KEY POINTS:
Booming prices landed many Onehunga homeowners a cash windfall last year.
But a quaint, two-bedroom cottage has been taken off the market after failing to attract a buyer, unsurprising really when you consider its neighbour.
The house at 227 Church St sits right under a giant power pylon. Real estate agent Rodney Latu freely admits, that makes it a bit of a nightmare to move.
Some overseas studies suggest links between electromagnetic radiation from overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia and other forms of cancer.
Hundreds of homes in Auckland are close to unsightly pylons, but many are state houses where tenants have few choices. So it's always an interesting test of the market when one comes up for private sale.
The property is valued at about $360,000. The Real Estate Institute's December median Auckland figure is $450,000.
Overall, Onehunga properties rose in value by 10 per cent last year. Despite that, the Church St home attracted little interest in three months on the market.
Latu said the vendor had decided to take it off for 12 to 18 months in the hope possible zoning changes might make it more attractive.
He said: "$360,000 - what can you buy in Onehunga for that? Long-term, I think this is a fantastic investment opportunity. Sure it's a tough one to move, but I love a challenge. With these things it's all a matter of timing."
