320 Birdwood Road, Massey. Photo / Supplied
Peter Younger was seeking a large section still within Auckland's environs, and he says there were a whole lot of other features he also liked about this Golden Homes house in Massey.
"The house only being two years old, that was the appeal. I liked the land size that came with it; we went from a 450sq m section to 3500sq m section, and the location is near the Westgate and NorthWest shopping area and close to the Northwestern Motorway.
"I bought it in 2015. I liked that it is brick and tile, single level living, and has modern decor. I would describe it as executive living.
"The brick and tile is low-maintenance. And the single-level layout makes it easy to maintain. You don't have to vacuum stairs, and there is easy access to all the rooms and the outdoor areas."
Peter, who lives here with his partner and daughter, says the elevated setting on the section provides great semi-rural views out to the Red Hills area and Taupaki.
The driveway sweeps up to the double garage but they usually park on the driveway as the garage stores Peter's motorbike and outdoor equipment like the ride-on mower, and gym equipment.
Next to the garage is a bedroom/study, and the front door entry which opens into the open-plan living with lounge, dining and kitchen.
The kitchen has an island bench, plus butler's pantry.
Appliances are Fisher & Paykel and include double wall ovens, a ceramic hob, built-in microwave, dishwasher and an under-bench bar fridge as well as a standup fridge/freezer.
Outdoors, there are three areas for dining and relaxing.
"We have ranch sliders accessing the outdoor areas," says Peter. "A double ranch slider opens the whole front of the house, ranch slider at the back, and in the master bedroom to its outdoor area.
"We eat outside especially in the summer, it all gets used, both sides. We get the morning sun at the back and the afternoon sun at the front."
"And as the house is fully double-glazed, and because we get morning and afternoon sun throughout the full house and it is all insulated, we don't need extra heating."
The property is fully fenced with gated entry and landscaped with lawns and garden.
"We have planted front and back, mainly flax, and at the back we have star jasmine," he says.
Peter says Massey is handy to the motorway for anyone commuting to work, and that access also makes it easy for him to enjoy his interest in motorbikes.
"I do a lot of motorbiking. Basically, I am out the door and out in the countryside. I do a lot of riding up State Highway 16 through Kumeu up to Wellsford.
"I work in Auckland but I also travel a lot. Now that they have the Waterview Tunnel open, access to the airport is quick.
"I've been though a couple of times, it is probably going to be a 25-minute trip to the airport now from out Massey way.
"What makes it special are the space and the rural outlook, but we are selling because we want to downsize. We both work full time and are looking at getting a place with less land but a similar-sized home."