Waterfront helps, cliff top is even better. When it comes to New Zealand’s top selling homes, the big bucks are in the best views.
Since November last year, the five most expensive homes in the country’s biggest property market raked in more than $65 million, the latest OneRoof and Valocity figures show.
Auckland’s top sale was a spread on the cliffs above St Heliers, where agents Graham Wall and his son Ollie got $17.6 million in November last year. The Italianate-style house at 45 Cliff Road was built in 1999 but the new owners have already called in their architects to bring them up to speed on the three-level house and gatehouse.
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45 Cliff Road was sold by Graham Wall Real Estate. Photo / Supplied
The 1051sq m home – bigger than most Auckland sections – sits on 1800sq m of land, and includes a 22 m indoor pool, steam room, home cinema, library, wine room and garaging for six cars. Befitting its Italian inspiration, the loggia includes a built-in pizza oven.
Also in November, Bayleys agent Edward Pack recorded Auckland’s second highest sale of $12 million for a stylishly renovated three-level villa on the water in Herne Bay’s 13 Marine Parade. Naturally there’s a lap pool and spa, a tiered media room and award-winning kitchen in the 518sq m mansion on 1030sq m.
13 Marine Parade, Herne Bay, Auckland, sold for $12,000,000. Photo / Supplied
But neither come close to last year’s record sale: 15 Cremorne Street, in Herne Bay, sold for $27.5 million in March 2018. It was bought by Paula and Simon Herbert who’d sold their Remuera Road property for $25.5 million the previous November.
OneRoof editor Owen Vaughan says the top end of the market as a whole was much more confident 12-18 months ago, before the overseas buyer ban had come into effect and capital gains tax was being floated. “When you look at the figures for Auckland, it’s the sub-$1 million stock that’s shifting, because that’s where the buyers are.”
Valocity director of valuation James Wilson adds: “There’s a smaller pool of buyers right now for high-end homes. That said, in 2018, nearly 40 per cent of Remuera sales, 38 per cent of Epsom and 36 percent of St Heliers sales were over $2 million.”
Third place was a “bach” at 74 Korora Road, Oneroa, on Waiheke Island. Waiheke Real Estate agent Warren Eade got $9 million for the stunning modern home that sits on 1.77ha and overlooks Owhanake Bay. The property came with separate guest accommodation and will be the summer getaway for ex-pat Kiwis.
74 Korora Road, Oneroa, Auckland, sold for $9,000,000. Photo / Supplied
A European-style home at 286 Hurstmere Road, in Takapuna, came in fourth, achieving a sale price of $7.5 million. The house, built 23 years ago by Lochore’s Real Estate head Paul Lochore and his wife Jean, and sold by the agency’s Chris Gemmell in April, had a decorating overhaul in 2010 and overlooks Lake Pupuke.
33 Taumata Road, Omaha, Auckland, sold for $6,500,000. Photo / Supplied
Rounding out the top five is a spectacular concrete and copper house by Pacific Environments architects on the beach at 33 Taumata Road, Omaha. The studio’s projects include resorts in Sabah and Fiji, so the house has plenty of open plan connections between indoors and out, state of the art electronics and a designer kitchen. Di Balich, of Precision Realty, said there was strong interest during the six week sales period, and the property sold for $6.5 million in early March.
33 Taumata Road, Omaha, Auckland, sold for $6,500,000. Photo / Supplied
But the top end is hard work: only four other properties – 334a Victoria Avenue, Remuera; 14 Arawa Avenue, Devonport; 18 Tohunga Crescent, Parnell; and 52 Owens Road, Epsom – sold for over $5 million.
A likely top-five winner for the next half year is 112 Benson Road, Remuera, which Harcourts agent Richard White sold for a confidential price (but over its CV of $10,500,000). White, whose bespoke search mostly works off-market, expects the new owners to update house and garden.
112 Benson Road, Remuera, Auckland sold for more than its $10 million CV. Photo / Ted Baghurst
View Property Valuations here.
