[vixxann]

Firstly - to put you straight - I'm not seriously looking to buy right now but I am seriously doing lots of research ready for our move over. Hopefully we might be looking to settle round C'church area so I've been perusing some houses online.

This one looks fab and not bad at all for the money (probably a bit more than we'll have to spend by time we get there - but thats typically how I house hunt!)

just wondered if there's an "average" kind of price for houses and how this house, just as an example, sat in line with most peoples ideas.

http://www.allrealestate.co.nz/realestate/nzsi/canterbury/redcliffs/103608382

[gil]

Lovely house! Here in Eastern Beach, Auckland, that would be well over the $1million mark.

[Moorf]

At $675k I'd say this was a very good buy - good enough to make me wonder "why so low?" to be honest.

Nice area (Moncks Spur/Redcliffs) about 25 mins car commute in to town and 5 mins drive to Sumner.

Very built up, as you can see, I can't imagine there's much privacy up there.

Steep roads but hey, worth the view!

Not sure if the new Ferrymead development (hi rise luxury apts) would be seen from there - watch out for properties being sold in that area as many may sell before the planned tower goes up and blocks a view.

Just looked back at piccies and there's a huge corrugated roof appearing in some views from balcony - might even have been "cut out" of last pic of view... just an observation..

[Kim39]

Now that is something i would be interested in. Seems to have it all for me:yes

Kim

[Moorf]

I can't stop looking at those piccies Vixxan, it's a gorgeous house - please buy it and we can house swap :laugh

[ellenmelon]

for redcliffs? id say about usual. looks like a bit of negotiating could be done (though id say it'll go in a flash at asking price!) because of the "tired decor" etc etc.tis definately in move in condition though, you wouldnt have to do much to it if you didnt have the time or dosh for a while.
i had a friend live out in that area and the houses are HUGE and the views are amazing, like in that house. (you should sooo buy it lol)
still seems a lot of money though! (im 22 and lack the financial experience so to speak i spose :) )

[Moorf]

Another point - that open fire looks lovely but can you guys in Chch use open fires anymore? And I can't see any sign of a woodburner/heating? Just being picky now cos I can't have it :laugh

[ellenmelon]

Another point - that open fire looks lovely but can you guys in Chch use open fires anymore? And I can't see any sign of a woodburner/heating? Just being picky now cos I can't have it :laugh

as far as i know and can remember, if you have one already (like if you live in an older house) or it was put in before a certain date, you're grand. you couldnt put one in now though..

[Moorf]

Ah ok, I thought open fires were banned outright in town and that woodburners that didn't fit new Ecan (sp?) spec were to be gradually replaced over next few years.

[ellenmelon]

Ah ok, I thought open fires were banned outright in town and that woodburners that didn't fit new Ecan (sp?) spec were to be gradually replaced over next few years.

thats pretty much it aye.for some people converting their fireplaces is financially prohibitive but who knows, maybe ecan have some kind of scheme for financial help, like they do with those longlife lightbulbs whatever theyre called!..im a bit rusty with local ways down there!
i know in my house, we had a fire that was a wetback too and we were lucky enough to have a 40 year old brick home so we werent forced to change..we didnt use any other electricity to heat the house either (4 bed,2 lounge)

[Moorf]

Yes, there are subsidies... all the info is on the Ecan Clean Heat site:-

http://www.cleanheat.org.nz/

Last time we checked the costs of installation for woodburners wasn't as bad as you'd think... so it still wouldn't put me off that house! :laugh

[vixxann]

I can't stop looking at those piccies Vixxan, it's a gorgeous house - please buy it and we can house swap :laugh

I wish I could buy it now - really I do ! :laugh
somehow thats just a tinsy winsy bit too risky even for me;)

Thats the kind of place I'm dreaming of though and boy does it help to know that its out there. Where I am in UK its all barratt box houses or steep terraced streets (although a large majority of the terraces are boarded up:roll ) or totally stupidly priced farmhouses, barn conversions and idylic cottages.

The Redcliffs place looks fab on piccies but actually I suppose its not so great for kids playing out when its so steep round there - they'd not be out riding their bikes much!

