Beech, rimu and peace
Beech, Rimu and Peace.
Modern house on 6Ha. (15 acres) of mature bush. Down a kilometre of fern-banked gravel driveway through the bush is a stylish house, an old cottage and some open grassy areas set in native forest. The area is quiet, sheltered and rarely windy. The only sound is bird song.
Price: The GV is 770,000. This reflects the value of the land and a house of this quality/size but not the value of the forest and the nature of the property. Offers in excess of $880k
The house
The house was completed in 2002. It is open plan, light and airy and features bifold doors onto decks (4), maple flooring, and gently curved roofs and ceilings. There are two bedrooms, or, as house is now used, a bedroom with a separate dressing room and a studio upstairs. The house has a central vacuum system.
The cottage
The cottage was built around 1950 but has a new roof and kitchen. It does show its age and its layout reflects its complex history. Could suit teenagers, guests, or be an office or studio. The house and cottage form a horseshoe shape garden facing the sun.
Heating
There are Norwegian wood burners in both houses. Additional heating is from two gas heaters in the main house and a heat pump in the cottage.
Bathrooms
There are three bathrooms, two in the house, one of which is an ensuite with a tub, and one in the cottage. There is also a covered outdoor bath.
Services
The water supply comes from a reliable bush spring. Waste-water goes to a standard septic tank with no motor involved and minimal maintenance needed. There is a large laundry room in the house and another in the cottage.
Workshop, shed
There is a large weatherproof shed above the house with a covered wood storage area. The garage-sized workshop has internal access to house.
Road access
The drive is an old logging road and is maintained by all five users. Drains under the road are effective and marked by waratahs. They need checking and clearing a few times each winter.
Garage, carport and parking
There is a single garage with internal access to the house, and an adjoining carport. There is good additional parking.
Birds - 34 species seen.
Tui, tomtits, fantails, tui, pigeons, morepork and grey warblers are common, bellbirds are heard daily. Whiteheads are occasional visitors.
Forest
Mature beech with three old rimu, estimated to be at least 400 years old. At least ten species of native orchids and many ferns.
Conservation
Possum numbers are low, and many rat-bait stations permanently in place. They have been filled regularly before the nesting season each year. Gorse, once a problem, is now minimal. Goats, deer, pigs, wasps . . . all part of rural living, not major problems.
Open Land.
There are five open areas, each with its own character:
A colourful flower garden between house and cottage.
Opposite the house, on a NE facing slope with several fruit trees, chicken coup and greenhouse, is area that could be terraced for more vegetable garden.
Below the drive is the large existing raised sunny vegetable/berry garden.
Above the house is an old milling site. It’s a mowed area called ‘the camping place’.
At the bottom of the property is a small open meadow. A second stream bounds this area.
Walking tracks. There are several walking tracks and routes around the property as well as access to an unformed legal road that borders the bottom of the property and winds uphill to Sierra Way. Additionally access to walking tracks on the farmland has always been available.
This property feels remote but is only 6 kms from Silverstream, 3kms to Pinehaven School, the Playcentre and the local library.
