- Agent Sandra Bullock is selling a home named after her namesake’s film, The Lake House.

- The property backs onto a large lake, and is a rarity in the Karaka area.

- The vendors, Gill and Graeme, are downsizing but hope the new owner will cherish the home.

Kiwi real estate agent Sandra Bullock is following in the footsteps of her celebrity namesake. The owner of Ray White Papakura is listing a Karaka home that shares the same name as one of Hollywood Bullock’s hit films, the 2006 weepie The Lake House.

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Bullock said getting the listing had nothing to do with her name but it was a “very happy coincidence” she had found her very own lake house to sell.

When she saw the property her mind immediately jumped to the fantasy romance movie, which also stars Keanu Reeves and centres around a lakeside home that brings two lonely hearts together across time.

68 Manuwai Lane, in Karaka, Auckland, backs onto a large lake and goes to auction at the end of January. Photo / Supplied

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves at a publicity event for their 2006 movie The Lake House. Photo / Getty Images

She told OneRoof that the large lake was a key feature of the property, and it was rare to find a house backing onto one in the area.

“How many people have a lake in their backyard?” she said. “To have a lake in your backyard is a major drawcard, giving a tranquil backdrop and a peaceful retreat vibe.”

The property is one of half a dozen backing onto the council-owned lake. It also has one of the largest lake frontages.

The vendors, Gill and Graeme, told OneRoof it was love at first sight when they came across the house in 2018. “It was pouring with rain. We wore gumboots and raincoats. So that was the Sunday and we bought it at auction on the Wednesday,” Gill said.

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They had always been drawn to properties with an outlook so the view of Manuwai Lane Scenic Reserve and the tranquil setting ticked all their boxes. “It’s really nice to be able to sit on the terrace and see who [wildlife] has come in today.”

Gill said they were downsizing and hoped a new owner would cherish the property as much as they had.

Bullock said it would be an amazing playground for families.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home is situated down a private tree-lined driveway, while the Fijian hardwood panels give it a rustic feel.

68 Manuwai Lane, in Karaka, Auckland, backs onto a large lake and goes to auction at the end of January. Photo / Supplied

The vendors fell in love with the setting when they bought it in 2018. Photo / Supplied

68 Manuwai Lane, in Karaka, Auckland, backs onto a large lake and goes to auction at the end of January. Photo / Supplied

Sandra Bullock isn't the only agent in the Ray White network who shares their name with a celebrity. Photo / Supplied

“They have remained here for eight years and not long ago modernised it with a renovation, leaving nothing left to do for the new owner but move in and enjoy.”

It is not the first time Bullock has had a listing tying her to her celebrity namesake. In 2022, she sold a house for a vendor who shared the same name (almost) as the English comedian Graham Norton (her Norton’s first name was spelt Graeme).

Bullock told OneRoof it was the first time she had met a vendor with a celebrity name, although she revealed she had repeatedly turned down requests from Skinny mobile to star in its Famous Names advertising campaign.

Bullock is not the only Ray White agent who shares a name with someone famous.

Pamela Anderson is a property manager at Ray White Dunedin, Charlie Brown is an agent at Ray White Wellington and Chris Cairns – not the cricketer – works for Ray White Auckland Central.

Across the ditch, Bradley Cooper is a sales manager and auctioneer for Ray White Balwyn, Jesse James is an agent at Ray White Redland Bay and Tom Jones works for Ray White WA Commercial.

Ray White New Zealand head of marketing Larissa Tuhaka said: “While I am not sure if having the same name as someone famous helps you sell houses, it certainly does help catch people’s eye. Having a famous name can also make agents easier to remember, and can provide an easy conversation starter.

“Overall, I think there are definitely some benefits to having a celebrity name in this business. That said, many of our members’ reputations ensure they are famous in their local area.”

- 68 Manuwai Drive, in Karaka, Auckland, goes to auction on January 28