Herne Bay - Added Value

Address: 76 Ardmore Road, Herne Bay.

Michael Hood has a long-standing passion for houses, and for ecology. Now the former real estate agent is combining both loves to forge a new career in property development with a focus on eco-friendly homes.

The first renovation he's completed is a stylish villa in a sought-after Herne Bay street. Michael has gone to great lengths to make sure the house was restored using eco-friendly building practices, such as recycling wherever possible, and that it will be an environmentally sound place to live.

``I've done things like using paints that have minimal toxicity and don't give off fumes,'' he says. ``I've also used halogen lighting which is more efficient and uses less electricity.''

The house is centrally heated with gas and the water heater uses gas on demand, so there's no energy wasted in keeping the water hot.

In the kitchen, Michael has installed dishwasher drawers that use less power and water, and the gas fire in the living area not only looks good, but has a fan that quickly fills the room with warm air.

Thoughtful planning went into the extension at the back that is home to the open plan living, dining and kitchen.

It has two walls of east and north-facing glass that let the sun flood in during the morning and afternoon, heating the polished concrete floor.

The floor retains the heat, releasing it later in the day when the weather turns cooler. This means the gas fire may only be needed on the chilliest of days.

``One of the problems with villas is that they can be cold,'' says Michael. ``But they don't have to be. This house is designed to be very warm and dry, and in the summer you can open up all doors out the back to cool it down.''

And unlike many other villas, this house is not dark. Michael put in extra windows in the north-facing side of the house to make the most of the sun and light.

He also painted it throughout in a white that makes the rooms look crisp and clean but not sterile. This house is vastly different to the rundown dump Michael bought.

``It was in a shocking state,'' he recalls. ``There were cockroaches everywhere and it looked like the floorboards had been lifted and rubbish dumped underneath.

``People said I was mad, but I could see what it could look like when it was finished.''

He included special touches like smart-wiring so there is internet and television access in most of the rooms, and placed a glass door at the end of the wide hallway so that when you walk in the front door you can see straight out to the stunning water feature in the garden.

A pull-down ladder in the ceiling allows access to a huge storage area in the attic.

Michael admits he's fastidious, but he believes a job worth doing is worth doing well. ``I wanted to create a home that people would fall in love with.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4+

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: *

SIZE: Land 471sq m, house 175sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $1 million. Auction September 27.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12-12.45pm.

ON THE WEB: www.uprealty.co.nz # 135245.

CONTACT: Daniel Burrill, Unlimited Potential, ph 021 755 793.

FEATURES: Early 1900s villa renovated to a high standard with special attention to ecological factors. Gas heating and cooking, designer kitchen, gardens landscaped with native plants.

*No garage but off-street parking for 2 cars.