Point Chevalier: Added value

55 Harbour View Road, Point Chevalier.

James Holland remembers their two young children romping in the reserve across the road from the family home.

"We would sit on the deck, watching the sunset, glass in hand and keep an eye on them," says James. "They spent all their time across there."

Tucked away in a quiet back water, the grassy playground offered by the reserve that borders Point Chevalier beach harks back to simpler times, where most neighbourhoods rang with the sounds of children playing in the dusk. But it wasn't only the reserve, or the spectacular sunsets over the water glimpsed through the trees, that appealed to the family.

"We bought this house in 1992 when our son was little, and it was the neighbourhood as much as anything that sold it to us," says James. "It has a very real feel to it. I can think of several of the neighbours who have lived here all their lives. This house was built by the parents of our neighbour to the west."

Built as a family home in the 1960s the solid weatherboard on brick basement house is deceptively spacious. First impressions from the street suggest it to be no larger than the average suburban bungalow of this period but clever remodelling over the years has maximised its use of existing space without going outside the original envelope. The spacious upstairs bathroom was created out of a hallway and a slice of a bedroom, but it's been done so well it looks like it's been there forever. The kitchen, new to the house in 1992, flows well to both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.

"The rear deck is a real suntrap in the morning because it faces east. Sometimes it can be blowing a real westerly, but out here, where we often eat breakfast, it is totally sheltered. Offering further shelter to the rear of the house is an architect designed townhouse of interesting and sympathetic design. There were no covenants on what could be built, but it was done in such a way that no windows overlook us at all."

But it's downstairs where the home improver starts getting the tingle. Although fully permitted at the time of building, the ceilings are below required height for today and so the basement, although totally liveable as it is, offers an exciting opportunity for the homeowner who wants to put their own stamp on a property. At the moment it is laid out as a large rumpus room and bathroom, and the tandem garage adjoining has vast storage. James installed it himself because "we never had enough room for all those things like sports equipment, gardening stuff and the rest. Once I put in the garage and rumpus room, it all just disappeared and the place stayed tidy."

This house provided just what was needed in a family home, but it is now time to make changes. "The children are older now and their schools have changed. From where we have moved to our daughter will be able to walk to her schools, and our son is only an easy bus ride away."

The Hollands knew it was the right time for them to move on, but they did so secure in the knowledge that the new owner will get as much out of their old home and neighbourhood as they have.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 443sq m, house 300sq m (both levels including garage).

PRICE INDICATION: Around $1 million. Tender closes September 27.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm, or by appointment.

CONTACT: Greg Brice, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 307 6340 bus, 021 222 0011 mob, 376 1118 a/h.

FEATURES: Comfortable family home with large basement. Full development of this space would add value and increased options for living. Opposite reserve and beach.