Each villa comes with a space for a car. Photo: Supplied
Each villa comes with a space for a car. Photo: Supplied
Just an hour's drive north of Auckland's central business district, mere minutes from the beach, will soon be a cluster of 23 family homes - of which nine have been built specially for first home buyers.
If all goes as planned, the soon-to-be-built array of villas in Stanmore Bay should be ready for people to turn them into their forever homes by the middle of next year.
Images of the plans showed 23 houses, side-by-side; each with a car park out front and a small compact yard, for the kids to play, to host an intimate barbecue setting, or just to enjoy some quiet time in the outside air.
Each two-storey villa, is separated by a small strip of land and fence. Photo: Supplied
Inside the small lounge with large glass sliding doors open out into the backyard, that is separated by a strip of land and a small fence.
Director of Urban Economics Adam Thompson, who has been a key consultant on the project, said the free-standing nature of the villas was one of the major draw points.
"My research for the developer has shown that home buyers strongly prefer stand-alone houses over apartments and terrace houses, because they are on freehold titles with no body corporates and also a rear yard."
He said the Karepiro villas development would help provide more much-needed homes for first home buyers with a small family in a good location.
Located just an hour's drive from the city, with good access to public transportation he said it was a good option for those wanting an affordable home without having to move too far out.
In the area are a number of beaches, cafes, restaurants and shopping centres, local schools include Stanmore Bay Primary and Whangaparaoa College and Wentworth school.
Thompson said it was challenging for developers to build a new house in Auckland and sell it for affordable prices.
But he said this project showed the $650,000 price point was achievable.
"At this price it allows a big group of people to get into the market that might not otherwise be able to afford to do so."
Prices for the two-storey, three-bedroom homes start from $650,000 - the price cap for which first home buyers could be eligible for a Home Start grant of between $10,000 to $20,000.
The grant was also dependent on income and years of contribution to the KiwiSaver scheme.
Each villa will have a small lounge opening out into the backyard. Photo: supplied
Under the Home Start scheme buyers would also be allowed to have a low deposit of only 10 per cent, $65,000, on the property and to withdraw their KiwiSaver funds, as well as get a grant of $1000 to $2000.
Thompson said the grants, combined with KiwiSaver funds and some savings could mean a home at this price range, while still difficult, was "possible".
Nine of the 23 will be sold for this price, while the remainder will be sold for $670,000.
Senior sales consultant marketing the properties, Travis Standen, said in 24 hours of the development being made public there were over 400 page visits and 15 inquiries into his inbox.
