KEY POINTS:
A house on a secluded, sweeping half-hectare site in Auckland has sold for $12.1 million, more than twice what its owners paid six years ago.
The three-level house at the end of Garden Rd, a cul-de-sac off Remuera Rd, was sold by orthopaedic surgeon Garry Heynen and his
wife, Joanne.
Quotable Value records show they bought the property in 2001 for $5.1 million and sold for slightly under a record-setting $12.78 million fetched for a Takapuna home in 2004.
The Garden Rd house is on one of Remuera's largest sections, a 5109sq m block, according to QV.
Mrs Heynen said she was reluctant to talk about the sale because parties involved had signed confidentiality agreements, but the property was "truly a little bit of paradise".
Sections of more than 1000sq m are considered large in Auckland and roughly equate to the fast-vanishing quarter acre.
But for the past six years, the Heynens have enjoyed reclusive surroundings with a tennis court, pool, a second house on the site, pond and expansive areas of bush.
The property is within a short walk of Remuera's village centre.
Settlement is due in August.
The rear view of the house is less glamorous but the front is spectacular, with the house sited at the top of a ridge, a wide set of stairs sweeping down into the large park-like gardens.
Mrs Heynen said large sums had been spent on the house and the couple would be staying in the area.
"We've done a considerable amount of work to it," she said.
"The house has been remodelled inside and out, from top to toe.
"It's an extremely unique property because of the position.
"It's a secret little enclave nobody even knows about down here.
"You could have sheep or chickens here if you wanted.
"It's incredibly private."
Agents said the Remuera sale was second only to the $12.78 million deal done in 2004 when a Hawaiian-style property at 10 Gibbons Rd, fronting Takapuna Beach, sold for a record.
Auckland real estate agents are reporting a growing number of high-priced sales.
And last week, Barfoot & Thompson released figures showing Auckland house prices rose a staggering $25,000 in just the last month alone.
Quotable Value's figures came out yesterday and showed big national price gains.
Although immigration has slowed, exceedingly strong employment and high job security are fuelling the market.
Auckland City's property values increased by 7.5 per cent, up from 6.6 per cent last month.
Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin also reported higher growth rates at 11.8 per cent, 12.4 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively.
Wellington City remained stable with property values growing at 13.3 per cent over the past year.
In the provincial cities, Wanganui values increased 14.1 per cent, Nelson 12.3 per cent, New Plymouth 11.3 per cent and Tauranga 6.7 per cent.
Real Estate Institute data for last month will be released in the next week.
