AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ, episode six recap
This week, we follow the journeys of two young couples who are attempting to climb the property ladder in Auckland Tamaki Makaurau – no mean feat, by any stretch.
Luckily, they have our hosts fighting in their corners to navigate the highs and lows. As Paul so poetically put it: “The New Zealand property market is tricky - just like ordering a coffee, there are endless options, and it’s always more expensive than you think.”
Paul is assisting first-home buyers graduate from an inner-city rental to more space in the suburbs, while Jayne is helping a family of three find a comfortable home with room to grow in the community they love.
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Coast with the most
Proud coasties Seb and Ayla met at a party and Seb later attempted to woo her with his famous “curry and pasta” dish. Luckily, this unhinged merging of cuisines didn’t put her off, and they bought their first home in Stanmore Bay five years ago. Now that baby Kit has come along, they’ve outgrown the space and are on the hunt for an upgrade.
Seb and Ayla with baby Kit and LLL host Jayne Kiely. Photo / TVNZ
Seb is giving personality hire vibes to the search and isn’t a fan of the legwork, but fortunately, Ayla’s business mind and determination keep them online and on track. As Jayne points out, history does show that when women take charge, “things get done properly and on time”. They’re after a three-bed, two-bath home with outdoor flow, an office and space for Seb’s surfboards. They’re working with a budget of about $1m, and although Ayla’s parents could step in to up this a little, the couple would rather stick to a manageable mortgage.
First, they head to Hatfields Beach for a renovated two-level place with "Cabin in the Woods" energy. While they love the vibes and quaint feel, there’s no bath, and it’s a bit too small.
Next stop is Red Beach, for another charming, cottage-style home. The couple adore the garden, as well as the light and location, but can’t get their heads around the compact size of the bedrooms, which is a deal breaker.
Seb and Ayla learn a valuable lesson about Auckland's housing market right now - but does everything work out in the end? Photo / TVNZ
It’s off down the road for the final property, where Paul joins in to help show Seb and Ayla around the single-level three-beddy. It ticks every box and is the favourite by far, as it’s warm, healthy and on a 600sqm freehold site. Sadly, with their house still to sell, the timeline is too tight to make it happen, highlighting how important it is to be a cash buyer.
In a twist to their family fairytale, Seb and Ayla subsequently put their home on the market and then buy a new Stanmore Bay property at auction. Just an hour later, the sale of their home went unconditional – win, win!
Brick by brick
Michael and Aaliyah love the buzz of city life, with Michael confessing he on a first-name basis with more than a few of the local restaurateurs. Their studio apartment is more a tiny home in sky, and at 36sqm, snug is an understatement, so they are realistic about moving out of the CBD to increase their footprint.
The couple are serious LEGO fans and need space to build and display their creations in their first home, as well as three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They’re working with a budget between $800,000 and $900,000 and are battling with decision paralysis, so Paul swoops in to assist and ensure there are no "missing pieces".
Agent Paul Glover is on a mission to build up the confidence of first-home buyers Michael and Aaliyah. Photo / TVNZ
The blessing (or curse, depending on how to perceive it) is that Michael and Aaliyah are out of towners, so Paul has his choice of Auckland’s around 300 suburbs to choose from. He kicks off in Waterview with a modern three-bedroom townhouse that could fit the couple’s entire apartment downstairs. It ticks quite a few boxes and is a strong start, especially as it’s in budget.
Jayne joins the crew for property number two, a standalone bungalow in Beach Haven.
There’s space galore (no more guests sleeping under the computer table) and a spot for the LEGO cabinet. Paul is feeling very confident (Oscar the therapy cat on his lap disagrees) and Aaliyah concurs it’s a Goldilocks house for them, not too big, not too small, just right.
The couple are looking for more room for both them and their LEGO collections. Photo / TVNZ
Finally, it’s off to Hobsonville to check out a modern, low-maintenance townhouse – “look at this fancy thing,” announces Aaliyah approvingly. The sun-soaked three-bedroom home and stunning Scandinavian fit-out capture their hearts instantly, and huzzah, they put in an offer and have it accepted!
Fashion Watch
Paul knows he’s onto a winner with property number three, so dons his shades to strut confidently into his meeting with Michael and Aaliyah.
Line of the Week
Paul likens buying houses to building LEGO. “Start fresh or build on what you’ve got, but however you do it, everything is awesome. And yes, now you’ve got that song stuck in your head too. You’re welcome.”
