As the house opened out before her, she became more and more interested. Downstairs were three connected high-stud living spaces atop recycled kauri floors and opening out to sunny and private outdoor areas.
At the centre was a stylish native timber kitchen, with bifold doors opening out to the larger of the outdoor areas, with paving, lawn, garden and pool.
Upstairs was a master suite with en suite and walk-in wardrobe and a second lounge featuring a striking native timber bar shaped like the prow of a boat. A deck wrapped around the north and east, with an alluring panorama along Red Beach, looking out to Kawau, Great Barrier and Little Barrier islands.
Even the garage had indoor-outdoor flow, with light pouring in through two sets of French doors to the garden. And there was plenty of room for their children and grandchildren to stay, with a separate wing accommodating three bedrooms and a large bathroom.
When Bev told Trevor about Red Beach, he also said, "Where's that?" But he was easily convinced. The house was everything he and Bev had wanted, far better value for money than Milford, and still an easy commute to his work in Forrest Hill.
"When I told my colleagues you could throw a stone from the deck and hit the water, they were very impressed."
The couple's two young granddaughters squealed at the potential for long summers swimming in the pool, and the safe beach over the road. There was no going back to Milford after that - the house was duly purchased.
Bev and Trevor quickly settled into the lifestyle, enjoying views of Red Beach Surf Club action on the water, looking out for orcas, whales and dolphins, wandering down to the community tennis courts with their granddaughters, playing golf at the local course, jogging around the quiet streets and socialising with friendly neighbours.
Bev jokes that she doesn't take the dog for a walk down to the beach - she takes her kayak. She puts it in the water outside the property and paddles to Orewa or to Stanmore Bay.
After 11 happy years, Bev and Trevor have decided to downsize. They plan to stay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula but say they'll struggle to find a house comparable to this home.
"It's a big house for just the two of us," says Trevor, "but we're not going to be too upset if we don't end up moving."
