SCHOOL ZONES:
Albany Junior High School, Albany Senior.
CONTACT:
Jackie Smith, Bayleys, 021 505 520.
AUCTION:
Nov 17 (unless sold prior)
There's seating on a number of levels, an outdoor fire for cooler weather, and the potential for holding big, happy parties is enormous.
Neil Higgins and Julia Drake have lived in New Zealand for seven years with their four children. They were delighted to find that house-buying here tends to be a lot easier than it is back in the UK -- where issues such as stamp duty and gazumping can complicate the process.
"We particularly liked the location of this home because, with a small but very good bunch of shops, cafes, town hall and restaurants just down the road, it reminds us of an English village," they say.
"And there are views of Lucas Creek, which makes it particularly special."
The house in its current form is the result of a number of renovations and refurbishments over the years and the resulting layout suits this busy family, with children at four different schools, very well.
It's in a quiet cul-de-sac with practically no noise save for birdsong, yet has excellent access to motorways going north, or to and from Auckland city.
The main level features more or less open-plan kitchen, dining and living spread over a large area -- plus an office and powder room.
The couple renovated the kitchen after buying the house five years ago and it is most certainly at the centre of their family life with the added bonus of a walk-in scullery.
This area opens up to the pool outside and any number of spots that are suitable for outdoor entertaining.
There's seating on a number of levels, an outdoor fire for cooler weather, and the potential for holding big, happy parties is enormous.
"We're very sociable people and we think nothing of having 100 people here. There's always plenty of room for everybody and the kids' friends think it's fantastic. There's always a full house on a summer's day."
Image 1 of 9: Quiet location feels like an English village. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
The house has two double bedrooms on the ground level, with a shared bathroom, and next up is their teenage daughter's suite with its own walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.
This is where Neil's parents sleep when they come from the UK for a month each year.
"It's good that they can have such peace and privacy," he says.
Another double bedroom houses another son and on the top level, the master suite is magnificent with bathroom featuring shower and toilet, walk-in wardrobe, Neil's man cave -- a small room where he likes to watch football, and the piece-de-resistance an enormous bedroom with a bath.
"We had one in the bedroom back in the UK and it was something we really liked," says Neil.
Back downstairs, what was previously a double garage has been made into a large living room.
They've built a new double garage beyond the separate laundry, but confess that it isn't usually used for cars because it's such a great place for children to play.
Covering around 400sq m, the house is a big one but what the couple like is the fact that it has quite discrete spaces.
"For example, if you put a door on the entrance to the master suite, it could be almost completely self-contained," says Neil.
He and Julia say this has been a perfect neighbourhood for children, who can run around the quiet streets and, as a keen tennis player, Julia is thrilled the courts next door recently had flood-lighting installed.
Their decision to sell is because the children are getting older and within a few years their need for space will be much reduced.
"We've got a few ideas about what we might do next. Who knows? It's exciting when you're planning a change."
