Neighbors speak out after ‘stubborn family’ refuses to sell land to property developers despite jaw-dropping offers
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: 7News
The Zammits have been hailed as 'the world's most stubborn family' after refusing to sell their home.
The family in question own a beautiful property with sprawling grounds surrounding it near Sydney, Australia.
While the area was once filled with red-bricked homes like theirs, the Zammits' house now sticks out like a sore thumb. This is because the houses that once surrounded them are no longer there after they were demolished by property developers.
Now dozens of identical grey-roofed homes stand in their place.
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The Zammits' land could have been part of the development, but they refused any cash offers - and still are. With this in mind, the new houses have simply been built around their (almost) five acres of land.
It's thought that they've been been offered between AU $33 million (US $22m) and AU $40 million (US $27m).
Meanwhile, real estate agent Taylor Bredin said the land has the ability to accommodate up to 50 houses subdivided into 3,200-square-foot blocks, with each valued at around AU $1 million (US $690,000) each.
According to MailOnline, neighboring blocks of land sold for up to $239/sqm in 2012.
Understandably the Zammits have become a thorn in property developer's side, but they have their surrounding neighbors' support in their decision to not sell up.
"It doesn't really bother us," their next-door neighbor recently told the Mail. "It's their land, they can do what they want with it."
"If I had that property, I would do the same thing," added a different neighbor as she stated that '[she's] with them'.
Neighbors have echoed similar sentiments in the past about the Zammits not selling up.
One previously told 7News: "The fact that most people sold out years and years ago, these guys have held on. All credit to them."
"I'm very happy they've refused to sell," said a second who lives close by.
"It means we have a cul-de-sac which is much safer for our kids - and their big lawn next to us makes it feel like we've got so much space."
They added: "Our neighbors don't get that because the other houses are so close together. We're very grateful! I hope they stay."
And the Zammits aren't alone in wanting to stick it to the man; Augusta resident Elizabeth Thacker has also turned down stacks of cash to sell her home in the US.
The home where she raised her family with her late husband is located on the doorstep of the Augusta National Golf Club.
The club has bought homes nearby to expand the course, but Thacker isn't budging despite a couple down the street getting over $1 million for their property.
Would you sell your family home for a million bucks?