Brand New by the Beach

A dream of enjoying a new home by the beach almost came true for Justin.

Originally from Taranaki, but living in Tauranga, Justin began planning a return home. ‘‘I grew up in Opunake, and I wanted to get a place between Opunake and New Plymouth, close to the beach, but in the country.’’

He found his ideal piece of land at 387 Tipoka Rd, just north of Rahotu. ‘‘I looked at a lot of land around Opunake and Okato, but this one shone out to me ... it’s right next to the beach. And it has a mountain view as well. So I positioned the house to get both views.’’

The section here is a 2008sqm (about a half-acre) flat portion of former farmland that’s close enough to the end of the road and the beach that, from the living area of his new home, he can watch the surf tumble in. And from both the master bedroom and the living area, there’s a view back to the mountain.

Yes, Justin got his new home. But he’s not living there; circumstances have changed and he is now staying put in Tauranga.

That’s good news for prospective buyers looking, as he was, to have a base on the beach. They can get a brand-new home, move straight in without the added hassle of planning and building, and then refine the setting and decor to suit themselves.

After buying the section, Justin worked with Navigation Homes to design and build the new home. ‘‘I wanted a bachy vibe,’’ he says.

That is exactly what visitors will find in place now, set back into the centre of the section. It’s a contemporary monopitch-roof home, a three-piece design clad in a combination of Linea boards and battened panels.

The taller centre portion contains the open-plan living area and the front is clad in grey-painted Linea boards. Bedrooms are the focus of the two lower portions clad in battened black panels with feature grey boards above the windows. The master bedroom is at left; and two more double bedrooms, the family bathroom, and the laundry are in the righthand section. The sides and back of the house are all finished in the battened black panels.

The presentation was a cautious choice for Justin, but he’s happy with the outcome. You could describe the cladding mix and its colours as ‘refined rustic’. A proposed front fence was going to be dark-stained timber to complement the house; but that choice, and the landscaping, is now being left to new owners to help make this property their own. The only remaining decision is the size and style of the deck they want at the front of the house.

Inside, Justin chose a neutral decor of white walls and ceilings, with dark carpet underfoot in the living area and bedrooms. In the classic whiteand-black kitchen, and in the bathrooms, the floors have the warm look of timber-styled vinyl.

The living area is light and airy – enhanced by the height of the raked ceilings and the extra windows in the high wall above the sliding door-entry. That sliding door frames the view out to the breaking waves – it’s an ever-changing artwork of green grass, tumbling white water and blue sky. You can guess that the deck that gets built here is going to be used a lot!

The master bedroom has the expected walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, and a side window that captures the mountain. A short hallway on the other side of the living area connects the other two double bedrooms, the main bathroom, and the separate laundry with its back-door access to the rear of the section.

Harcourts consultants Greer Thomas and Marty Suchy are

marketing the property.

Greer says this sale is a rare chance for someone to buy a brand-new home in the country and by the beach. ‘‘There are not a lot of new builds available in a location like this.’’

Prospective buyers could be a family, a retiring farmer, or just anyone who wants to live by the beach, she says. ‘‘Rahotu is just up the road, with Rahotu Tavern under new ownership; Opunake is not too far away; there’s the Coastal School at Okato; and it’s an easy drive to New Plymouth.’’

This is all Surf Highway 45 territory, of course, and there are world-class surf breaks north and south of Tipoka Rd. Fishing and boating are other recreational options along the coast, and there’s a boat ramp handy at Bayly Rd.

Pungarehu Golf Club is just north of Tipoka Rd, and the iconic Cape Egmont lighthouse can be found at the end of Cape Rd just a little further on.