Kiwis love Location, Location, Location. The British series, hosted by Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp, has been entertaining viewers with the property woes and dreams of stressed out buyers since 2000, and while us lot over here would be hard-pressed to find places like Halstead and Bishop’s Stortford on the map, we consider ourselves experts in all things property.
Now we have our very own New Zealand version: AA Insurance Location, Location, Location NZ. It pairs local house-hunters with trusted property experts, Ray White agents Jayne Kiely and Paul Glover, who help them navigate the real estate market, as well as their own unique needs and budget, in the hope of matching them with their dream home.
Anyone who has bought and sold a home, or been closely connected to the process, can relate to the unrelenting emotional rollercoaster of the journey – the hard graft, stress and disappointment, and, if the stars align, euphoria and palpable relief at finding that box-ticking unicorn.
So as well as sympathising with the plight of our house-hunters, it’s always nice to have a squiz at how other people are living, ruminate on what compromises you’d be willing to make for your perfect pad, and of course to see what you can get for your money at the moment.
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There’s no sugarcoating it: higher interest rates have put the squeeze on buyer budgets while a near-20% drop in prices has left vendors feeling pretty sore. Those two factors add another layer of drama to the property match-making dance.
Sparkle from the Fairy Godmother
In the first episode, Jayne and Paul are on Tamaki Makaurau’s North Shore – not traditionally known for its real estate bargains – to help the Stokes whānau into their first family home and busy professional Tracy into a new abode after 18 years at her current one.
After the influx of big-budget shows spotlighting Manhattan penthouses and Beverly Hills mansions, there’s something innately comforting about seeing local landmarks and neighbourhoods on screen.
With a budget of $1 million, Adam and Jesz Stokes, along with preschooler Isla, are looking for a three-bedroom character home close to the city and that has room for guests and their hobbies. The couple’s three-year search has meant they’re now OneRoof regulars and have viewed over 50 properties so far, with no luck.
Jesz and Adam hit Paul with their property wish list. Photo / TVNZ
Unfortunately, this house doesn't fit the bill. Photo / TVNZ
It’s been a slog and “fairy godmother” Paul has his work cut out for him: Adam now has auction PTSD and Jesz has an affliction that causes her to dry retch when under stress, which doesn’t bode well for an intense house-hunt.
While the North Shore is Paul’s stomping ground, he throws a curveball and first takes the couple to a renovated Te Atatu bungalow to highlight how much further their money would stretch, should they head west. Next up is an opportunity-filled Hillcrest gem that has plenty of space for Isla to run around but felt too close to the busy road for the family.
Paul brought Jayne along for moral support and donned his lucky pink jacket to take the couple to his third and final offering – a spacious and stylish, brick and block Northcote Point property that was theoretically out of budget but had seriously motivated vendors.
Leap of faith
Water baby Tracy would love to walk to the beach, and ideally see it, from her new three to four-bedroom home, as well as enjoy privacy, parking and outdoor living. She’s got a bigger budget of $1.4m-$1.6m and could go to $1.7m for the right place, but admits that after a 15-year search, she might be the problem when it comes to taking the leap.
Tracy wanted somewhere close to the water. Photo / TVNZ
She loved this Takapuna beachside home but not enough to make the move. Photo / TVNZ
Although the location and price range were great at Jayne’s first cab off the rank, a new Mairangi Bay townhouse, it did not pass the vibe check for Tracy. The next property, an Art Deco beachside beauty, showed more promise, but it was a stylish Narrow Neck haven’s outdoor entertaining and huge garage that really piqued Tracy’s interest.
While Tracy couldn’t quite reconcile her specific requirements enough to make a move on any of Jayne’s properties, Paul was able to proudly plaster a sold sign on Adam and Jesz’s Northcote Point dream home. While the RV was $1.27m, the couple were thankfully able to overcome their respective auction concerns and secure the property for $1.05m.
Line of the week
“Am I allowed to say poop room?” – Jesz Stokes speaks for every Kiwi with her heartfelt request for that all-essential second toilet.
AA Insurance Location Location Location NZ appears on TVNZ 1 on Sundays and on TVNZ+.
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Discover more:
- Your First Home Buyer Checklist
- Your New Builds Insurance Checklist
