Parakai: Pearl of an opportunity

Crying out for someone to get stuck in and take this property to its full potential, this lifestyle section is conveniently located close to the growing township of Parakai. By CEDRIC GRAY.

It is not a project for the faint-hearted, but this 1.513ha property near Helensville could end up a pearl for anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and tap into its potential.

To quote an often-used expression, usually confined to an urban suburb, the infrastructure is already in place - a freshly renovated home of three bedrooms, a 600sq m plastic house as an income-earner, free-draining pasture and ample water supply.

The property, known as Parkhurst, is at 28 Evans Rd, a few kilometres west of the Parakai township. It is close to the Kaipara Harbour, the South Head golf course and the trout fishing lakes near South Kaipara heads.

Parakai is a township on the move. Widely known for its aquatic park, it is about to welcome its first major residential subdivision, comprising 55 sections. Work on the subdivision was expected to be completed this week and all sections have sold.

Until it was subdivided, this property was part of a neighbouring dairy farm. There are three paddocks, which are newly fenced but in poor pasture. To reach its potential as a hobby farm, new grass would need to be sown and, perhaps, some of the shelter trees felled to allow for full sunlight and make the most of the rural views.

The computerised plastic house offers interesting possibilities. It has its own entrance from Evans Rd, it is sturdily constructed and well-sheltered. Two large tanks provide water from the plastic catchment, the overflow flowing to a nearby pond as an additional water reserve for stock use.

A shade house of about 150sq m and a small packing shed share the site.

The house has been made comfortable by complete interior restoration. New kitchen appliances include the stove, rangehood and dishwasher. The interior has been re-painted, and new carpets and lino laid. The neat kitchen, however, retains its warm wood panelling, and flows nicely to the dinette and family lounge. A wide, wrap-around veranda is ideal for indoor-outdoor entertaining.

A spacious paved courtyard, complete with barbecue area, a covered spa pool and night lighting, nestles behind a double garage and a double carport. There is a small orchard, which would benefit from more sunlight, and a spacious lawn in front of the house.

The property is for sale through Norwest Real Estate, Helensville, at an asking price of $385,000. For more information contact John Ruzich on 420 8623.