[SharpBlade]

Yes, that s exactly what I thought when I saw the house. It is great, but being on the hill is not very child friendly, in my opinion. There is another one for sale through Ray White in Beckenham, Noorwood street, lovely street with park close by, it is on the flat, check it out ( Unfortunately, I can`t give you exact ref). It has character and a swimming pool.
Redcliff is nice, the school is apparently very good, but I prefer to be a bit closer to the city centre. But that`s just me.
Good luck, I used to spend ages on the net too looking at houses when we were still in Ireland (on a dial up..!)
Laura

[vixxann]

Laura - I think you mean this one
http://www.rwredcliffs.co.nz/show?rd=1&ref=RDC10886

very nice :)

When I think about it - I don't know if I'd actually want a pool - Its all part of the big dreaming of a house down under thing but in reality with a young kid and the cleaning and up keep side of things , I'm not sure if I'd bother - maybe stick to a spa pool ;)

this one seems absolutely HUGE and therefore not bad for the money (but very modern)
http://www.bayleys.co.nz/53126


love the view from the bath on this one... ;)
http://www.bayleys.co.nz/53280

[SharpBlade]

yes, that was the one in Beckenham, thanks ! It is hard to tell from a picture , but I know the house and the area well, it is very much to my taste.We don`t have a swimming pool and we probably don`t need one, the kids are still happy with the tiny inflatable one...
I don`t really like massive new houses, and Burdwood is just not our cup of tea. But yes, there are a lot of great houses here, maybe you should go to a few open home (usually on a sat or sunday, check The Press , saturday edition) when you are here .
Laura

[thezorbster]

Hey Vixann, keep that house research going, you're finding us some nice properties! Now, just find me one with a bit more land so I can live my dream of keeping llamas!

[Andy-Dee]

Hi Vixxann
These houses are lovely - its becoming my hobby to see 'whats available'. We would like some land like the zorbster (don't mention the flag :wah ) so we have arranged to meet with a couple of real estate people when we are over there.

See you at the airport! - 2 weeks and counting:nice1

[vixxann]

Hi zorbster & Andy-Dee - are these more your cup of tea...
http://www.allrealestate.co.nz/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=7152505&f=0&p=10&t=rur&ty=&fmt=&header=&c=3431428&s=nzsi&snf=rbs&tm=1173451548

http://www.allrealestate.co.nz/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=7151284&f=10&p=10&t=rur&ty=&fmt=&header=&c=76602461&s=nzsi&snf=rbs&tm=1173451774

(Dee - two weeks tomorrow :D )

[speckythecky]

You seem to have an eye for the best properties Vicki,

See if you an pick me out a good one in Auckland - North Shore

[thezorbster]

Hi Vixxann
Yeh, not bad! I think I will definitely need hills - don't think I can cope with 'flat' and apparently you can have 4 llamas per acre - perhaps you could take up a job as a property finder when you get out there.

Andy-Dee - I'll be waving 'the bargain flag' at you as we pass each other somewhere in NZ over the next few weeks .

Have a great trip guys, we're flying out 2 weeks later than you - we'll have to have another get together when we're all back!

[vixxann]

You seem to have an eye for the best properties Vicki,

See if you an pick me out a good one in Auckland - North Shore

oooooooh , I love it - rubbing hands together in glee - what do you fancy something like this...

http://www.homesell.co.nz/new_zealand_real_estate/6116.php

or more like this...

http://www.homesell.co.nz/new_zealand_real_estate/6116.php

Zorbster - if there was such a job , then put my name down for it;)

[Andy-Dee]

Just a few 'dream' properties I'd sell one of OH's kidneys for: :laugh

http://intranet.harcourts.co.nz/public/residential_brief.asp?pk=3624

This is stunning

http://intranet.harcourts.co.nz/public/residential_brief.asp?pk=326038

http://intranet.harcourts.co.nz/public/residential_brief.asp?pk=314205

http://intranet.harcourts.co.nz/public/residential_brief.asp?pk=354640

D

[Moorf]

By way of contrast, we went to see this wee place near Oxford today! Soo cute and what a location!

http://www.harcourts.co.nz/listing/details.do?rul=%2Fsearch%2Fprocess.do%3Fpg%3D1%26o %3DB%26ts%3D119113290%26qst%3DEnter%2BID%2B%2523%2 Bor%2BStreet%26qss%3Doxford&id=361795

[stu70]

Just a few 'dream' properties I'd sell one of OH's kidneys for: :laugh


small price eh! :laugh

[vixxann]

By way of contrast, we went to see this wee place near Oxford today! Soo cute and what a location!

http://www.harcourts.co.nz/listing/details.do?rul=%2Fsearch%2Fprocess.do%3Fpg%3D1%26o %3DB%26ts%3D119113290%26qst%3DEnter%2BID%2B%2523%2 Bor%2BStreet%26qss%3Doxford&id=361795

What a fab little place - stunning view too!

[vixxann]

ok, I've decided I could just about put up with this one...

http://www.homesell.co.nz/new_zealand_real_estate/6084.php

(may have to share the purchase price out between a few other people!)

But this one seriously does look like it has potential...

http://www.homesell.co.nz/new_zealand_real_estate/5953.php

[Moorf]

Wow, that sure does have potential (neighbour!)... ;)