WHEN the opportunity to purchase the neighbouring property popped up earlier this year, the Tomlinson family leapt at the chance.
Ed Tomlinson and his father Ross own three properties at Terry Hie Hie, south of Moree, based on their home block "Myall Plain", which their family has owned since the late 1800s.
In addition to the 1800-hectare "Myall Plain" and the newly purchased, 1400ha "Carmona Downs", the Tomlinson family also owns the 560ha "Lister", which is only one kilometre away.
Ed said it was a "dream come true" when "Carmona Downs" came up for sale earlier in the year, as they were able to sell another property - the 720ha "Kaysix" at Bellata - at the same time, consolidating their aggregation.
The Tomlinson family's situation is indicative of the wider Moree district, as recent Colliers International analysis has shown that despite public perception neighbour-to-neighbour sales are still the underlying driver of the property market.
Ed said his family had had its eye on "Carmona Downs" since the 1960s when his father missed placing an offer on the property by one day.
"He went to put in an offer but it was a day too late... it had already sold," Ed said.
"We didn't realise it was going to come onto the market (again), but as soon as we heard about it we jumped and did as much as we could to get there.
"It was a dream come true, being able to sell one place and purchase another on the same market. It was a blessing."
* More stories on the state of the property market in tomorrow's The Land.
