SCHOOL ZONES:
Balmoral School, Auckland Girls Grammar, Mt Albert Grammar.
CONTACT:
Lesley Morel, Harcourts, 0274 833 919.
AUCTION:
October 18 at 10am onsite.
*3 off-street
For Mark Horrocks and Tamara Sinko, living here tops everything, whether or not there is something big going down at nearby Eden Park.
They're within earshot of the park and when the Black Caps beat South Africa in the Cricket World Cup semi-final earlier this year, this couple were in on the action -- from the comfort of their couch. They heard the roar when a wicket was taken before it flashed in front of the rest of the world on the TV.
When sport is over for the day and summer is still steaming, they're a hop skip and a jump from their pool and, all year round, they're within reach of the fruits of their majestic avocado tree that yields what Mark estimates to be around 400 avocados.
When it's barbecue time here or elsewhere, Mark and Tamara know what they're expected to produce -- home-made guacamole made from avocados and tomatoes from Mark's vegetable garden. Avocado is the currency of friendship here, and friends and visitors rarely leave without fruit in hand.
"We're pretty popular for our avocados and they're awesome," says Tamara.
The tree, the towering palms and the in-ground, non-heated pool that finds its own way up to 29C during summer were all here when Mark bought this property in September 2011.
Their outdoor eating area is flanked by lush lawn.
Image 1 of 5: Bountiful avocado tree is made for sharing -- you will be the entire neighbourhood's best friend
Previous owners have clearly worked their contemporary perspective on this 1940s brick and tile house while retaining important original elements including the footprint, the front and side casement windows, the internal panelled doors and the well-defined side entry 'front door'.
The layout is largely as it would have been originally, although the once separate dining room and living room have been opened up to become a more functional open plan living area. Two new sets of french doors, in keeping with the style of the house, open this up to the outdoors that backs on to the rose garden that is part of Gribblehurst Park with vehicular access right next door.
The modern, style-appropriate galley-style kitchen has rear full length bi-fold, wood grain laminate doors that hide from view the generous scullery-style workspaceand plentiful storage area. The single door at the end keeps the laundry operation out of sight. Beneath the kitchen window that looks out to the garden, the engineered stone bench and solid colour, non-wood grain laminate complement Mark and Tamara's own colour scheme in their wider living area.
Off the hallway a well-appointed bathroom has wall-to-wall cabinetry with under bench storage and a space-saving shower over the bath. The separate toilet is right next door. All three original double bedrooms are located along the front of the house and that has worked well when they've had flatmates in residence.
Tamara says: "You can still be out here in the lounge listening to music and it's quiet in the bedrooms."
One of the guest bedrooms has a small walk-in wardrobe and one a single wardrobe. The main larger bedroom has a double wardrobe that Mark installed.
This location and the fact that they have just one next door neighbour has offered enviable tranquillity to this couple and their extended family from overseas who stay here regularly.
