Builders’ own properties are always amongst the best and Carolynn says that her late husband Peter put a great deal of love and care into creating the couple’s family home in the mid-1970s.
“He was a traditional old-school builder who believed in doing everything correctly. It’s been solidly constructed in block and timber with an iron long-run roof.”
The north-facing home is the highlight of a gently elevated 10-acre estate, one of the last large landholdings in this popular spot by the picturesque Okura River.
Still retaining all of its mid-century charm, the house has a cosy country kitchen with combined dining at its heart and a generous living room adjacent.
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Also on the main level are three bedrooms, including the master, a giant family bathroom as well as a separate laundry, toilet and a sunroom that’s ideal for a morning coffee and reading a book.
Carolynn loves the colours of nature that are incorporated in her décor and says that guests always comment on the serene and restful atmosphere.
“I like that it isn’t all monochrome and every room is a little different,” she says.
Upstairs is a sizeable attic and a flexi-room, which is perfect as a home office or for when you have guests. Next to the house is a double garage and a huge complex of sheds that offer a myriad of possibilities – quite apart from simple storage.
The north-facing home is the highlight of a gently elevated 10-acre estate, one of the last large landholdings in this popular spot by the picturesque Okura River.
The nearby estuary, which is popular with kayakers, is visible from the deck.
As a keen gardener, Carolynn developed the grounds from scratch and has previously had big vegetable gardens although with advancing age she’s moved to raising salad greens, herbs and strawberries in raised beds.
She is thrilled that her beloved roses are bursting into bloom just in time for the sale of the home and she hopes fervently that another family will fall in love with it.
97 Haigh Access Road in Redvale, Rodney, Auckland, is on the market for sale by a set date closing October 31. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $2.65 million.
“When our children were young, we had a horse and sheep – then I discovered goats, and they became my passion. We had a ‘don’t eat family’ philosophy and kept our animals purely for fun.”
She remembers rowing on the nearby estuary (which is also popular with kayakers) with the children and says that there was always plenty to keep them busy.
Still retaining all of its mid-century charm, the house has a cosy country kitchen with combined dining at its heart and a generous living room adjacent.
The 135sqm house has three bedrooms, one bathroom with garaging for three vehicles plus plenty of off-street parking.
It’s a lovely friendly neighbourhood too, she adds. “People go out and walk their dogs in the evening and always stop to chat. We used to organise an annual Christmas get together, and everybody would bring something.”
Carolynn is going to miss the river, the native bush and most particularly, the birdlife, which includes kereru and tui. “It’s a magical spot and it was really nice to see a little five-year-old visitor running around and enjoying it all, last week!”
Ryan Dixon, Olivia Field and Alex Smith, from Ray White, say: “For the first time in 47 years, this charming farm-style home on Haigh Access Road is available, offering sweeping views of the Okura River. Zoned rural-countryside living, it strikes the perfect balance between a peaceful retreat and easy access to Albany’s shopping precincts and East Coast Bays.”
- Sponsored by Ray White
