Best-laid plans, of course, don't always work out. Jo's son did live here for seven years until his career took him to Wellington. Jo decided to continue renting out the apartment for another year, bringing in $350 a week.
When that tenant left and a new tenant changed her mind about moving in, Jo thought it was time to test the market by putting her apartment up for sale. "If I don't get what I want at the auction then my husband and I will probably keep it. We are getting older and making other plans, which include living outside of Auckland and maybe keeping this to come back to at weekends because we have grandchildren here.
"We have thought we could rent it like a hotel room but mostly use it ourselves."
The north-facing apartment has been painted and has a new carpet.
"We put in a new waste disposal, had some plumbing work done; an electrician mended power points and light fittings," she says.
"When we first bought it, we installed double-finish blinds. There is a fine blind to filter sunshine and there is another solid Roman blind behind to block out the light. No balcony, no deck, but lots of nice metal-framed windows. The nice thing about these apartments is they are not like shoeboxes. This has windows on two sides. It is sunny and it has a nice view of the sea."
A small entry corridor opens to the kitchen and living space. Shoji doors lead into the bedroom which has two wardrobes flanking the door to the bathroom where there is a corner shower, toilet, vanity, washing machine and dryer. The sale includes a secure carpark and storage area.
Jo says the solidly built property was an Auckland University building in the 1970s-80s.
"It was an office block and converted into apartments in 1990. There are 52 apartments."
She has high praise for the building manager.
"He doesn't live in. When we were refurbishing this a year ago, the building manager was excellent. He would arrange for the plumber or electricians to go in; all you had to do was ring. And it keeps your body corp down because you are not paying out a massive amount to an on-site building manager."
Jo thinks her apartment will appeal to first-home buyers or retirees wanting a city base when they move out of Auckland.
"The apartment directly above us was bought by a young couple who just got married. Or for an older couple. It is definitely a lock up and leave."
citysales.co.nz/listings #9436
