Episode three of AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ could be dubbed the ex-pat special.
Three of the four house-hunters Jayne Kiely and Paul Glover helped this week are from America. All three love New Zealand, and all three, plus the Kiwi, wanted a house in Auckland’s Grey Lynn. But with prices in the hip inner-west suburb sitting around the $2.4m mark - way above our buyers' budgets - our intrepid hosts had to stretch the definition of inner-city living.
Start your property search
“This is champagne real estate right here, Jayne”, warns Paul. “Except mine are on a Prosecco budget,” admits Jayne.
They both admit the C-word – compromise – is going to come up a lot.
The pair have dressed for the hipster neighbourhoods, Paul swapping out his pastel jackets for a three-piece suit (no tie, obvs, it’s Grey Lynn) and Jayne donning the obligatory fashionista favourite, black, so they’re off to a good start.
The power of the ring
Our first couple are Americans Joel’ (yes, the cool spelling matches her colourful personality) and Daniel. She’s from Houston, Texas, which she helpfully describes as “just one Marguerita away from a yee haw”, he’s a big fan of the University of Austin, and gave the hosts a flash of his "Hook 'em Horns" salute.
Discover more:
- AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ, episode two recap
- AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ, episode one recap
- NZ’s answer to Phil Spencer: My top tips for buying a house
It was Daniel’s love of The Lord of the Rings that brought the couple to New Zealand – he has "one ring to rule them all" tattooed on his arm to prove it – and now that they’re residents they’re ready to buy. He’d be happy in a Hobbit house or a new-build, while she had a hankering for a character home. However, they were in agreement on the following: their new home had to have a decent kitchen (Daniel loves cooking), closet space for Joel’'s colourful collection of shoes, and two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one set for them
and one set for a flatmate, who'll help with the mortgage. And they didn't want to pay any more than $785,000.
No fixer-uppers, please
First-home buyers Nikhil and Lauren are a stange mix of accents. Lauren, our third American, laughs she has an enticing accent that blends her native Tennessee lilt with Glaswegian (thanks, flatmates) and a bit of Nikhil’s Kiwi.
Nikhil and Lauren don't want a do-up, so what has Paul found for them? Photo / Supplied
They’re hoping their $1.4m budget will stretch to three bedrooms and two bathrooms for their frequent overseas visitors, and a garage for all their outdoor gear. They are adamant they are not renovation people, so do-ups are a no-no.
The hunt is on
Jayne is tasked with finding a home for Joel’ and Daniel. She wisely ignores Paul’s helpful suggestion of a mid-century Hobbit hole and steers the couple to neighbouring Mount Albert, where she shows them a newly built apartment. They aren't fans, though. While big pantry gets a tick, the couple feel the bedrooms are too small. What gets their attention are the plans Jayne shows them for the bigger terrace houses next door. Their firm-ish yes is a good start.
Further out to Ellerslie for stop number two. The couple are initially all in for the classic brick and tile granny flat Jayne shows them – these solid little places qualify as 1960s mid-century - but Daniel hesitates at the small kitchen and Joel’ can’t see enough room for her shoes, so with a price at the top of their budget, that’s an easy no.
Jayne gets Joel’ and Daniel excited with her plans for new terrace housing. Photo / Supplied
Jayne brings Paul along for the final stop, another mid-1960s brick and tile in inner west Avondale with a stunning surprise: it’s on the water. However, despite raves of “paradise” and “phenomenal”, and a vendor that could have accepted a price at the bottom of their budget, they pass.
But – yay. Weeks later they’re proudly standing in the rain outside another brick and tile unit in Blockhouse Bay bearing a sold sticker. Their first Kiwi home has a very stylish renovation, a price of $835,000, and a place, at last, for Joel’’s shoes.
Mr No v Ms Yes
Nikhil and Lauren have looking almost a year but you can see the experience has taken a toll. He keeps saying no and she is a dreamer who likes to say yes. Luckily, Paul is there to prevent any battles between the pair.
His first find is in Mount Roskill, and it sets a pretty high bar. It's a smartly renovated cottage with great landscaping, a garage for the gear and even a hot-tub. It's under budget, but the cross-lease is an turn-off. So it’s off to One Tree Hill to a “cute as a button” renovated ex-statey. It’s missing the extra bedroom and bathroom the couple were looking for, but, lo! Another hot tub. With an auction coming up and a guide price at the top of their budget they may not be up for the extra projects it needs.
Paul tries to get Nikhil and Lauren to compromise. Photo / Supplied
So what else can Paul do, but show these anti-renovators a complete do-up?
Luckily he’s got Jayne as his wingman to show the couple through a villa in Onehunga that’s got great bones, even a picket fence, (a real “cutie patooty” says Jayne) but looks like it hasn’t been touched since the 1980s and is asking at the top of their budget.
Yup, Nikhil and Lauren fall in love. But naive they are not, as they put in a bold offer of $1.15m. Lucky Paul’s wearing his lucky pink jacket.
Despite their “what just happened?” moment, the Onehunga deal didn’t go ahead. But guess what? The anti-renovators have now focused their search and are even considering taking on a reno.
Line of the week:
"I've got yer ketchup and mustard." Paul moseys on out of the hot dog store and gives his best American accent. Jayne isn't convinced.
Fashion watch:
Jayne's the star this week. Her maroon jacket and matching leather pants with black boots leave Paul's blazers in the dust.
