Making a dream become reality

2 Alfred St, Northcote, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Sometimes it's time to stop dreaming and just jump in. For Chris Cox-Hancy, the kicker came six years ago when she decided to train for her first ironman. Six bikes, three blogs and a book later, she is so committed to her sport and the lifestyle that she and partner

Liza are moving to Kinloch, near Taupō, where she can train to her heart's content.

The only downside is selling the Northcote Point house the couple have loved. That house
was Liza's find when they moved from Christchurch in 2011.

"I grew up in Torbay when it was horse paddocks, I lived on the Shore all my life, so it had to be here when we moved up," says Liza.

The busy women, who own a consultancy business, liked that the 1960s house had been done up by previous owners. The two storey brick house had been plastered, modern glass-edged decking had been put in and the unusual wedge-shaped section was levelled and retained.

The couple kept the secure gate but a vigorous working bee with friends dealt to the ramshackle collection of trees, over-grown yucca and aloe vera.

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The neighbour's property still bears signs of the orchards that used to cover this part of Northcote Point before the bridge went in.

2 Alfred St, Northcote, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Decor was updated with modern white paint and charcoal carpets, and the women were delighted to find that refinishing the original rimu floors revealed a Scandi-style low gloss, pale wood.

The pair love to entertain, so the new kitchen was perfectly suited to their style, with a wall of pantries and china storage, Miele gas cooktop and wall oven. They never did get around to putting in a double fridge, but the cavity and plumbing are there for the next owner to indulge.

Their favourite spot is the sunny dining room corner, big enough for a table for eight, which overlooks Shoal Bay and views as far as Rangitoto and North Head.

In summer, they open french doors to the deck, in winter it's the wood fire that attracts the crowds. They've added insulation and central heating so that the house is toasty warm.

Gorgeous bathrooms were a must, so the upstairs family bathroom and master were upgraded with new vanities and fixtures and hexagonal tiles on the shower and bevelled subway tiles on the wall. LED lighting through the house updates everything, too. They think that their master bedroom, with en suite and closet, has the best views of sunrise and the water.

2 Alfred St, Northcote, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

The second bedroom upstairs is well used by visiting kids, doubling as office space when the pair work from home.

Downstairs makes the most of the flat section with a music room opening to a paved patio. Liza's dad's pianola has pride of place, there's shelves for books and records, but the room could be a great bedroom for teenagers. There's another bedroom bathroom and laundry down here.

The carpeted double garage is big enough for Chris' bike collection and workshop, and there's a third carport under the deck.

"Everything is so close — there's a boat ramp at Sulphur Point that nobody knows about, we're minutes from the ferry," says Liza. "It was our five-year plan to move out of the city, and we're on the way already."

"I can be running through the bush, round the beaches, yet it's all so close to the city," says Chris. "But when we're in Kinloch, everything slows down, and our life will be very different."

2 ALFRED ST, NORTHCOTE POINT
• 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 parking spaces.
• Land 579sq m, house 210sq m.
• Sale price: CV $1.575 million.
• Inspect: Sat/Sun 11-11.30am.
• Auction: Aug 2, 1.30pm.
• Schools: Northcote Primary, Intermediate, College.
• Contact: Chris Batchelor, Bayleys, 021 217 7026, bayleys.co.nz/1670929