There is a lot of property for sale right now, but which listing suits you best? OneRoof’s Buyers' Club series brings you the best in New Zealand real estate, from affordable starter homes to luxury mansions. We’ll highlight a range of homes from around the country that are worth your attention.
Located on the banks of the mighty Waikato River, Hamilton is New Zealand’s fastest-growing city, thanks to good job opportunities, strong internal migration, and, crucially, when it comes to getting on the property ladder, affordability. OneRoof's house price figures for June peg Hamilton's average property value at $798,000 - almost half a million dollars cheaper than Auckland's.
Lodge Real Estate agent Megan Smith raves about the Tron, as the city is affectionately known. “We’ve got so much happening - the new Hamilton theatre and Hamilton hotel, the Ruakura inland port and hub, the medical school opening at the university, and probably New Zealand’s premier master-planned waterfront development, Te Awa Lakes," she tells OneRoof.
“That will be home to 1500-plus new homes over the next five years, and it’s about living a life outside, which is pretty special.”
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For OneRoof buyers' club, we’ve rounded up three Hamilton properties that can be snapped up for under $1 million.
87 Pembroke Street, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton | Price $820,000
With a sought-after lakeside location, this two-bedroom home has a price tag of $820,000.
Listing agent Megan Smith says it comes with multiple options. “Upstairs has been entirely refurbished and renovated. The back has city views, and then you’ve got a glimpse of the lake through the front," she says.
“The downstairs has plumbing, plenty of space, a separate access and hasn’t been renovated, so that has potential to be turned into a second, self-contained living option."
A two-bedroom home for sale at 87 Pembroke Street, Hamilton Lake, is attracting a lot of buyer interest, says listing agent Megan Smith. Photo / Supplied
She adds: “There are Airbnbs here that do very well because you’re in walking distance to the lake, hospital and CBD. Homes here also rent extremely well because next door is one of the Waikato’s biggest employers, the DHB, which often has doctors new to New Zealand or the city who are looking for top-quality rental accommodation within walking distance to work.
“We’ve had a lot of interest in 87 Pembroke Street for that reason.”
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2B Roach Street, Maeroa, Hamilton | Price by negotiation
Tucked away in a tranquil Maeroa cul-de-sac is another two-bedroom, this time with a swimming pool and an RV of $670,000. Brimming with 1970s character, the home has been stylishly modernised over time and double-glazed for comfort. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas have a high ceiling with classic exposed beams.
This two-bedroom home at 2B Roach Street has an RV of $670,000 and a swimming pool. Photo / Supplied
In her listing on OneRoof, Melissa Wilton from Lugtons writes that the location is a huge drawcard. “Waikato Stadium and Maeroa Intermediate School are within easy walking distance, and Lunchbar Eighty8, famous for its pies, is just 300 metres away.”
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64 Berkley Avenue, Hillcrest, Hamilton | Price $879,000
Schooling is a key feature of this Hillcrest home, which is in zone for the well-regarded Hillcrest Normal School, Berkley Middle School and Hillcrest High School. And for older kids, it’s also handy to the University of Waikato.
The three-bedroom home has reaped the rewards of a beautifully zen renovation, with pops of “millennial green” for a biophilic look and feel. The home has also been enhanced for comfort and is partially double-glazed and equipped with an electric fire, Smartvent system and two heat pumps.
Upgraded and in zone for good schools is 64 Berkley Avenue. Photo / Supplied
Harcourts listing agent Beau Edgecombe says the vendors have already bought.
“They are really motivated to get it sold as they’ve bought a house down in Nelson. They bought it and did it all up as their forever home, but then fell in love with a lifestyle block down in Nelson. So now they’re on a timeline to sell this.”
“They’ve done a really good job on it. Ripped everything out and put brand new everything in.”
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