MT Roskill: Added value

Added value 13-15 MT ROSKILL ROAD, 

Phil Clark knows a good thing when he sees it. And the moment he saw the 1930s bungalow at 15 Mt Roskill Road, he knew it would be a good buy. 

Phil, a former electrician turned property investor, liked the fact that the do-up house - a deceased estate that had been owned by the same woman for around 70 years - was on a large section that could be subdivided. Better yet, the land was flat and northwest-facing. 

The house still had most of its original features, such as leadlight windows and beamed ceilings, and with its double bay windows there was great street appeal. 

"It hadn't been touched for many years, but that was good because it hadn't been mucked around with and ruined," says Phil. "The owner had kept it well-maintained - it was in mint condition." 

And then there was the location. Phil, a Wellingtonian, only moved to Auckland five years ago but quickly got a feel for the city, figuring out which areas were likely to become more popular in the future but were still affordable now. 

Mt Roskill was one area he pinpointed, thanks to its easy access to the city, proximity to the new SH20 motorway extension and the increasingly sought-after Mt Roskill Grammar. The school zone is a real drawcard, especially to those in the mid-range price bracket. 

So Phil jumped at the chance to buy number 15. And then he began to think about other possibilities. If buying one house in Mt Roskill Road was such a good idea, why not buy two? Luckily for Phil, the owners of the house next door at no 13 were happy to sell and he ended up with not one but two houses oozing potential. 

He has lots of ideas about what could be done with the properties, which are zoned 6A. 

"The land combined is nearly 2000sq m, which would allow you to build three houses at the back," he says. 

Or, both houses could be taken off the site and five new ones built. Another option could be to rent out one house and do up the other to live in. 

The house at number 13, which is around the same age as number 15, is a little more basic but still has lots of character. With a little bit of imagination and some skill with a hammer and paintbrush, it could be quite easily transformed, says Phil. 

Meanwhile number 15, with its good-sized rooms and original woodwork, could be fantastic. 

The lounge and main bedroom both have attractive window seats and there's ample storage with a built-in double wardrobe in that bedroom - something not often found in houses of this era. 

Both houses have three bedrooms. 

Number 15 has a garage, while there's room for off-street parking in front of number 13. 

"I guess everyone who comes to view the houses will have a different idea of what they would like to do," says Phil. "For me that was the really appealing thing about these properties - the great potential." 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 3+3 

BATHROOMS: 1+1 

GARAGE: 1* 

* NO. 13 HAS OFF-STREET PARKING FOR 5 CARS. 

SIZE: Land: 809sqm (no 13) and 1117sqm (no 15); total 1926sqm. Houses 94sq m (no 13) and 121sq m (no 15). 

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected around $1m. Auction April 8. 

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 12.30-1pm. 

CONTACT: Paul Raynes, Harveys, ph 846 3585 or 021 922 982. 

FEATURES: Neighbouring houses on nearly 2000sqm; both 1930s bungalows; potential to build another three homes on the land; flat, north-west facing sections; Mt Roskill Grammar zone.