Christmas house wish comes true

QUICK DEAL: Samantha Martin and her two boys Aston (left), 11, and Devon, 9, are leaving their home in Bethlehem for a new one in Pyes Pa.PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

While most Tauranga families were doing last-minute shopping, loading the car or preparing food on Christmas Eve, Samantha and Campbell Martin were buying their new home.

The Bethlehem couple, who have four children, viewed the Pyes Pa property at 9.45am on December 24, were home by about 11am, and owned the property by 5pm that day. The brick and tile house had not been on the market 24 hours when the Martins became one of two groups of potential owners to be shown through by agents during a busy holiday season.

Mrs Martin said she felt for the owner of the home, who probably expected to market the property after Christmas, being forced to rush her children out the door on Christmas Eve.

But with another cash buyer viewing the house and properties "going left, right and centre" she knew they needed to act fast.

"We've put offers on two houses and just been too late," she said.

The couple's own home, which they renovated to accommodate Mrs Martin's parents, had been on the market since July but once it sold they needed to vacate by January 28.

The had created a short-list of five houses but none were available within the short time frame, or the owners wanted the Martins to pay above asking price as compensation for them taking possession early.

Despite having seen their new home for only 15 minutes they were sold on the solid construction, layout and the fact it was only seven years old.

"We've only spent 15 minutes there but the pictures online are really good. It's a really good area. It had exactly what we wanted, where we wanted it."

Mrs Martin praised their agent, Rose Tondi from Ray White Mount Maunganui, for guiding them through a nervous time trying to get the deal done over the holidays. "She just helped us every step of the way."

The Martins, who are heavily involved in 16th Avenue Theatre, are also preparing for opening night for the Youth Theatre's performance of The Little Big Theatre Company. "I'm trying to pack by day and I'm at the theatre at night," Mrs Martin said.