Avondale Quarter. Photo / Supplied
Avondale is a bit like Grey Lynn from 10 or 15 years ago, says Jon Sandler, the property manager for 27 terraced houses and apartments in a private enclave just off the main shops.
"If you look at the shops there's a 'Grey Lynnesque' feel to them," he says.
"That means that they're eclectic shops; a lot of differing businesses. It just has a vibe — it's a village vibe, a community vibe, as opposed to being a multinational strip of cookie cutter-type shops.
"You've got the Polynesian Food (takeaway over the road), computers next door, a pharmacy next door, there's a greengrocer next door that way, there's a supermarket a block away."
Transport options are also right on your doorstep if you decide to buy in a location that could hardly be better, Jon says.
The development of affordable homes started three to four years ago with a first stage of 11 terraced houses, all made of tilt slab solid concrete and double glazed, followed by a further seven terraces which are a mix of three and four bedrooms.
The four bedroom places have a second toilet so if someone wanted to have AirB&B they could do that, Jon says, "bearing in mind we're right in the middle of the Avondale township and two minutes directly to the train and Lynmall and those sort of things, so that's an income earning opportunity for somebody."
The final stage of the complex — nine apartments — were completed in February last year.
All the homes have full Codes of Compliance and were built to the exacting high standards of the Auckland Council, Jon says.
"They've been built to last because they were intended for a long-term hold by the owners, whose position has changed just a little bit and they're looking to liquidate some of their assets in New Zealand before they do some other bits and bobs.
"You can't get better than central Avondale in terms of capital gain in terms of the way the market is. If we look at where property traditionally gets increases of value it's around transport hubs, it's around infrastructure of motorways and that sort of thing.
"Effectively here we're two minutes from motorways that can take you either north, east, south or west, and if you look at the pricing in Herne Bay, the pricing in Westmere, the
pricing in Pt Chev, the city is moving this way so Avondale is the next suburb to go up and through the roof."
Some apartments look out to the Avondale Race Course and beyond so you can grab your binoculars and watch the races, and the Avondale market is held there on Sundays, which is a great chance to buy produce and rub shoulders with other locals, plus there are cafes and more which will open.
"It's a nice area that will continue to be up and coming."
The homes have had tenants but only for the past 12 months, so people will be buying what is effectively a new home but for less than buying apartments off the plan, Jon says.
They all feature Fisher and Paykel appliances, stone top benches and Feltex carpet. The newest are the ones looking out to the racecourse which Jon jokingly calls the "Trump Tower" of Avondale: "It's the tallest building, all three levels of it, in Avondale."
There is a high speed lift, video intercom systems, HRV systems, and plenty of room plus the enclave's body corporate allows pets.
Once you walk up the short driveway off the main road you are in a quiet haven, he says.
"You wouldn't even know you're in the middle of suburban Auckland."