Stuff Digital Edition

Opportunities in twin residences

A two-for-one property opportunity has allowed Aria dry-stock farmers Peter and Caroline to enjoy their children’s New Plymouth boarding-school experiences for the past six years.

A double deal is an option again for prospective buyers as this pair of twobedroom homes at 88a and 88b Pioneer Rd comes back on to the city market.

For Peter and Caroline, the two homes were a perfect answer to their need for occasional quarters in New Plymouth.

The couple farm a little more than 130km north of New Plymouth, but look to the city as a second home.

‘‘I’ve had a very strong connection to New Plymouth all my life,’’ Peter explains. ‘‘I spent my first three months with my grandparents at Saxton Rd and I have been back and forth many times since.

‘‘I’ve always liked the city; it’s a rural city. I can raise my eyebrows to a complete stranger on the street and get a gidday back. You can’t do that in Hamilton.’’

No surprise then, that when the couple considered boarding schools for their three children, they opted to send them to New Plymouth Boys’ and Girls’ high schools.

Regular visits to keep up with the children’s school sports activities became part of their lives, but impromptu Friday night travel decisions hit a snag on several weekends when they found the city accommodation was booked out for major events.

‘‘We thought, what say we look for a property as an investment that we could also use while the kids were down here at school,’’ Peter recalls.

They envisaged a three-or-fourbedroom home that they could rent, and that also had a sleepout for their use. But they could find nothing to suit.

Finding the development at 88 Pioneer Rd, replacing an old house on a big section with two new smaller homes, was the answer to their need.

‘‘The timing was perfect. We bought them both together, rented the back one, and had the front one for ourselves and friends.’’

The couple also split the title, giving each of the homes its own title and a flexibility of sale options for the future.

The location in the city’s western suburbs appealed. ‘‘It’s a lovely area, nice and quiet. And there’s even a view of the mountain on the right day if you are looking the right way.’’

It’s an easy walk down Pioneer Rd to get on to the Coastal Walkway or enjoy a coffee or meal at the port cafes. Back up Pioneer Rd and on to South Rd, you find the schools at Spotswood and a major supermarket.

The two homes are essentially mirror images of each other, the only significant difference being the extra deck on the rear residence.

Each has open-plan living areas with a heat pump, modern kitchen and bathroom, two generous bedrooms, good insulation, double-glazed windows, a garden or storage shed, and off-street car parking. ‘‘You can just walk in and relax, and not spend your weekends tidying things up.’’

Both units have just been externally re-painted and the interiors refreshed for the sale.

Peter and Caroline have enjoyed their times here, adding visits for concerts at the Bowl of Brooklands to the school sports events. And keeping the rental unit occupied has also been easy. ‘‘We’ve never had trouble tenanting the back unit.’’

Bayleys consultant Marty Suchy suggests that combined appeal will attract plenty of interest in this double sale, with the homes available to buy together or separately. The auction will commence with one unit, and the successful bidder will have the choice of the chosen unit plus adding the second unit to their sale, should they wish.

‘‘The attraction is in the separate titles,’’ Marty says. ‘‘Buying both could get you a home and income, or space for extended family. Or, as Peter and Caroline have done, you could have a rental investment and a holiday home.’’

Homed

en-nz

2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282239488773694

Stuff Limited