After spending fifty years in their first home, Colleen and Len Sears were surprised at the cost of existing, two-bedroom properties when they decided to downsize for retirement. They found building a five-bedroom home with award-winning residential building company, Generation Homes, much better value for money.
The couple selected a plot and plan package in the expanding town of Millwater, 30-minute outside Auckland city. Despite their initial intention to downsize, they built a spacious five-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a family room, living room, large dining area and kitchen, and double garage. The Sears felt it was a much smarter investment to make.
After a stress-free building experience, Colleen and Len moved into their dream home on-time. They enjoy the raised garden and pétanque course they’ve included in their outdoor area, and use the stairs installed to access the bank that runs down the back of their property.
LEN
We moved into our first home in 1967 and we moved out in 2017, almost 50 years later. We were originally looking to downsize, and so began viewing two-bedroom homes. We looked everywhere and what we saw was just so disappointing – everything needed to have a lot of work done on it.
COLLEEN
We were sitting in a small two-bedroom home with a real estate agent one day; the carpet had been there for 60 years, the bathroom was disgusting, the bedrooms were dark and dingy, the kitchen was outdated and the outside area was just run down. We were going to have to pay lot of money for the home, and then a lot more on top of that to make it liveable - and we thought, what’s the point? We had already seen Generation Homes plans for a five-bedroom home and although it wasn’t exactly downsizing, it was a nice new build and value for money. It’s a much smarter investment as our new home isn’t going to lose its value.
COLLEEN
We decided that we weren’t ready for a retirement village. I wanted to live in a community and be close enough to our children to be useful, but not close enough that we were a burden. We went into a Generation Homes showhome one afternoon and it just had a really nice feel about it – the workmanship was really good. We were told there was a site available, and although it wasn’t the “downsized” house that we were originally looking for the price was really affordable. Everyone we spoke to said that Generation Homes had a good name and were known for getting the job done on-time.
LEN
We found that a lot of other new building companies didn’t supply everything like fencing or concreting, and we didn’t want to have to worry about that. We wanted to be able to move in and just enjoy it.
COLLEEN
I always liked the Millwater area, so Len and I went to go have a look around. In our new home, we are thirty minutes from one daughter and twenty-five minutes from another daughter.
LEN
There are medical facilities and shops close to us here. I go to the gym down the road and we have the beach and great walks in Millwater. We have really nice neighbours here – it’s just a nice area.
COLLEEN
Outside, we went a light beige brick matched with a black roof. Inside we have white ceilings and doors, and the walls are a light tea colour, which we have carried right through the house. There are tiles in the bathroom but I’ve chosen to have a floating floor in the main entrance and kitchen. I haven’t done under floor heating so the floating floor is warmer than tiles and it’s seamless as you follow through into the kitchen.
LEN
We have a raised vegetable garden and I put in a pétanque course, which takes up most of the area so I don’t have much lawn to cut. We also really enjoy our outdoor entertainment area that is covered so we can use it all-year round. It has great indoor-outdoor flow and we use it quite a bit.
COLLEEN
I know lots of other people who have been messed around by their builders. We are happy that we went with Generation Homes. We hadn’t built in 50 years so we really wanted to be building with someone we trusted. I found Generation Homes to be a caring firm and they try to help you understand the process.
LEN
It was good to have consultant Trevor lead the job because he was such an expert and I felt like I could relate to him. Once we decided to go ahead with the build and the council gave permission for the foundations, Generation Homes drew up a plan with an accompanying timeline. Despite rain impacting the start of the project, we moved in when they said we would. Everything was explained to us and we felt that we were listened to. Generation homes took a lot of pressure and stress off Colleen and I.
COLLEEN
The rooms are a lovely size. The dining room is large enough that we were able to keep the huge table we had. I also enjoy having a separate living room and family room. Len thinks the things I want to watch on the television are silly, but now we can watch what we want since we have two televisions!
LEN
The house is so vast, so you’re not cramped in any of the rooms because it’s built to cater. That’s a big thing. We also have wonderful views out to the ocean and can see out into the neighbourhood.
LEN
Every time.
COLLEEN
Yes, we would build with them again.
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