943,000.

Over in Toronto, the property market isn't much better, although you can gain slightly more bang for your buck. While you can bag some big homes for small bucks across Canada, this three-bedroom house isn't one of them! In January 2021, the modern townhouse sold for around CAD$1.1 million, which equates to $815,00 (£668k). Let's step inside to try and decipher why...

House prices in the city and its suburbs are notoriously steep. Built in 2004, the contemporary home can be found halfway between the residential neighbourhoods of Rockcliffe–Smythe and Mount Dennis on the outskirts of Toronto. Inside, the entryway flows into a small open-plan lounge with a compact dining area. 

Spread over three floors, the house offers three bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a kitchen with a breakfast bar and another dining space. There's also a raised deck that leads down to the compact backyard, which is in need of an overhaul to whip it back into shape. 

The house certainly has its plus points, such as nine-foot ceilings, polished hardwood floors, oak staircases and ample windows, but the property hardly screams luxury. However, there is one big bonus – a large walk-out basement, which could be used as a vacation rental or leased out to a tenant.

In February 2021, this tiny Victorian house in Sunnyside, San Francisco, sold for just over $1 million (£820k). Located close to Glen Park Village, award-winning schools and the city's Muni Metro system, this pocket-sized property's prime location is definitely the reason for its sizeable price tag.

Inside, there are just eight rooms, including two bedrooms, one bathroom, a dining room, a family room, a kitchen and a living room. There's also an almost 3,000-square-foot garden, a large garage and a private driveway, all of which could have helped to push up the cost.

The 719-square-foot residence was constructed in 1906 and was in a fairly decent state when it was sold, plus unlike some of the other million-dollar homes on our list, this one seems to have been recently decorated. Every room is spacious and light-filled and offers attractive historic details, like bay windows, high ceilings and decorative sconces.

The pine kitchen is a good size, however, it could do with a makeover in order to bring it up to date for modern living. There's definitely still some work needed to render this house worthy of its inflated asking price!

Though it might look like a garden shed, this humble structure is actually a house. And not just any house – one with a million-dollar price tag. In fact, the vintage bungalow, which can be found in the coastal city of Santa Cruz, California, sold in October 2021 for just over $1 million (£820k). That's an astounding $3,125 (£2.6k) per square foot. Even more amazingly, it sold in just 30 days. 

The characterful little property was constructed in 1948 and offers just 328 square feet of inside space. To put that into perspective, tiny homes are generally designed to be under 600 square feet, but many span 400 square feet, making this house really, really small.

The retro property boasts just four rooms, including a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom. A little rundown, the interior spaces could all do with a makeover. Although, thanks to generous ceilings, large windows and historic design elements, the home has plenty of character. Features worth rescuing include the home's hardwood floors and terracotta tiles.

Two things might have pushed up the price of this unusual residence. Firstly, the lot measures 3,833 square feet and there's a garage that's been converted into a bonus room that could be utilised as a home office or even a teeny tiny holiday cottage. What's more, the bungalow can be found in the heart of the desirable neighbourhood of Seabright, close to Castle Beach. Highlighting the extremes of inflation, the house was last on the market in 1999 and sold for $250,000 – that's $456,000 (£374k) in today's money. 

It goes without saying that London is one of the world's most expensive property markets, but this city micro house in the residential area of East Dulwich proves just how ludicrous house prices are in the British capital. Standing just 10 feet wide, the tiny home hit the market in 2016 for $1 million (£800k).

Nicknamed the "Skinny House", the ultra-narrow abode was constructed on what was probably a brownfield site and has been squeezed between two traditional (and much larger) properties. The galley-style home offers just 800 square feet of living space over two compact floors.

The front door opens straight into the living room, which also houses the kitchen. This contemporary space leads out through bi-folding glass doors to a compact backyard. Upstairs, the ultra-slim house features two snug bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

Priced at more than $1,200 (£1k) per square foot, it's a staggering cost for such a petite property. In fact, the Evening Standard suggests that this part of London is one of the capital's top spots for house price growth, and has seen a staggering 863% increase in property value over the past two decades. 

Another aptly named 'Skinny House' can be found in Boston, Massachusetts. The ultra-narrow home was built in 1890 and is considered a local landmark that's deeply rooted in Boston's rich history. Perhaps this is why the 1,165-square-foot property, also known as Spite House, sold in August 2021 for just under $1.3 million (£1.1m).

