Ron and Jennifer Burgess were toying with the idea of downsizing to an easier property, even before they moved to Sydney in 2010. They’d lived in Coatesville for 15 years when Ron was approached by a tyre company to sell his building and business and head to Australia to fit out 65 outlets. There, they experienced an apartment lifestyle.
So, when they returned to New Zealand they put their home on the market and began searching for something smaller. One weekend, they visited the Hobsonville market and decided to go through the Willis Bond showhome.
Says Jennifer: “Ron liked the high ceilings, great design and the quality finishes. He said, ‘I could live in something like this’. We loved the feeling, still do.”
Ron says: “They have a six Homestar rating which is right at the top. I liked the 2.7 metre ceiling. We almost bought the showhome on the spot.”
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However, a corner home was for sale and it appealed because the property was bigger with views over the water and it got the sun from the east, north and west.
“One of the other advantages of this house is that it overlooks the old one-level air force houses next door.”
Before they moved in, Willis Bond offered them an upgrade fitout that included many extras they liked from the showhome. They took the lot and added many more of their own.
There are $45,000 worth of quality curtains and solar blinds in their home, along with plush carpets upstairs.
They added solid timber vertical slats to separate the living area from the kitchen/dining and installed Bosch and Fisher & Paykel appliances.
A flush wall of touch-to-open cupboards provides practical storage in the double garage.
In the master bedroom upstairs, Ron customised the walk-in robe with chic cabinetry that gives loads of space for Jennifer’s shoe collection.
Another option they chose was the ability to collect rainwater from the roof in a tank that is used for toilets and the garden — making considerable savings on water use.
The home has great flow outdoors with glass sliders that open across the whole living area to a covered patio and garden where Ron has created raised beds all along the boundary.
Spring bulbs create a pretty backdrop and an impressive range of vegetables will inspire the cook who buys this home.
The amount of space everywhere is surprising. Even the upstairs landing is generous.
Jennifer and Ron use the second living room downstairs as an office, while one of four big bedrooms above became another sitting area.
All the rooms are large with good storage. “It’s definitely a family home,” says Ron.
“And there is really nothing left to do, I’ve done everything.
“And I’m ready to go out to our house in Piha and do it all again.”
They have loved living in Hobsonville. “You feel as if you’re part of a special community; you belong.
“There are young families and older couples with lots of dogs. You can walk around the waterfront and out to Catalina Bay,” says Jennifer.
“But we still miss the birdsong that goes with living in the country.”
So, 12 months after they moved in and 27 homes later, these active retirees are off on their next renovation adventure.
15 COCHRANE RD, HOBSONVILLE PT, AUCKLAND
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2* garaging
SIZE (more or less): Land 336sq m, House 257sq m.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12.30-1.30pm.
AUCTION: On site, Sun 7 Oct at 12pm.
SCHOOLS: Hobsonville Point Primary School, Hobsonville Point Secondary School.
CONTACT: Philippa Edgar, Harcourts, 027 471 5297, Geoff Polglase, 027 487 4663.
