“A slice of paradise” is what Ken and Jane Buttery believe they found in this picturesque Kerikeri spread where their home, which enjoys soothing inlet and forest views, has been bolstered by considerable additional steady income at 306A and B Kerikeri Inlet Road.
Their three-bedroom main home with swimming pool at 306B accompanies a separate one-bedroom unit reaping record short-term holiday let turnover recently, while neighbouring 306A’s three two-bedroom apartments generate about $49,000 a year from residential tenants.
These Mediterranean-inspired buildings solidly built of stucco over concrete block are on two separate titles totalling up to 9494sqm of land but are being sold together in one auction.
“We were delighted to find this whole property when we were getting tired of the hustle and bustle in Auckland because it’s just such a pretty spot with the back-up of additional income,” Jane says.
Start your property search
Ken adds, “We’re just five kilometres from Kerikeri township yet it’s so tranquil and relaxing here with the garden, pool and land and the constantly changing views over the Kerikeri inlet.
“From the main road you can’t see any of the house or any of the units so we’re lovely and private.
“And our house is quite separated from the units, which are rented out to reliable residential tenants who been here between seven and 11 years.”
The interesting set-up stems from having been originally built as a motel in the late 1970s, with a resource consent later changing the use of the ‘travellers’ accommodation’ to residential units.
The couple have heard about the history of the property they bought in 2013, as the sisters who ran it for decades are now their neighbours.
An interesting feature is a 10-metre-high windmill which pumps water for their pool and for irrigating the gardens which Jane has evolved, incorporating existing mature palms.
Hence ‘The Windmill’ is what they named their one-bedroom short-term accommodation, which generated glowing reviews and a record $20,000 in 2020.
“The units and our house get wonderful sun. Our home is great for entertaining, inside and out, with its big deck, BBQ area and concrete inground swimming pool,” Ken says.
Considerable craftmanship has gone into the three-bedroom home, showcased in macrocarpa-sarked ceilings and matai flooring. It centres on a living-dining-kitchen providing separation between the master suite and two other bedrooms with a second bathroom.
The one-bedroom ensuited unit with kitchenette nearby opens to patios. Each of the tenanted units has a kitchen, living, two bedrooms and a bathroom, plus a single garage.
Ken and Jane relish the lifestyle here, taking local walks and Ken often cycling or kayaking.
Their adult children have loved being able to gravitate here, kids, friends, dogs and tents in tow, for sun-drenched Christmas holidays.
The couple are wistful about moving on but say it’s wise to downsize given their ages.
Bayleys agent David Baguley, who is marketing the property, says, “This relaxing property looking over the Waitangi Forest and the Kerikeri inlet offers its next owners a great lifestyle, earning income from the flats, with the additional option of running Airbnb-type accommodation from the one-bedroom set-up.”
306A and B Kerikeri Inlet Road in Kerikeri will be sold at auction on June 23.
