Titirangi do-up set for family project in latest DIY reality television show

The Scenic Drive property bought for the new TV show features plenty of land, a multicoloured kitchen, a colourful bathroom and a patio that sits on a concrete water tank that leaks.

A small fibre-cement-board do-up cottage on a large tree-lined site in the Waitakere Ranges has been bought for TVNZ's new DIY reality show, Our First Home.

"The buyers are a young couple," said Harcourts agent Celia Challis, who confirmed the property was purchased in connection with the upcoming prime-time show.

The 1244sq m site, 70sq m house, separate garage and lots of trees went for $480,000 at an auction on Saturday. That was $80,000 above the 2014 Auckland Council valuation.

The house is a DIY dream, featuring original wallpaper and outdated interior decor that is crying out for some attention.

Fans of home renovation programmes will have mere months to wait for the new show following the end last month of the popular series three of The Block on TV3, in which Alex and Corban Walls made a profit of $307,000 from their efforts in Auckland's Pt Chevalier.

Filming has started on the new series, to be hosted by Goran Paladin, of Radio Sport. It will feature three families of mum, dad and a live-at-home grown-up child, plus partner.

Each family will renovate an Auckland house to sell for a profit to use as a deposit for the young ones' first homes.

The Titirangi house fits the bill of worst house in a good street. A deceased estate, it has had only one owner. Built in about 1953, it is described by real estate firm Harcourts as a "renovator" that still has the original wallpaper.

Promotional photos show a kitchen painted in faded shades of blue, pink, yellow and white, with similar hues in the bathroom.

The patio sits on a concrete water tank that leaks.

Situated on Scenic Drive, the house could boast sweeping views of the city if only it were tall enough to top the site's many trees. Harcourts says an upper level could be added if the necessary council approval was forthcoming.

A council official said the property is zoned Waitakere Ranges Environment.

A TVNZ spokeswoman remained tight-lipped. "We cannot confirm anything at this stage and the mechanics of the show are confidential."

However, she said families who were set to appear in the show were making offers on homes and the series would screen next year.

Their first home
*Scenic Drive, Titirangi
*2 bedrooms
*Cladding: fibre-cement weatherboards
*House area: 70sq m
*Site: 1244 sq m
*2014 council capital valuation: $400,000
*Purchase price: $480,000
*Zone: Waitakere Ranges Environment