Renovated tram just the ticket

By ELIZABETH BINNING

Pukekohe couple Dennis and Alison Thomas dreamed of having a Coromandel bach they could escape to at the weekends, but knew they would never be able to afford it.

So instead of giving up on the idea of a holiday home they found a cheap way round an expensive problem.

Now, nearly two years on, the couple have achieved the Kiwi dream - they own a unique bach and a strip of bush-clad land, just north of Thames, all of which has cost them around $100,000.

Instead of buying a section with a house on it, which would have cost at least $250,000 on that side of the coast, the Thomases bought a 1920s Farmers free tram and did it up.

This year, with their renovated tram-turned-bach nearly complete, they went in search of the perfect location.

"Obviously we needed somewhere to put it and living in Pukekohe we wanted it, like everyone else, to be within an hour of home," said Mr Thomas. "I always liked the Thames area and so we just fossicked around there."

That led them to a 600m thin strip of steep, bushy land, which runs alongside a stream at Te Puru.

The land, just five minutes from the beach, was so steep little else besides a tram could fit on it. Council regulations prevent any permanent dwelling being built there but movable homes are allowed.

Most buyers had not given the unusual strip of land a second glance - even though it was going for less than $50,000.

To the Thomases it was perfect. Even though they have to install a pole platform for their bach to sit on, the cost of the land and tram renovations has still been far cheaper than buying a normal section.

"Time is one thing I can create, but financial resources I can't," said Mr Thomas. "By getting this old tram and working on it every waking hour for the last couple of years we have got a really fabulous looking bach now."

Mr Thomas said people wanting to buy on the Coromandel Peninsula should not be put off by the prices, which frequently tip the million dollar mark.

How to find a holiday home within your budget:

Talk to real estate agents about all the different properties available. Sometimes a cheaper section is available, but it requires a little imagination and a lot of hard work.

Find a section which has some kind of restrictions, like not allowing any permanent dwelling and get creative with a campervan, tram or old bus.

Go in with family or friends. Splitting the bill three or four ways makes a $300,000 section and bach much more affordable.

Go camping. While many camping grounds have shut down, there are still several scattered around the peninsula, especially on the western coast.

Rent. This option can be slightly expensive in peak times, but is still cheaper than buying and having to pay rates.