Due to space constraints, the front door can be found down a side alley. Once you find the entrance, step inside and you'll really see the narrow proportions of this historic home. Measuring just 10.4 feet at its widest point, and 6.2 feet at its narrowest, the property is laid out over four ultra-small floors. There's a miniature living room, a compact kitchen, two bedrooms and a single bathroom. 

Locals believe that one brother built the house to spite the other. “There are no absolute records, but the folklore has it that a family bought a piece of land. One brother went off to the Civil War and the other brother built a great big house, leaving just this parcel,” the real estate agent told Realtor. “When the brother with the big house went away, for spite, the second brother built this skinny house to fit the space." 

Surprisingly, the narrow home does come with outdoor space. As well as two balconies, one of which boasts unobstructed views of Boston's iconic skyline and harbour, there's also a small backyard. We know exterior space in cities is rare but does that really justify the price? Well, the new owner obviously thought so, because the house was snapped up just 38 days after hitting the market.

Have you ever wondered how much 900 square feet of space costs in the staggeringly expensive city of San Francisco? Well, wonder no more because this Victorian home sold in 2019 for a cool $1.3 million (£1.1m). While there's no denying the appeal of this North Slope residence, its minute size and unfinished interior might not be top of everyone's list...

Built in 1887, the petite property lies in the Bernal Heights neighbourhood of the city and features just one bedroom and one bathroom. Step through the front door and you'll find a small entrance hall, a lounge, dining room and space for a kitchen – although at the time of listing the home didn't have one! 

The seemingly abandoned American home is filled with natural light and boasts plenty of period features, such as natural timber floors, oversized sash windows, high ceilings and wood panelling. Yet the new owner will likely have to spend a small fortune bringing the house up to standard. In fact, the listing at Coldwell Banker tells potential buyers to bring their imagination and call their contractors!

Luckily, the residence does sit within a 1,750-square-foot lot, including this overgrown terrace, which certainly adds to its appeal. Yet with missing walls, unfinished electrics, an old-school bathroom and no kitchen, we can't quite get over the home's million-dollar price tag!

It's likely you already know that New York is one of the most expensive cities in America, especially when it comes to real estate. Yet this three-bedroom house in the trendy neighbourhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, highlights just how inflated property prices have become in the Big Apple. 

The rundown residence features three bedrooms (although one is about the size of a closet) and two bathrooms, as well as a hallway, a kitchen-diner and a lounge. There's also an attic space and an exterior balcony, which we're sure added dollars onto its price tag.

The dusty duplex was built in 1915 and doesn't appear to have received much in the way of TLC since then. Old-fashioned and in need of a serious facelift, the townhouse offers just 1,500 square feet of interior space laid out over two floors.

Despite the unloved state of the duplex and the fact it's in need of major renovation both inside and out, the property sold in 2021 for a cool $1.3 million (£1.1m). Perhaps the home's potential and proximity to Williamsburg's waterfront played a role in bumping up the price. Here's hoping the new buyer has plans to overhaul this historic gem...

When you picture beach huts or waterfront cabins, you'd be right to imagine rustic timber shacks with tiny interiors and the bare essentials. So, when this listing hit the market in November 2021, it caused quite the stir. For just under $1.8 million (£1.5m), you could get your hands on a mere 405 square feet of space along the waterfront of Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The listing included three tiny timber cabins positioned on the sought-after Union Wharf overlooking the ocean. This is likely the reason why the price of the cabins is so inflated, because this waterside accommodation is far from fancy. Constructed in 1930, the huts are in need of some attention...

Though the units are deeded separately, they were marketed as a package deal and each has its own unique personality. Inside, the cabins offer rustic coastal decorations, with exposed timber, nautical accessories and the bare basics in terms of amenities. Cabin one features Douglas fir flooring, a vaulted ceiling, a kitchen and storage space, while cabin two offers a small kitchenette and dining area. Cabin three comes with the best views, as well as a lofted sleeping area.

Each unit measures around 135 square feet and there’s a communal shower for the three properties. The third cabin comes with a waterfront deck that's ideal for entertaining during the summer months – and while such a thing is truly priceless, we can't help but think millions of dollars is slightly too much to ask for a nice view, a single bedroom and a shared bathroom... The cabins were removed from the market in January 2023. It's unclear if they sold or if buyers were hesitant to take on this unusual opportunity.

This abandoned townhouse in the heart of San Francisco could easily be the ultimate fixer-upper. Described as 'the worst house on the best block' in the listing, it sold in early 2022 for just under a shocking $2 million (£1.6m) via auction, after originally being offered at $1.4 million (£1.1m). That's a huge $600,000 (£492k) above the original price! 

