The home was constructed in 1957 by Neil Homes as part of an early development. It looks much like a well-maintained mid-century state home with its weatherboard exterior, simple three-bedroom layout and native timbers.
It's more affordable than the fancier easterly Te Atatu Peninsula homes boasting waterfront views sometimes featured in Herald Homes. The peninsula has well and truly cast aside its undiscovered status, becoming increasingly popular, but this place offers potential for buyers looking to get a foothold.
Alan and his wife, former teacher Judy, who are now both retired were oblivious to this location's charms until a good friend suggested they check it out.
They were thinking they'd try their hand at property investment after Alan sold his business selling musical instruments, KBB Music, five years ago.
Alan says: "Judy and I were really taken with the peninsula, which is a little gem.
"We like the water all around it, its orientation to the sun and its almost island-like feeling. And when all the motorway work out this way is completed around the end of this year access to town is going to be transformed."
Image 1 of 6: This solid, traditional home offers some enjoyably simple Kiwi pleasures. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
The western side of this headland favours simpler houses. The Kemps bought one next door and were renovating it when they noticed this neighbouring property pop up in a private sale listing. Impressed with the neighbourhood they decided to buy this place to tenant.
They have a genuine philosophy that a good environment retains quality tenants. So they created that here, installing ceiling and underfloor insulation, a ventilation system and more recently a heat pump.
Alan admires his wife's eye for decor, which drove the neutral but non-sterile colour palette used to re-carpet, repaint the interior and guide curtain choice.
A couple of nicely established trees grace the level half-section's front lawn, near a double carport. From a sunny trellised front deck the front door leads into the carpeted lounge.
Alan says: "I think this would be my favourite place if I lived here because it's quite sunny and bright with the heat pump plus a wood-burning fireplace to add character."
There are matai or tawa polished floorboards in various areas, including the open-plan repainted kitchen-dining set-up. The dining area opens to a covered deck neighbouring a little rear courtyard with built-in seating.
Alan's got a useful tip for first-home-buyers or anyone else who buys a property with an old-school re-circulating, non-vented rangehood -- replace it.
He reckons they basically just re-circulate cooking grease throughout the interior so upgraded to a modern rangehood here.
Beyond the kitchen is a laundry area with extra storage.
There are three bedrooms; two larger with wardrobes. The rear bedroom has doors opening to the rear deck. The bathroom is serviceably tidy.
Alan's traditional Kiwi meat-and-potatoes observation extends to simple Kiwi pleasures outdoors: a shed, fine lemon tree and splendidly bulbous established nikau palm.
