Teenage sprawl is a whole other storey

171 VICTORIA AVE, REMUERA

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SIZE: Land 879sq m, house approx 289sq m

PRICE INDICATION: RV $1.8 million

INSPECT: Sun 11am-11.30am. Expressions of interest close April 2

ON THE WEB: http://rwremuera.co.nz/RMU21767

SCHOOL ZONES: Victoria Ave Primary, Remuera Intermediate, Auckland Boys' Grammar, Epsom Girls' Grammar

CONTACT: Roy Champtaloup, ph 027 555 557

Trudy Hunter's teenage children weren't very impressed when they learned their family home was going on the market. Twins Aleisha and Nicolas have only lived in the house for a year but they love it, and it will be tough to leave.

"We're not too popular," says Trudy, who explains that she and husband Ray are selling the house to take advantage of business opportunities. "It is going to be a shame to leave because it is such a great family home. It has everything we need."

The spacious house has been divided into "theirs and ours" zones. Trudy and Ray took over the downstairs area, which consists of a large living room with small kitchen, a bedroom, bathroom and study area. Meanwhile the twins, who are 18, have the run of upstairs, although Trudy and Ray use the kitchen and living spaces on the upper level, too.

"It's been really useful when the kids have their friends over and they can just do their own thing," she says. "We're not on top of each other - everyone can be in a different part of the house."

Having the pool has also been a bonus. "Their friends come over and they all hang out here, which is good. I like to know where they are." She swims in the pool nearly every day except for two months of the year in winter.

Trudy says she and Ray were attracted by the home's peaceful and private location at the end of the long driveway. "You drive down and it is like coming to a resort. It is so lovely and tranquil - it is very relaxing. It is also a very warm house. It gets the sun all day."

The house is cleverly laid out to make the most of the north-facing aspect, with the living areas and some of the bedrooms positioned on the sunny side of the house.

The lobby at the front of the house leads to a small room Trudy uses as an office, but which could be a fifth bedroom. It also offers access to the formal dining room, lounge and the kitchen.

The formal living room features a fireplace flanked by large built-in window seats - the perfect spot to read a book and enjoy the sun flooding in the windows. French doors open to a veranda, which leads to a paved courtyard where the family enjoy barbecues in the summer.

The kitchen is a pleasure to work in thanks to the view out over the pool and across Remuera to Rangitoto.

The rest of this level is taken up with the family bathroom and three bedrooms, one of which the twins use as a lounge. Aleisha has the master bedroom, with en suite and walk-in wardrobe. "She is really going to miss that," says Trudy.

Image 1 of 5: 171 Victoria Ave, Remuera. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Downstairs, Ray and Trudy's "quarters" include a living room and a bedroom that open up to the pool via French doors. The bedroom has a walk-through wardrobe and plenty of cupboard space.

The downstairs kitchen is small but fully functional, and there is also a big bathroom.

The Hunters had imagined themselves in the house long-term, but new opportunities mean another family will get to enjoy everything the home has to offer.