West Auckland property popular

Changes are afoot in West Auckland as more and more people discover it's a great place to buy a home.

Big growth seems likely to continue as the area represents value for money, offering opportunities for a quality lifestyle at better prices than can be found elsewhere in Auckland.

Real estate agents who work the area say confidence has returned to the market. There's a huge amount of activity happening, spurred on by new residential subdivisions and shopping centres.

Most offices, however, are struggling to find good stock, so quality homes, especially those at the upper end, are achieving excellent prices.

Mike Peterson, of Barfoot & Thompson, West Harbour, says that like the rest of middle New Zealand, the real estate market in West Auckland is affected by economic factors that shape confidence. "In the year 2000, people tended not to change homes because they were scared of what the future held. There were a number of things; the Employment Relations Act had a big impact. The price of petrol kept going up. That also had an impact because many people in the west travel by car to work in the city."

Prices stabilised in 2001, he says. "Now they are slowly starting to climb again. It's very hard to find a little cheapy home for around $130,000 in the west. Around $150,000 is the bottom-end benchmark."

The median price has only moved upwards by about $10,000 in the past two years. That slight movement doesn't reflect the prices being achieved by some properties with the X-factor.

Gitti Harre, sales manager of Bayleys, Titirangi, says the more dated properties haven't really moved, but those with outstanding character are getting outstanding prices in her area. "People looking for quality homes with ambience can find them in Titirangi. They see them as good value, but they are still paying top dollars."

The Bayleys Titirangi office recently sold a character home on a large acreage in Huia to a Hong Kong buyer for $1.2 million. Another landmark property in Tawini Rd, Titirangi, sold for close to $900,000.

Stephen Theobald, manager of Harcourts, Kumeu, says if a property is priced well there are keen buyers in Kumeu. "A lot of people are moving out from the city. There's also interest from expats, some surprisingly young, who can afford the lifestyle. It's perceived as a good area to buy, especially for those with children or looking to have children. It's New Zealand the way you want it - a safe, secure area with a strong sense of community."

The outdoor recreational pursuits are big drawcards, he says. "Among the many things right on your doorstep are the West Coast beaches, the vineyards, horse-riding and mountain-bike riding."

Theobald notes that five years ago there weren't many substantial homes being built out west. Now people are comfortable spending more to build the big upmarket homes in the area because the standard has been raised. Kumeu now competes with places like Coatesville.

Sandy Lowe, manager of Harveys, Te Atatu, says there a lot of younger people moving to Te Atatu Peninsula where you can get a newer home for a much lower price.

Many of Sandy's buyers are looking for homes in newer areas like Edgelea Estate, Harbour View and the more expensive Waimanu Bay. "The younger ones can come in and get something new, maybe a terraced house for about $269,000. Whereas a good four- to five-bedroom home will go from the high $400,000 to early $500,000s."