Waterview

By ROBYN WELSH

Twenty years ago real estate agents were almost apologetic when they suggested to buyers that they might view prospective properties in Waterview. Now, astute buyers from West Auckland and the North Shore are asking to see the variety of homes in this small, clearly defined and often bypassed area west of Great North Rd between Pt Chevalier and Avondale.

Houses ranging from villas and bungalows to terraced houses, units, townhouses and ex-state properties happily co-exist in streets where the natural focus is to the water, looking west towards Te Atatu peninsula.

Here, as in other parts of the city, ex-state houses are popular, with their reputation for being rock solid in terms of construction, and investment.

The new upmarket Waterview Downs development off Great North Rd is adding a cosmopolitan flavour to the mix of older houses and stand-alone townhouses on subdivided sites. Older, established homes on the water's edge are at the premium end of the market, selling for $350,000 to $400,000 - a low figure compared to multi-million dollar properies at the water's edge in suburbs closer to Auckland city.

While prices in the suburb average out at between $200,000 and the mid $300,000s, a two-bedroom unit for around the $140,000 is a good first home buyer option or rental investment. One primary school (Waterview Primary), secondary schools in Avondale, Mt Albert and Western Springs as well as nearby Unitec add to Waterview's appeal among families.