PROPERTY DETAILS
By Mike Shaw
Two homes for the price of one – that’s the appeal of 14 Ropata St in Hawera for prospective buyers.
The first home they will see on arrival here is a fully renovated two-bedroom residence, with a single separate garage alongside. The property presents an attractive face to the street, with a new timber front fence and concrete driveway, and the house and garage finished in contemporary colours of grey, white and charcoal.
Walk along the path between the house and garage and you find the bonus one-bedroom accommodation behind, and the rest of the traditional quarteracre (1012sqm) Kiwi section.
Today’s pleasing presentation is a credit to the work that owners Kim and Richard have completed here.
‘‘We fell in love with a quarter acre of weeds and knew this was something we could enjoy tidying. Relocating the selfcontained cottage into the garden has provided a close family unit and yet still allows separate living. A back roller door on the garage gives good access to the back of the yard.’’
The main home is a stuccoclad design built in 1956, but which now offers the comforts and conveniences expected of a modern home. ‘‘We have lived here seven years and have enjoyed transforming the house into a warm home that suits our family.’’
Changes to the original home are obvious on arrival, starting with the three aluminiumframed bay windows across the front of the house. There are more at the back, and a conservatory entrance to welcome visitors.
Inside, the rooms are fresh and airy – an advantage of those bay windows that seem to draw in extra light. A neutral decor of white walls and grey carpet is warmed by the presence of polished original floorboards in the kitchen, hallway and bedrooms.
The new kitchen commissioned by Kim and Richard is large and wellappointed. There is white cabinetry, pale marbled laminate bench tops, white splashback tiles with a contrasting strip of earthy coloured mosaic tiles, a pantry painted in a contrasting shade of brown, a gaselectric cooker, and a mobile island bench. The latter can be easily moved on its castor wheels to wherever in the room it can be best used.
A heat pump in the adjacent lounge offers cooling or heating depending on the season, and is complemented by a DVS system. ‘‘The DVS system is best thing ever. With insulation, it makes this home toasty in winter.’’
The bathroom has also been fully refurbished and is a flexible, dual-purpose space, large enough to accommodate laundry services and extra storage cupboards.
Extra space is also available in a good-sized work room beneath the house, fitted with convenience of kitchenette facilities.
That relocated cottage has been upgraded and decorated to a similar high standard as the main house. In the open-plan living area, there’s another white kitchen, but finished with a dark benchtop rather than light. A double bedroom and another renewed bathroom complete the cottage.
The rear of the section slopes gently away from the house and provides plenty of space for a family to enjoy. The concrete curve of a raised rose garden is a central feature, followed by a well-clipped hedge that copies
Location:
Hawera.
Land area:
1012sqm.
Price:
Enquiries over $499,000 invited.
Viewing:
By appointment.
Website:
www.smithbishop. co.nz/1196343
Agent:
Khali Bishop, Licensed Agent REAA 2008.
Phone:
027 759 3398.
Email:
khali@smithbishop.co.nz 14 Ropata St,
the curve. Raised vegetable gardens and a small fruit orchard are located at the bottom of the section, adding productivity to its pleasing presentation.
Smith+Bishop consultant Khali Bishop says this property is a great opportunity for people looking for a tidy and wellmaintained home with the added bonus of a separate dwelling. ‘‘This dwelling provides the perfect space for guests, extended family members, or even to be rented out for extra income.’’