Located in the upscale Noe Valley neighbourhood, the high price reflects its location in one of the most sought-after areas, where houses sell for the average price of $2.6 million (£2.1m), according to the New York Post. Sitting empty and abandoned, the new owner is going to have to spend some serious cash on the derelict home. 

Surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, the townhouse is spread over 2,100 square feet. Described as an 'opportunity like few others to build your dream home', the small kitchen is in need of some serious TLC. With dirty floors, broken appliances and no homely touches, it's going to need someone with a vivid imagination. However, one selling point of the home is its plot size. Coming in at 2,850 square feet, which is spacious in the land-strapped area of San Fransisco, the lot is also zoned for up to two residences, which means that the new buyer could make a ton of cash.

At 120 years old, the house has seen plenty of wear and tear. With a wood frame that's barely standing it currently features boarded-up windows and mismatched flooring. However, the realtor Todd Wiley, told Insider that: "The conservatorship sale, which is a process that involves the California probate court, helped push the price to more than double what they had proposed at the outset." Thinking the home would then sell for $1.6 million (£1.3m), the live-auction environment pushed the sale to just shy of $2 million (£1.6m). 

Untouched for over 50 years, this rundown piece of real estate came with a seriously hefty price tag. Located in the affluent district of Chiswick, London, the Edwardian residence landed on the market in late 2020 for $2.2 million (£1.8m) but finally sold for just shy of $2.6 million (£2.1m).

The semi-detached home, though once grand, was in a state of disrepair when it was listed for sale and the buyer would certainly have needed a good imagination and a whole load of cash! The dilapidated time-warp property offered peeling wallpaper, crumbling plasterwork and disintegrating floorboards, along with a few hidden period gems.

Inside, the three-storey house features three generous reception rooms, five bedrooms, a large living room and kitchen, as well as a spacious garden. Key architectural details remain intact but clearly need some work. These include hardwood floors, gorgeous ceiling cornices and ornate fireplaces.

Despite its state of decay and the sheer amount of work required, the home's price tag was eight times the average house price in England at the time and around four times as much as standard London house prices. Yet the inflated valuation isn't surprising given the home's location in one of London's most sought-after residential spots.

Overcrowded and overpriced, Hong Kong has quickly become one of the world's most expensive cities. Here, over seven million people live in an area of around 1,100 km², so of course getting your foot on the property ladder is an extremely pricey affair. From luxury micro-apartments to co-housing schemes, the city has a wealth of seemingly ordinary homes that are well out of reach of ordinary citizens – and this apartment in the Happy Valley area of the city proves it. 

Located inside a rather unassuming high-rise tower block, the modest apartment spans just 1,185 square feet. It features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a light-filled lounge with a small dining area. Modern and bright, it's definitely a space that would appeal to young professionals and families – provided they have deep pockets.

The apartment also features a separate galley kitchen and a small balcony, with just about enough space for a table and some chairs. Far from offering an impressive view, the property overlooks a residential car park and other surrounding tower blocks.

And yet, the city pad was last on the market with Sotheby's International Realty for $3.8 million (£3.1m) – that's a staggering HK$30 million in the local currency! Though it's yet to sell, it's likely this petite pad will go for the full amount given the high demand in this space-starved city.

The town of Palm Beach, Florida, is considered to be one of America's most affluent and prestigious places. As well as being home to its own 'Billionaires' Row', an exclusive strip of land that boasts some of the world's most expensive houses, Palm Beach Daily News also suggests that almost 50 Palm Beach residents are billionaires. So it's no real wonder that even modest pieces of real estate are being sold off for millions of dollars, just like this bungalow. 

Dating back to 1951, the mid-century modern home has a distinctively retro aesthetic. Offering 2,529 square feet of inside space, it comes with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living room and an old-fashioned kitchen. 

There are some perks, though. The dated home boasts original beehive tile floors in some of the rooms, as well as brick fireplaces and built-in cabinetry that could be restored. The lounge also offers an impressive vaulted ceiling, decorated with beautiful whitewashed timber beams.

Outside, there's also a lush garden, plus the house itself is nestled in 0.29 acres. This fixer-upper could definitely be something special given the right amount of TLC, yet the home's price didn't reflect its current state. While it's unclear if the property sold, it was previously pending sale at just under $17 million (£13.9m) and it's safe to say the home's location had everything to do with the asking price. Whether the new owner plans on restoring the house or demolishing it and starting again remains to be seen.

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