[Michelle and Richard]

Just had to tell you this as an example of how crazy property is in certaion parts of Auckland.

Just looked at a house, very nice, nothing special but in a nice suburb, no seaviews average street. So you have the picture.

Walked in, its beautiful, very modern stunnig kitchen dining room leading out into a fab garden and now the sting in the tail.

What a lovely garden i said, "ah yes thats an extra $300 000" said the agent. Oh yes sub division big style and the beautiful garden would shrink to about 6 feet of concreate.

Sub divison is a big problem and what can be a lovely view can disappear over night if you neighbours decide to sell off their garden. Plannning rules appear to be somewhat flexible.

Richard has now decided that he will study for his property law exam first it could be handy. Maybe this is uniquue to Auckland and maybe just certain parts of Auckland, Karl is it the same over your side of the harbour ?

Michelle

[karltsmith]

Hi Michelle,

It's a similar story in all popular city areas. When I first lived in AKL back in 1987 the amount of subdivision wasn't great but now it is rife! The effect is that although AKL's urban spread has not much changed in 20 years, the population density/dynamics have. Sub-division is an easy way of making a quick 'buck' and many kiwi's are doing it. We decided to buy a house on a big plot in a mature neighbourhood where any view we had was certain (as you can be) not to change. I have friends who bought a new section in Orewa a couple of years ago at the right price and have now built. However the commanding panoramic sea view they once had is now ruined by all the new builds that have stolen the once unspoilt view! Planning laws, zoning laws and covenants dictate what you can and cannot do with your piece of 'turf' so check out these facts before you buy. The 'Shore' is home to some of the most expensive real estate in NZ. A coastal property will still set you back $1m and I have seen tenders invited for over $2m and $3m on some properties. Call me old fashioned but out of everywhere in AKL 'The Shore' is still my favourite place to live.

Karl :cool

[Michelle and Richard]

We are heading over to the north shore tomorrow to have a look around and head up to Makatana , wish we could live over that way as it still looks like you get more over there its work that will dictate in the end. This sub division is awful, nowhere has a garden just strips of land around the side of the house. Have learnt so much in a week and learining all the time. It just seems to me that development is virtually unchecked.

So much has changed in the last 8 years since we were last here so can only imagine the changes you must have seen.

Michelle

[veronica]

One of the biggest surprises we had in chch was that it seems that nearly every house has another house built in its backyard. Having seen all the photos in REALENZ where all the gardens look large this was a shock to the system. These real estate people have degrees in trick photography.

[Timbo]

They seem to be pretty good wordsmiths as well Veronica, judging by some of the descriptions I have seen. Do you think they train them in uk?

[Moorf]

Yep Michelle - same here re sub-divisions... our new address is 50/4.. yep, there are FOUR on one plot (but ours is the biggie :laugh )..

[lindajax]

Hi Michelle,

Subdivision - bloody hell!!!! :eek

All posts about buying/renting property are beginnin to really freak me out!! :wah

we're coming to Auck and fortunately my employer has give us accom for 2 weeks then another employee said we can live with her - Howick 5 bed detatched - until were sorted. looks like it may take a while :?

Keep us posted about your housing adventures so we hopefully can be alittle more in the kn ow when we get there!!

love
linda xxx

[karltsmith]

Linda don't worry there's still enough land to go around! Plenty of houses not subdivided and new sections. The trend has been to build "easy care" houses i.e. with a small garden and lots of decka and planting with weed netting so that you don't have to spend your valuable leisure time cutting the grass every weekend!.......Having said that our section is 1200m2.....Think I'll but a a ride on mower and put in an irrigation system!!!

Karl :laugh

PS Howick is nice.......little England (according to the Kiwi's)

[Michelle and Richard]

Linda

Where are you going to working ? This will hugely influence where you can live. We are so near to the city and therefore have to live nearby that something on a piece of land like Karls would cost over a million. We are stuck here, going over the north shore the traffic is awful, we have tried it, going out west same problem, south same problem so here we are near to the city.

We have looked at numerous houses, some fantastic some not so fantastic and some with fantastic price tags. But we are trying to get an overall picture.

We are moving into a short term rental in Grafton, right opposite the hospital and walking distance to the city. Parking is a nightmare so not having to drive and then hike it up the hill to the hospital will help for a while.

We have seen a house that basically fills what we are looking for but cannot decide whether to dive in now or wait to see if the exchange rate improves. Its in St Helliers, 5 mins from the beach and we can see Rangitoto from the balcony which wraps around the house. It has very little garden much as karl has described but the way its designed encourages an outdoor lifestyle.

There are lots of issues with houses here and you have to be careful before buying. Agents are high pressure salesman, there is a major problem with "leaky houses" built with untreated timber. One agent says dont buy old they are freezing and draughty, another will say dont buy new, dont buy a flat roofed house(leaky), dont buy at the bottom of a dip(damp), dont buy rendedered(cracks). If you have friends out here pick their brains and get as many unbiased opinions as possible. Our heads are spinning and thats why we intend to rent short term to get a feel for things. Its dead money but it could save us in the long run from making a very expensive mistake.

When do you arrive ?

Michelle

[lindajax]

Michelle,
I'll be working at Middlemore, Kidz first. Otahuhu.
Been offfered house with employee in Howick which is nice area and 15 mins from hospital BUT it is expensive to rent and buy there.

Was looking at Buckalnds beach area - seems nice and only 15-20min from work but again pretty pricey.
Middlemore isn't strickly in the city so it may limit us as to get from north auck to there looks amassive pain in the A***.
Any thoughts - advice on this would be helpful!!
Love Linda xx

[Timbo]

Auckland Police say there has been a increase in the number of car-jackings in the city, warning issued to motorists



6 October 2004

A spate of car-jackings has prompted Auckland police to issue a warning to motorists.

In the last month four serious attacks have occurred, including an incident where a woman was shot at.

Les Mills Junior, grandson of the former Auckland City Mayor, has become the latest victim; he had a knife held to his neck and was forced to drive around the city.

Auckland City Police Operations Manager Inspector Jim Wilson says there has been a increase in the number of car-jackings in the city.

He says the incidents are isolated and the offenders opportunist.

And he says people should take preventive measures where they can.

Jim Wilson says things like keeping your windows up and doors locked and parking under lights can minimise the risks.

[Michelle and Richard]

I don't want to tempt fate here Timbo but I'm thinking we may be ok in our Ford Ka - can't imagine any self respecting car jacker wanting that!

Richard

[Timbo]

:clap :clap :cheers

[Moorf]

Hmmm this has nothing to do with Auckland but is kinda relevant after Timbo's post - (plus didn't want to start a topic especially for this one item...)... on the news today was a story of 3 travel writers who had made it through Afghanistan and other potentially dangerous Middle East countries without any trouble... after 24hrs in Chch their motorhome was trashed and all their equipment and irreplaceable images, were stolen :?

Their comments were that they'd "let their guard down" as they figured the LAST place this would happen was NZ...