When life dealt Liz and family a difficult hand, the solution was nearby.
Liz, husband Brian and their four children were happily settled at a larger double grammar-zoned property with more land next door when Brian died in 2016 after an illness. The family was devastated; Liz knowing they’d need to downsize as he’d been the main income earner.
Liz says: “The lovely neighbours who lived at this property used to say, ‘we really like your place’. At 2 o’clock in the morning one morning, I thought ‘I should talk to them about doing a swap’.”
They had valuations done, sold each other their properties and Liz moved to this home, which has the bonus of a proper sleepout. This floor plan was a tad smaller than next door, with less land, but was still substantial enough to be a welcoming family home.
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“It was fantastic that we didn’t have to leave this location, because it is incredibly convenient. You don’t need to worry about the cost of petrol too much when you leave the car at home so often. It’s seven minutes’ walk to Newmarket’s cafes, shops, movie theatres and Newmarket Train Station.
“You can be in the CBD in no time, which makes you feel like you live on the edge of an international city rather than tucked away in the suburbs. It’s very handy to motorways. And I actually liked the configuration of this house more, which is great for entertaining.”
Once life had stabilised somewhat, Liz embarked on the adventure of three months in Wānaka, enjoying life as “a 54-year-old ski bum”.
She loved the South Island and ended up managing a luxury lodge, happily knowing family and a few carefully selected tenants would take care of this home, which she visited often.
The unassuming villa has a sea view from the front where there are two off-street carparks, and two front bedrooms which have bay windows with window seats. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen and dining area has a conservatory-style glass roof bringing in light and warmth. Photo / Supplied
The view of the sea from the front step. Photo / Supplied
“Now I’ve decided to sell, I went through it with a fine tooth comb refreshing everything, so there’s nothing new owners have to do.”
It’s repainted inside and out, recarpeted, lawn replaced with quality artificial grass and the upper master suite’s sea-gazing balcony boasts a new in-keeping balustrading crafted by a detail-orientated builder.
Being elevated, this circa-1915 villa has a view of the sea from the front, where there are two off-street parks. Two front bedrooms have bay windows with window seats.
“Down the little hallway, everything opens up into a magnificently light-filled open-plan space.”
This is spacious enough to accommodate two living areas, the kitchen and dining area. The latter has a conservatory-style glass roof, drawing in light and warming winter sun. A family bathroom and toilet complete this level.
A side entrance’s foyer opens into the open-plan area and introduces stairs to upstairs’ ensuited master suite with walk-in wardrobe and northerly facing balcony.
The flat lawn at the back leads to a proper sleepout with an ensuite, suitable for guests, a teenager, a studio or an au pair. Photo / Supplied
The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, open-plan living, off-street parking, and a sleepout. Photo / Supplied
“I never closed the curtains because I loved waking up to the view, looking out to Rangitoto and sailboats crossing the harbour. I could have all the teenagers downstairs and be upstairs enjoying the most wonderful blessed sanctuary,” Liz says.
Living flows out easily from downstairs’ open-plan area to a ground-level deck, seamlessly transitioning into the pancake-flat backyard edged with easy-care subtropical planting. Trellis adorned with a climber lends privacy to the front deck of the sleepout’s ensuited bedroom, suitable for guests, a teen seeking some independence, a studio or an au pair.
Liz is now engaged and settled in Arrowtown, but she’ll farewell this home grateful for the part it played in her life.
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “It’s all about location with this beautifully elevated character home, just moments from Newmarket train station and Westfield.
“The self-contained sleepout is so handy for extended family and guests.”
- 15 Belmont Terrace, Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on August 12
