SCHOOL ZONES:
Ponsonby Primary and Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.
CONTACT:
Keith Dowdle, Custom Residential, 021 877 905.
AUCTION:
Sunday 23 August, 2pm, on site.
Tyler and Laura Tabak never imagined the first home they would be able to buy in Auckland as new parents would be on Herne Bay's coveted northern slopes.
The couple had been renting a central city apartment after moving back to Auckland from Tauranga with their young daughter Sadie early this year when Tyler was offered a job here.
When they spotted this house online, they met the owners and bought it privately before it went to tender.
The modest two-bedroom kauri cottage, built in the 1900s and once lived in by the poet David Mitchell, had been in the same family for 75 years, and the daughter of the owners had flown out from England to sell it.
When Tyler and Laura bought the house in April, they were attracted by the "magic" location and the fact that they and Sadie could move straight in without having to make any changes straight away.
Tyler works in the city so his daily commute past Westhaven Marina takes less than five minutes in rush hour.
Laura, a town planner, has had initial talks with the council about how they could alter the house, which has glimpses of the sea from some rooms and is a short walk to Sentinel Beach Reserve at the bottom of the road.
Image 1 of 4: With an unbeatable location and renovated interior, simply move right in and make your mark on the outside of this kauri cutie
"We were both very excited about renovating the house because we thought it would be a long-term option," says Laura.
Their plans involved moving the cottage forward on its 361sq m, east-to-west facing property and building a modern, two-storey extension at the back which would still leave room for a garden and make the most of harbour views.
The current layout of the house includes a small central hallway with a bedroom off each side and the bathroom off to the right.
The master bedroom has a large wardrobe and views out to the front garden.
A covered porch at the front entrance could be used as a single third bedroom or office.
The open plan kitchen and lounge are at the end of the hallway. A separate toilet is near the back door, which leads out to a well fenced back garden and a shed which includes the laundry.
The property also has a single garage in the large front garden.
"It certainly wouldn't fit a Land Rover inside but it's very useful for storage," says Tyler.
The Tabaks have made good friends with their immediate neighbours during their short time living here and have loved being within easy walking distance to the Jervois and Ponsonby Rd shops and cafes.
Tyler has been offered a transfer to Tauranga by his employer and after much thought he and Laura have decided to move back there to be close to family.
"To be honest, we have battled with the decision to sell. It would be great to hang on to this property, but we want to buy a family home and Mt Manganui, where we want to live, is not cheap."
