If you’re looking to buy a property in Omaha - identified in OneRoof's latest Property Report as one of Auckland's hottest suburbs - the big question is not “what kind of house”, but “at which end?”
Bayleys real estate agent Paul Elsden who is selling the property at 32 Dungarvon Place by tender closing April 8 says around 80 per cent of potential buyers have a strong preference for one end or the other. And, he emphasises, neither one is better — they’re just different.
That said, he describes the property at 32 Dungarvon Pl he’s selling for Ron and Barbara Mahon at the northern end as “arguably one of the best, elevated beachfront positions in Omaha”. And Ron and Barbara agree, especially with the description ‘‘elevated’’.
“Our house sits a bit higher than the rest, and that’s turned out to be a real bonus because the sand dunes have grown since the groynes went in, and we’re still above them,” Ron says.
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He and Barbara have had a place at Omaha for the past 35 years and bought their present home 18 years ago. They didn’t have to make the decision about north end or south end back then, because there was no south end in those days.
So it was without a doubt the house itself that attracted them. It wasn’t on the market when they first noticed it being built, but they liked it so much they pestered the Australian owner to sell it to them until he eventually relented.
That they loved the views goes without saying — there’s no walkway between the house and the shore and they have both privacy and uninterrupted 180-degree water views from the Whangateau Harbour inlet to the far southern end of Omaha Beach taking in Ti Point, the Barrier Islands, the Coromandel and the coastline of the Tawharanui Peninsula.
In terms of the house, they were attracted to the design, the materials and the high-end spec that included matai floors, Alti aluminium/timber joinery, hardwood kitchen benches and many decorative and practical timber features.
The one level, architect-designed house covers around 262sq m. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is spectacular, with huge bifold doors and windows and french doors opening it up to the outdoor living spaces. There are covered decks on the east and the west so eating and entertaining outside is possible in virtually all weather.
The spacious master bedroom with en suite and walk-in wardrobe opens to the deck and takes in water views, while the main guest bedroom also has an en suite. The two remaining large bedrooms share a third bathroom with an elegant free-standing bath.
All the spaces have a smart, contemporary vibe and it’s hard to believe the house was built 18 years ago.
Ron and Barbara are aware they will never replicate the attractions of this property. But with children and grandchildren in Hawke’s Bay their plan is to downsize at Omaha to a smaller property in the area, and buy a second property in Havelock North.
So far, they haven’t been stalking the owners of homes they like and pestering them to sell, but Ron admits they have been “looking at a few places”.
Check out the listing below:
