SCHOOL ZONES:
Botany Downs Primary, Howick Intermediate and Pakuranga College.
CONTACT:
Marie Raos, Ray White, 0274 810 199.
AUCTION:
February 3, (unless sold prior).
Patrick and Pam Gallagher were so delighted with their ex-show home when they moved in close to 20 years ago, they soon persuaded the children's grandparents to move into the neighbourhood as well.
"Our three kids had a great childhood, going from one house to another and being part of a large, loving family," they say.
"The cul-de-sac we're on was always full of scooters and bikes and the sound of happy children at play."
The house proved to be remarkably versatile with its spacious, airy layout, based around
the well-equipped kitchen which was upgraded a few years ago, and the sunny living room with doors opening to the attractive leafy courtyard beyond.
"Everyone had his or her own bedroom and the children also had the family room to play around in. These days that's our music room," says Pam, who plays guitar with her band, PG and the Tips.
Unfortunately she's currently in hiatus, having broken a wrist.
Other family members play piano, drums and electric guitar so the room is ideal for jamming when everybody is home together.
Patrick works in civil engineering. He lived in the neighbourhood during his teens when much of the surrounding area was farmland, and has ended up working on local roading projects.
"I really do have a close connection with the area and I've seen a lot of changes," he says.
The main house has four bedrooms, one of which is being used as an office. They are served by the family bathroom while the master suite has its own bathroom, plus a generous walk-in wardrobe. A separate laundry has garden views.
Image 1 of 5: Lots of space to move and play plus a covered pool make this a happy family home. Photos / Ted Baghurst
The piece de resistance of this well-maintained property -- well, certainly from a child's perspective -- is a large pool, set inside its own conservatory.
"The glass is tinted so you won't get burnt and although we have a heat pump, it's practically never needed because the sun heats the water naturally," says Patrick.
"When our lot were young they would jump in immediately after breakfast and stay in the pool all day during weekends and holidays -- along with almost all the other kids in the neighbourhood, or so it seemed."
Also at this end of the house is a single carport, a double garage, an office and a bedroom with bathroom, and separate entrance where the couple's son and his partner are living.
"It's been so handy having this extra room and you could possibly install a kitchen to make it completely self-contained," Pam says.
Outside, the driveway has plenty of room for more cars and there's ample lawn space for a trampoline or ball games.
The flow between indoors and out is seamless and the family has enjoyed a number of significant occasions in the garden, once with the addition of a marquee for shade.
As the area around Cascades Rd has gradually been developed, supermarkets, speciality food stores, cafes and restaurants have popped up nearby and most are within easy walking distance.
As is so often the case, Patrick and Pam are downsizing because the house is now too big for them.
"We have lots of happy memories of time spent here," says Pam. "Since this is so clearly a family house, we imagine that's who will buy it."
And this good-looking property, with its well-established gardens, is going to be its new owner's dream home, without a doubt.
