This week AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ hosts Jayne Kiely and Paul Glover are heading back to basics, as they to find homes for the classic "Core Four" buyer group – Mum, Dad and two kids.
This time it's personal
Paul is working his own stomping ground of Beach Haven, in Auckland's North Shore, helping the Niu whanau find a bigger home. Dad Charles admits he wasn't that sold on the North Shore at first - he doesn't like the traffic jams or the fact it's "full of Poms" - but his English wife Ruth dragged him kicking and screaming over the bridge 16 years ago. He happily chomps on his words as he admits he now loves the beachside lifestyle. “Moral of the story is, wife is always right,” notes Ruth.
Now the kids are getting bigger, they all need more space inside and out (and from each other) but want to stay local. A garden is crucial for the couple’s outdoor relaxation pursuits - doing the lawns and barbequing for Charles and having a vino in the spa for Ruth. Charles would also love a driveway that doesn’t resemble a sheer cliff face, like the one they have now.
Start your property search
The Niu family - Charles, Ruth, Zara and Josh - want a bigger version of their current home. Photo / Supplied
As Ruth points out, house-hunting is often a stressful, fulltime gig so they’re grateful for Paul’s help and he has a vested interest, as their kids all play rugby together (brace yourselves for the deluge of sporting metaphors). At the time of filming, Niu house is about to be auctioned so time is of the essence. They’re after a four-bedroom home with space for long-term in-law visits and are working with a budget of $1.4m.
Boks of tricks
Bettie and Andre Collen and sons Juandre and Kieran moved to Tamaki Makaurau from rural South Africa two years ago and despite requesting to live "anywhere but Auckland" on their application, they were plonked smack bang in the middle.
They’re keen to put down roots and are led by their boys’ love of Aotearoa, with their youngest pledging his allegiance in the deepest way possible – supporting the All Blacks in last year’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa.
The Collen family are looking for space to grow as a family and are working with a budget of $950,000-$1 million. Photo / Supplied
They are looking for a modern build with space for the boys and outdoor area for Andre to have a braai and a brandy. Bettie tells Jayne she would love a walk-in wardrobe, which Andre helpfully points out still won’t be big enough. After one too many barbs about her spending and shopping, Bettie says she may also require a new husband with the house. Andre is comfortable with spending $950,000 for a four-bedroom home, but Bettie’s keen to push to $1m, for the right place.
Throw out the budget
Jayne’s first offering is a renovated Te Atatu bungalow, which is heading to auction. With budget overlord Andre off working and out of the picture for this trip, budding agents Juandre and Kieran step in to do Jayne’s job for her and point out the house's best features, and in true "Core Four" form, argue who over who’ll get which bedroom. The location and privacy get a rousing tick from the team.
Next up, is a two-year old townhouse in Te Atatu. While the boys eye up the second living room as a gaming room and note that there’s room for their auntie to come and stay, Bettie is not convinced.
This renovated Te Atatu bungalow is Bettie's favourite but does the rest of the family agree? Photo / Supplied
Paul steps in for Andre to join the crew for the final offering - a brand-new West Harbour townhouse with clever storage solutions, a great views and an area for Bettie to watch her "romantic movies", according to the boys. Andre reports he was bombarded with positive feedback later that day, but Bettie’s heart is set on property number one.
Unfortunately, Andre didn’t agree and at the end of the episode we learn they are still on the open home circuit but still positive about where they might land.
Pressure on Paul
The unexpected pool and spa complex (and the flat driveway) at Paul’s first property draws an impressed expletive from Charles. The couple love the renovated Birkenhead home and agree it’s like a larger version of what they have now, which is really what they’re after. But they are concerned the house lacks a garage and indoor-outdoor flow.
Paul then shows them a tranquil, tropical hideaway tucked down driveway on arguably the North Shore’s busiest roads. The Nius are gobsmacked. The house hums with "big deck energy" and there is huge amount of outdoor entertaining space, a stunning garden and a seriously large and flexible floorplan. The proportions, however, prove a little too overwhelming for them.
Host Paul Glover tries to fire up Charles and Ruth's enthusiasm. Photo / Supplied
Lastly, it’s to Beach Haven, for a 70s home with extraordinary views. It ticks every box for the family, but an imminent auction puts them on the back foot and they give it a miss.
They’ll keep Paul on though and are incredibly grateful for the assistance. He’s pleased to report that a few weeks later the that the Niu whanau sold their place and Paul was able to help them find a Beach Haven stunner just in time for summer.
Fashion watch:
Jayne and Ruth both don stripes for property number three and pay inadvertent homage to the 70s build’s vertical cedar slats.
Lines of the week:
Ruth’s loaded ultimatum for Paul is a cracker - “We don’t want to be homeless, but other than that don’t worry” - but so is Paul's sale pitch: “You’re going to be in debt to the bank for the rest of your life, why not do it in style?”
AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ appears on TVNZ 1 at 7.30pm on Sundays and on TVNZ+.
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Catch-up on previous episodes:
- Episode six recap - view to a thrill
- Episode five recap - deals on wheels
- Episode four recap - OneWoof anyone?
- Episode three recap - living the American dream
- Episode two recap - quick, there's a baby on the way
- Episode one recap - we've found a poop room
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Discover more:
- Your Home & Contents Insurance Checklist
- Your Home & Income Insurance Checklist
- Your Natural Hazards Insurance Checklist
