CONTACT:
Tanya Kwasza, 021 593 939 or Marie Graham, 022 391 1086, Ray White.
AUCTION:
Wed Dec 7.
Barry Mitchell and Joanna Kebbell enjoy their close-knit neighbourhood so much that they are moving -- but only a few metres away.
The Devonport couple, who bought their Ngataringa Rd home the day they first looked through it four years ago, are selling only because they have bought the house immediately behind it.
Joanna, who grew up on the North Shore, had always wanted to move back there and the couple say they were keen to get a foothold in Devonport because of its good schools, relaxed lifestyle and strong sense of community.
Buying this do-up Californian bungalow, which had been relocated from Epsom around the 1980s, was a rare opportunity.
The single level bungalow is on the front half of a cross-leased section at the cul-de-sac end of Ngataringa Rd, which runs off Lake Rd and looks out across Ngataringa Bay toward the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the central city.
They initially rented out the property and kept living in Green Bay, before moving into it in 2012 with their children, Jack, 8, and Amy, 5.
Over the past two years their gradual renovations have included changing the floor plan to add a third bedroom, create better internal flow and better access to the back garden.
The kitchen has been remodelled, has new appliances and a new breakfast bar that connects it to the large adjoining dining room.
The house has flued gas heating, new carpets, newly polished wooden floors and has been repainted.
Image 1 of 6: This couple enjoy Devonport so much they are moving just a few metres away. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Joanna and Barry have also made substantial changes to the garden. Their landscaping has included fencing the private back garden, adding proper drainage, irrigation and creating an attractive patio and small lawn that are off the lounge and dining room.
"We have done a lot of work, but there is plenty of potential for the new owners to do more," says Barry, who had considered putting a double garage at the front of the house and adding a second storey to it before the property behind them came up for sale.
The house already has peaks of the sea, but going up a level would give it great views of the inner harbour and cityscape.
A shared driveway on the southwest side of the house leads to its main door which is sheltered by an attractive, original portico.
Double doors off the square entrance hall lead to the family room on the left which also has french doors leading to the garden and to the dining room. A bedroom off the dining room has its own outside entrance on the northeastern side of the house.
The hallway leads through to the kitchen and has the main bedroom off to the right. This room has traditional bay windows that add to the home's street appeal.
The bathroom and third bedroom, which also faces the street, are further off to the right of the hallway.
Joanna says they love living in such a family oriented neighbourhood.
"It's really old school. We have street barbecues with the neighbours in the summer, all the kids play there together and we are never short of babysitters."
With Devonport Village only five minutes' drive away, Narrowneck Beach even closer and the Waitemata Golf Course and Ngataringa Park just down the road it is no wonder the family is keen to stay in the area.
