Friday was the big day for the Hicks and Cook families of Pinjarra.
It was moving day, both had removalists leaving their homes at 9.30am and both had settlement at 10am - they moved into each other's houses and their story is one of beautiful community spirit.
"We've even shared packing boxes," mum-of-two and Alcoa machine operator Sharnah Cook said.
"They told us that they're both retired and can they do anything to help. They have let us take items to the property ahead of time and have been nothing but amazing," she said of Rob and Jill Hicks, whose home they are moving into.
Ms Cook and her husband Matt, who also works at Alcoa, as a fitter, said they saved money and time after the owners of a home they put an offer on, bought their house.
It's time that's in short supply for them, with both working full-time and parenting two primary school-aged children.
It's an unusual situation that two families buy each others homes and one that Harcourts agent Paul Harris hasn't come across before in his 24 years of working in real estate.
"It's the first time I've had this happen," Mr Harris said. "I knew the [retired couple] wanted the area the Cooks were living in. I said we've got a subject sale, let's go and see if it suits you. It just worked out so nice. Both parties have been absolutely beautiful people. They're just wrapped and it's a great result for both."
The Hicks wanted to downsize and be close to the school their grandchildren attend but still wanted enough room to have the grandchildren over and space for caravan and boat parking.
The Naturaliste Drive property in Pinjarra's Country Roads Estate fit the bill.
The Cooks tomorrow move onto the acreage on Beacham Road with room for the children to run around, ride motorbikes, kick the football and keep some sheep.
The properties are just a five-minute drive apart.
Mr Harris said being winter, the real estate market had slowed somewhat but homes were still selling relatively fast.
"There is more demand for 2-5 acre lifestyle properties," Mr Harris said. "We seem to be seeing more people moving from Perth for those properties, there has been quite an influx of people wanting to get away from the city."
Ms Cook said there were many people at most of the viewings they went to.
"We didn't think we could afford this property and because the building process takes so long at the moment - three years people are being told - more people are wanting to buy. At the moment, it's easier to buy a house than rent if you can afford it."
The Cooks built their first house and "loved it" but said it was always going to be a stepping stone to something bigger.
Daniela Cooper
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
