When a family moved nearly 20 years ago to this character farmhouse in park-like grounds they had little idea it could benefit from being in a burgeoning development corridor in the future.
The 1.0045ha lifestyle property’s farmhouse is set well back from the main road but developers and land-bankers may be more interested in its address, given large-scale residential projects are underway nearby.
Danny, who owns this home with wife Glynis, says: “When our kids were about 10 years old we thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice for them to grow up somewhere with a bit of land’. I grew up in Tasmania and I remember loving going to my grandparents’ apple orchard.”
The family’s move to live rurally started with a property in Waiuku. But after about 18 months they decided that was a step too far for Glynis’ commute to her job in Ponsonby and they wanted to move a little further in.
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When they dropped their young daughter off to visit a schoolmate they discovered the girl’s mother was a real estate agent, who subsequently arranged to show them a selection of properties.
Danny says: “We came to see this one first, and as soon as we come in the tree-lined driveway, I knew this was it. It just felt so peaceful and tranquil with the land – plenty of land for the kids to run around on – the farmhouse and all the beautiful trees. It’s like an oasis.”
He thinks the 1980s-built home’s board-and-batten macrocarpa exterior, aluminium windows and doors and Colorsteel roof would involve significantly less maintenance than older character homes.
A red front door with leadlights sets the hospitable tone for the warm and welcoming interior. It’s a spacious home, particularly so after they extended upstairs’ layout above the internal-access double garage when they replaced that. There’s also a double carport.
The living-dining-renovated kitchen and the separate family room flow out to north-facing decks. Photo / Supplied
The farmhouse on the 1.0045ha lifestyle property is set well back from the main road. Photo / Supplied
“When my son moved out of here into a flat in the city his entire flat was about the size of his bedroom here.”
Both the living-dining-renovated kitchen and the separate family room flow out to north-facing decks. A bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, separate powder room and storage area complete the lower level.
There are two staircases to upstairs. There you’ll find another three bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes, an ensuite, a bathroom, an office and two good-sized balconies revelling in the lush outlook.
When Danny’s brother and mate come over for their band’s practice they head out to a freestanding storage room where Danny can let rip on the bass guitar.
The home is spacious with multiple living zones, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Photo / Supplied
The vendors have called this place home for the last 20 years. Photo / Supplied
Mature trees include many natives and a domestic orchard, producing feijoa, various citrus, apples, peaches, apricots, plums, olives, macadamia nuts, persimmon, quince, nashi pears and the guavas Danny makes jam from. The grounds benefit from the fact the property has access to a reliable deep water bore.
Karaka Rugby Club, Karaka Recreational Reserve and the community hub of Karaka War Memorial Hall are directly across the road. Off-peak, motorway access and Papakura Train Station are about seven and 10 minutes away respectively and AGC Strathallan, St Ignacius College and Karaka School are nearby.
The couple adore this property but given that Danny has retired and Glynis will one day do the same, they feel now’s the time to future-proof themselves by moving to another property they’re keen on.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Cherry Cooper says: “Karaka is changing and moving ahead with large-scale developments. This large property on the main road in Karaka is not only a beautiful place to enjoy but an exceptional opportunity for developers, land-bankers or visionary entrepreneurs.”
- 306 Linwood Road, Karaka, Franklin, is for sale by auction on September 17
