KEY POINTS:
A waterfront headland in the Bay of Islands with two houses has sold after being marketed at $10.39 million.
But neither Jan Madden of Century 21 in Paihia nor Dianne Wynyard of the agency's Russell branch could say precisely what price the property, 2km from Russell, had fetched.
Both vowed it was a record and said the deal was unusual because everyone involved lived overseas.
"This is an outstanding result considering the challenges that had to be overcome dealing with vendor and purchaser who were both overseas at the time," Jan Madden said. A New Zealander bought the property at Matauwhi Bay, she said.
Dianne Wynyard said the 4ha property with a 10,000sq m house had nine bathrooms, its own private beach and a manager's house. The property was in the next bay past Russell.
Not all Bay of Islands properties are proving as easy to sell. Bayleys has been marketing part of Roberton Island for weeks despite the place going as a mortgagee sale.
Sections are being sold at the exclusive Mataka Station, multimillionaire Bill Birnie's subdivision of coastal property on an historic headland north of Paihia.
Sources said David Gaze, a Kiwi developer now living in Europe, sold his Omata Estate luxury lodge and vineyard last year for $10 million.
Peter Cooper, of Cooper & Company, is also selling land at his 400ha subdivision slightly south at Mountain Landing and some of the best beachfront sections were expected earlier this year to fetch about $10 million.
COSTLY SITES
* Mark Hotchin is building a $30 million Auckland house.
* Cowes Bay Estate, Waiheke Island, is for sale at $33 million.
* Pakatoa Island has been for sale for years at $35 million.
