Added value - Pt Chevalier

Address: 52 Smale St, Pt Chevalier

A tired old home with ``all the spaciousness of a dog kennel'' wouldn't have appealed to most house hunters.

But experienced developer Andrew McDade was more interested in potential than existing floor plans when he scoured the market for make-over prospects in good locations.

He pricked up his ears earlier this year when he heard about a two-bedroom bungalow on a good-sized, level site in Pt Chev.
``It had all the spaciousness of a dog kennel, because it was so small,'' grins Andrew.

``It was really tired, had no flow and the previous owners lived elsewhere and had this as a rental. The floors were rolling like a rollercoaster because of the age of the house.

``But I'd wanted to come to Pt Chev because this area's popular with big families, and this is a sunny site. I like buying two-bedroom houses because you get them at a two-bedroom price.

Then when I do an extension it costs me nearly the same amount of money whether it's a 30sq m or 100sq m extension. You still go through the same process.''

Andrew transformed the property with family living in mind. He doubled the home's size, converting the front into four bedrooms and extending the rear by 100sq m.

It's a combination that works well, he explains, as many buyers want bungalow charm blended with the convenience of modern living areas.

A plaster fence now defines the front lawn and the path spans a gently trickling water feature of river boulders.

The old weatherboard verandah has been enlivened by plaster accents and opened up to allow central steps to the front door.

The master bedroom has its own walk-in wardrobe and a stylishly tiled en suite. The bedrooms have accents of bungalow character, such as battened ceilings and some stained glass windows.

The spacious main bathroom echoes the en suite decor, has a partially-open shower and a bath. The floorboards in the central hallway have been re-levelled.

Stepping into the large extension there's a more modern ambience thanks to polished concrete floors. The main living area has a sleek gas fireplace with alcove atop crying out for a wall-mounted TV.

Around the corner is a second living room that also opens onto the tidily landscaped grounds.

Sunshine pours in the back corner of the house, where the glass is practically floor to ceiling thanks to two sets of glass doors topped with windows.

You can imagine abandoning the dining area inside on balmy, summer evenings when the doors can be flung open, and entertaining alfresco.

``The old kitchen was about the size of a Mini,'' Andrew recalls, admiring the granite-topped sleekness of its spacious successor. ``I'm really pleased with the effect you get from these high ceilings,'' he adds, ``you could just about play basketball in here.''

He can personally vouch for the area's sociable layout, having shouted his team a few beers in front of the fire when they finished the job.

Andrew is a qualified builder but several years ago set up his own property development company, AMC Properties.

Andrew now spends most of his time overseeing projects, relying heavily on the talent of his team of 10 builders and painters.

``They're great; most of them have been with me seven or eight years and they're all fully motivated.''

The completion of the bungalow marks a milestone for Andrew. After eight years of upgrading existing homes he's about to embark on two new multiple-unit developments in Grey Lynn and Epsom.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 0

SIZE: Land 695sq m, house 200sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Similar homes in the area have sold for between $700,000 and $900,000. Auction August 13.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 3-3.45 pm, Wed 12-12.45 pm.

ON THE WEB: www.rwkingsland.co.nz #KGL10033

CONTACT: Lesley Hawes and Ruth Hawes, Ray White Kingsland, ph 815 9008, 021 482 799 (Lesley), 021 482 797 (Ruth).

FEATURES: Newly-renovated property offering two living areas, designer kitchen, bathrooms with heated floors, gas fire and separate laundry.