AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ, episode 2 recap
Life, and the property market as it so happens, is all about the journey. This rings particularly true in episode two of AA Insurance Location Location Location NZ, as we meet two groups of house-hunters, each entering their next meaningful chapter.
This week, we’re in Auckland's North Shore, where Paul is helping three generations build their future together, and Jayne is assisting another family who are making the move from Whangarei for work.
The generation game
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Caroline and Medi met at a friend’s engagement party, of which they both have quite different recollections. “Medi was obsessed with me,” laughs Caroline. Fast forward a few years, and the young couple were happily married and expecting their first baby when Caroline’s dad, Eugene, sadly died from cancer.
Losing Eugene was the catalyst for a shift in priorities, so Medi, Caroline and their baby daughter are combining resources with Caroline’s Mum, Lynne, and are looking for a property they can all live in together. “There are three of us in this marriage,” says Lynn, with a touch of the signature humour that has helped the family navigate their grief. Plus, she has a contingency in mind, “If I get sick of them, I can go and travel.” “Or if I get sick of you, retirement village!” responds Caroline good naturedly.
Paul shows the family three houses but none of them seem to work. Photo / Supplied
They’re looking for a four-bed, two-bath home with a separate dwelling, or space to build one, and although their budget is $1.8m, they’re willing to stretch for the perfect place.
Paul’s first cab off the rank for the crew is a stylishly renovated, three-level home in Beach Haven with space downstairs for “the old girl”, says Lynne. “Spring chicken,” assures Paul. Although they love the views, unfortunately, it’s too much of a drastic downsize for Lynne. Next up is a 2000sqm Greenhithe box ticker with consent for a minor dwelling. It also has a pool that has Caroline fizzing with excitement. “Good job Paulykins,” she exclaims.
Jayne joins the whanau for the for the Waimauku wild card, a stylish and spacious four-year-old home with a minor dwelling out the back for Lynne. Caroline, forever wearing her heart on her sleeve, is convinced they’ve found their forever home, but Medi acts as the voice of reason after he notes that his CBD commute would be too long. Sadly, none of the three properties was quite right for the family, but through the process, Caroline, Medi and Lynne have gained some real clarity for their next steps.
Trading places
Anaesthetist Jo and husband John – technically retired but a full-time home mixologist and bulldozer enthusiast - are heading back to the big smoke, now that their kids have all but left home. “We are cautiously entering the empty nester phase of our lives,” says Jo (do we sense a twinkle in her eye?). They’ll miss the space and privacy of their huge rural property, “like swapping a footy field for a doormat,” as Paul puts it, but needs must as Jo has a new job on the Shore.
Jayne, right, with house-hunters John, left and Jo. John and Jo have moved to the Shore for Jo's work. Photo / Supplied
Self-confessed tricky customers, Jo and John want to be close to Jo's hospital job, but other than that, the land is very important to John and the house itself is the key focus for Jo. Jayne to the rescue! They tell her they’re looking for three to four bedrooms, two bathrooms and room for the kids to boomerang if need be.
After Jayne optimistically asks if she’s working with a budget of $2m, John bursts her bubble with a firm “$1.5m.” “Yorkshiremen love a bargain,” notes Jo.
The first stop is Milford for a solid 1950s brick home walking distance from the hospital.
It’s got great space, including a “walk-in wardrobe so big it’s got a different postcode to the house,” according to Jayne, but the fact it’s on a cross lease put the couple off.
Jayne pulls out all the stops, but the houses fail to strike a chord. Photo / Supplied
It’s now Jayne’s turn to venture to Beach Haven, with John holding on for dear life in the back seat, to an off-market opportunity with views and a workshop to die for.
Jayne digs deep for property number three in Rosedale, this time with “Paulykins” along for the ride. This is a winner for John and Jo and is spookily similar to their much-loved Whangarei home, but sadly, the location just isn’t quite right. Their house-hunting journey has been a positive one, though, and Jayne has helped them really zero in on what is and what isn’t important to them.
Lines of the week
Jayne describes getting a reaction out of stoic, man of few words John, as “like mixing the perfect cocktail, it takes patience, the right ingredients and just a little shake”.
After Jo and John deem property number one a “definitely maybe,” Paul says: “Very Oasis – let’s hope the next one’s not a Champagne Super Noper.”
“Ok, you’re not allowed to say Champagne Super Noper, ever again,” responds Jayne.
Fashion Watch
As he sits in front of Rangitoto – a landmark view for many North Shore homes – Paul’s blue ensemble perfectly complements the water of the Hauraki Gulf in the background.
- AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ appears on TVNZ 1 at 7.30pm on Sundays and on TVNZ+.
