Simon and Angie had a two-year-old and a newborn when they bought their home in Auckland's Remuera 10 years ago. The fact that it needed no work turned out to be a huge blessing, especially when they had a third child.
“It meant we didn’t have to worry about renovating, which would have been a nightmare with young kids,” says Simon. “Everything had been so well done, and we could just enjoy living here.”
Having a fully fenced property with a flat lawn and long driveway has been great for kids to play. Once the automatic front gate swings shut, the property becomes a safe and secure sanctuary, says Simon.
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It has the added bonus of a separate studio — with bedroom and bathroom — attached to the garage. It would make great Airbnb accommodation, says Simon.
Inside, the house has two living areas, so the adults and kids can have their own spaces. There are fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms, and a huge storage space in the attic, accessed via pull-down stairs.
The four bedrooms and lounge are off the wide central hallway in the original part of the house, which dates back to around 1910.
The master bedroom has a bay window with built-in seating and an en suite. Plus there’s a family bathroom.
The lounge is where Simon and Angie tend to retreat at night once the kids are in bed. It’s a restful room, with an original pressed tin ceiling.
The informal living area at the rear is the hub of the home. An extension that was added about 13 years ago, it fits in seamlessly with the rest of the house.
The kitchen is timeless and the dining and living areas are generous. There’s an office off the living room, and there’s a laundry with a separate toilet.
In summer the bifold doors out to the covered deck stay open most of the day. Simon and Angie had plans to put a pool in the back garden but are now selling as a new opportunity has come along.
“We bought this house thinking it would be our forever home, and it has been amazing,” says Simon. “I really hope another family buys it, and enjoys it as much as we have.”
Vicki Wallace, of Bayleys, adds that the house is not only ideal for small children, but great for teenagers or uni students, thanks to the studio.
“It’s also perfectly positioned to walk to private and public schools.
“It’s such a good location — it’s just minutes to walk to Remuera shops and also convenient for the train station at Newmarket.”
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