KEY POINTS:
6H Carlton Gore Road, Grafton.
It is possible to buy a three bedroom home for less than $600,000 in the sought after Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar School zone. You can even be close enough to the city and Newmarket to be able to walk to work.
Townhouse H is for sale at Grafton Ridge, a development next door to the Whitecliffe School of Art at the top end of Carlton Gore Road.
Built in 2001, Grafton Ridge is of the era when some similar properties were affected by leaky building issues. However, the owner of townhouse H, Terry Reardon, says he can categorically say there are no leaks in his home. It's had the all clear from the Auckland City Council, which has identified minor issues in a couple of the other properties in the complex, but not Terry's place. Prospective buyers can see the information in the LIM report.
Auckland's inclement weather has also given Terry reassurance. "I've had some cracker storms since I've been here and there have been no leaks," he says.
Secure behind a controlled-access gate, Terry's three-level home has a double garage at the entry level. The garage, which has internal access, also includes a laundry and lots of storage. From the entrance hall, stairs lead up to the open plan living and dining area and the kitchen.
When Terry bought the townhouse it was looking a little worn, but he hired interior designer Pamela Rankin of Inside Interior Design to freshen it up. Now, all the walls and ceiling are painted a fresh white, Dulux 'Okarito', while Belgian linen curtains dress the anodised aluminium joinery. Doors lead outside to a compact garden and dark-stained timber deck.
The kitchen has granite benchtops and stainless steel Smeg appliances. There is also a guest powder room and shower on this level.
The top floor features three bedrooms as well as the main bathroom, which also has access from the master bedroom. Both the main bathroom and powder room have modern fittings and smart mosaic tiles. All the bedrooms have double wardrobes and feature new timber Venetian blinds.
A skylight admits natural light into the stairwell, keeping everything bright. "It's a very light and warm home as it gets lots of afternoon sun. The kitchen is great for morning sun," Terry says.
Although the townhouse is central, it's very quiet. "It's great being next to the art school," Terry says. "It's a nice building to look at and there's nobody there after four o'clock or in the weekends."
Although Grafton is close to the hospital, university, motorways and the domain, Terry says it's a bit of a forgotten suburb. "Everyone seems to bypass it, but it's so cool here. It couldn't be better for professional people who want to be close to work."
Ideally he would like to buy in the area again, with more space for his two children.
Terry is selling the townhouse with the option of it being fully or partially furnished. Pamela Rankin helped him buy modern Italian furniture and accessories and there's even a new Samsung television that can be bought as part of the deal, on top of the townhouse's asking price.
