Whether you need a foot in the door or you want to grow your assets, this collection of do-ups from across New Zealand have serious potential
Climb the property ladder with these 7 do-ups from across the country
There are two main categories of house hunters – those who go to open homes and fall in love with the vendors’ furniture and interior design cool; and those clever types blessed with imagination, creativity and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get down and dirty with a bit of DIY. Here’s our pick of some promising do-up properties:
1. Move on up in Avondale
Okay, this place is rough but it offers a great opportunity for a serious doer-upper as the neighbourhood is on the up and up and the original 50s weatherboard home has solid potential. The living room has fabulous polished hardwood flooring and only needs a bit of a refresh to be an inviting space and it would be worth checking out the fireplace to see what needs to be done to get it working again.
The spacious kitchen area is just waiting for a radical makeover to become an entertaining hub. On the upside the four bedrooms only need some fresh paint, curtain treatments and statement bedding. They are all a good size, and two have inbuilt wardrobes. The bathroom is the real challenge and it may be worth studying the floor plan to see how things can best be reconfigured to make best use of the separate laundry space.
The big transformation will come from wrestling with the 607m2 freehold section to make the most of this sunny, level space so close to the city.
2. A solid start in Christchurch
This Christchurch property has that all important location, location, location being only 15 minutes drive to the CBD and easy walking distance to Northland Mall. The vendor has loved living here for 34 years and this 1970s ranch-style home has great bones that are begging for an updated look.
There’s huge potential to open up the interior to the private section and a splash of paint and new window treatments will help to bring a light touch to the living areas. The three bedrooms are all a generous size and just need your personal touch.
But the key to unlocking the potential of this property will be a revamped kitchen and bathroom and a bit of care and attention to the entranceway will reveal what a gorgeous babe this home really is.
3. So much potential in Wellington
Calling all interior decorators…this Lower Hutt home is a dream come true for anyone who wants to exercise their flair and rescue it from the 1980s design hangover. Wonders can be achieved with paint, paper, new drapery and light fittings, then move in your furniture and fall in love with the charming features of this three-bedroom bungalow.
There is a bonus attic space with a balcony that could be a perfect teenage retreat or home office. A three-car garage is waiting for the man of the house who’ll love cranking up the barbie on the sunny deck. Close to schools, the hospital and Lower Hutt centre this one has family retreat written all over it.
4. Grab an Art Deco dream in Invercargill
Calling all Art Deco enthusiasts – this little beauty in Windsor, Invercargill waiting to be rescued, just remove the clutter and the clean proportions of this three bedroom home will be revealed. Sure the décor is tired but there is nothing major structurally that needs to be done to make this a charming home. Start by stripping out the curtains to flood the living area with light from the feature windows and reveal the plasterwork detailing of the architraves and ceiling.
The three double bedrooms just need a touch of design flair to become warm, welcoming retreats. The kitchen and bathroom both need a total makeover – but that’s what a do-up is, right?
Outside the 543m2 section is a lovely level blank canvas which can easily be transformed with a bit of gardening grunt into a lovely haven to relax and entertain. Simply replace the aluminium sliders opening to the garden with wooden-framed French doors and you’ll have transformed this house into a very livable home with a distinctive personality.
5. Just a quick fix in Dunedin
This Dunedin home ticks all the boxes if you want the chance to indulge your penchant for home decorating without having to do any serious hard labour – it’s been in the same family for all of its 64 years, and they’ve lavished a lot of love and attention on it.
New curtains, light fittings and feature wallpaper are all that is needed to glam up the light and sunny living area and you can have fun in the kitchen buying some new appliances and choosing new tapware, cabinetry handles and flooring to totally refresh this space.
Once you’ve personalised the three double bedrooms with new cushions and covers, and popped a few pot plants and a statement mirror in the bathroom, you’ll be all set to relax and enjoy your new home.
6. Take it easy in Stanmore Bay
This is a classic do-up which is perfectly livable as is – a lick of paint, new curtains and new light fittings are the first easy step to brightening up this little cottage in Stanmore Bay, Auckland. Putting in a new bathroom is a must but the kitchen can be updated when funds allow. The bedrooms could do with new floor treatments and a general refresh, but it’s the stonking 1019m2 garden that is the real sleeping beauty at this property.
Some creative landscaping will give you an outdoor room to relax in over summer, and there’s plenty of scope to add French doors to the living area and a deck out the front for that all-important indoor/outdoor flow.
7. Classic character in Napier
This gorgeous girl has character in spades with its exceptional timber detailing, ornamental ceilings, high studs and feature leadlight windows. This classic bungalow offers creative buyers the perfect chance to add value by updating the kitchen to make the most of its spacious footprint and connection to the back deck and pretty garden for easy entertaining.
Update the kitchen and make the most of its spacious footprint and connection to the back deck and pretty garden for easy entertaining.
The three bedrooms will benefit from a refresh and once the bathroom is renovated to a standard that this home deserves, you’ll have a truly exceptional home.
Words by: Sarah Beresford.
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