Afternoon sun – the x-factor in pricey property
Hamilton, Queenstown and Wellington are home to some of the country’s most expensive non-Auckland real estate. Auckland has long had the highest number of million-dollars homes of anywhere in the country. But now real estate data website Homes.co.nz has compiled a list of the priciest residential properties throughout the rest of New Zealand. Two properties on Hamilton’s Pembroke St, bordering Lake Rotoroa, worth $17.2 million and $15.8m, top the list. A Queenstown lifestyle block comes in third and a Wellington apartment complex in fourth. Homes.co.nz’s chief data scientist Tom Lintern said there were a number of factors that set the priciest properties apart. ‘‘Lifestyle properties offer the convenience of being close to town, but provide a semi-rural environment to enjoy,’’ he said. ‘‘These, particularly near Queenstown, are demanding some of the highest prices in the country.’’ However, the most expensive properties in a market were usually ‘‘pretty unique’’ and difficult to value. Real Estate Institute chief executive Bindi Norwell said the size of the house and land was a driver of price. But other factors that contributed to a top-priced property included architectural design, a high-end kitchen, a beautiful garden, quality chattels in the ensuites, a pool that could be accessed from the kitchen and dining room, good levels of natural light and having a selfcontained segment of the property for a nanny or au pair. Property blogger and real estate agent Andrew Duncan agreed light was important. ‘‘The biggest variance between properties offering similar space in a similar location comes from sun-aspect. It can have a massive impact on value. ‘‘Afternoon sun is the most preferable to buyers.’’ He said indoor-outdoor flow was also on most buyers’ wishlists. ‘‘Nothing charms buyers like french doors opening to a deck drenched in afternoon sun.’’ Schools were also vital for many buyers, he said. ‘‘This is most prevalent in Auckland where one side of the street can be zoned for a different school than the opposite side, creating massive variance in value for properties in the same suburb.’’