A city on the up where you can still buy for under $500k
Want some Southern charm? Anabela Rea looks at what under 500K will buy you in Invercargill & Bluff.
Recent statistics unveiled by the latest QV Price Index have shown that house prices across New Zealand are again on the rise. The place where house prices have risen the most? You might be surprised - Invercargill.
Over the last three months, the cost of a home there has risen by 3.2%, with the average home value now sitting at $468,009.
So what can you buy for the new average value in this often overlooked southern city? What’s it like to live there? Andwouldyouwantto?
The regional capital and commercial hub of Southland, Invercargill is bedecked with heritage architecture and is one of the most southern cities in the world.
Fondly dubbed the City of Water and Light, according to Southland
NZ, Invercargill is situated beside the Waihōpai River estuary and experiences long summer daylight hours and frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis or southern lights.
According to Trip
Advisor, several of the top 10 best things to do in Invercargill involve vehicles of some sort, such as the E Hayes and Sons Museum, Bill Richardson Transport World, and Dig This Invercargill.
Considering it was once the home to motorcycle racer Burt Munro (played by Anthony Hopkins in the film The World’s Fastest Indian) who used to race his bike on local Oreti beach, that all seems pretty on brand.
Invercargill’s population is currently around 58,300. That’s substantially less than Auckland’s 1.7 million, which will make the southern city attractive to those looking for a more quiet pace of life, with hardly any traffic woes, and away from the big smoke.
With Invercargill’s
average house
price now $468,009 compared to Auckland’s $1,261,919, perhaps the maths alone can convince you.
Here are five multiple-bedroom homes you can buy in Invercargill now for less than the average.
A CUTE CONCRETE BUNGALOW
With charming arts and crafts decoration on the exterior, this bungalow is located in Avenal, reportedly one of Invercargill’s most desirable suburbs.
The home, at 24 Lowe Street, has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a garage, and 120m² of floor space on a 620m² section.
Listed for $329,000, it’s well below the new city average.
A VILLA RIGHT BY THE SEA IN BLUFF
Uninterrupted sea views at this Bluff villa promise to allow you to watch
the sun rise out of the Pacific every morning.
Just 20 minutes from central Invercargill, the daily commute could be well worth the seaside feeling.
Features of 236 Marine Parade include three bedrooms, one bathroom, multiple ornately carved wooden fireplaces from the turn of the century, an antique coal range, and a sunny verandah from which you can watch the world go by.
Located on a 809m² section, you’re getting considerable value for money, and the home’s floor area comes in at 143m².
This home is being sold “as is where is” and has a CV of just $215,000.
A SUNNY APPLEBY STARTER
Currently occupied by a family, this home also with three bedrooms and one bathroom in the suburb of Appleby is suggested to be a great first step on the ladder.
Special features of 355 Ythan Street include a Masport wood burner and a heat pump, a sunny backyard, plus a guest toilet in the laundry that’s additional to the one in the bathroom.
Built in the arts and crafts style, the home has 120m² of floor area on a 587m² section.
On the market for $319,000, you could
easily have room to give it the updates you may desire.
A FRESHLY RENOVATED COTTAGE
On the market for just $279,000, this cute as a button little cottage at 63 Liffey Street is already all made-over.
Renovated throughout, the home is about as fresh as they come in this price bracket in the Invercargill area.
Also located in Bluff, it’s a little drive from the main drag, but also promises further peace and quiet.
With three bedrooms and one bathroom, the home is 110m² on a 549m² section.
Special features include a glasshouse in the garden, and a verandah with views of the harbour.
A MODERN TOWNHOUSE IN CENTRAL INVERCARGILL
The priciest and most contemporary, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom property at 155E Yarrow Street in central Invercargill could be right for someone wanting to run an Airbnb.
At 92m² of floor area, it doesn’t appear to come with a garden, but promises an easy walk to work in central Invercargill or for a wander in Queen’s Park.
Special features include a dishwasher, skylight, one bedroom with ensuite, and both bedrooms with their own entrances, making it ideal for hosting guests.