The dream of owning a comfortable, single-story home where everything is brand-new has become a reality for Vanessa and Bruce Strang.
After 47 years of marriage, the former North Shore residents partnered with award-winning residential building company Generation Homes to construct their first new-build home.
The Strangs selected a corner section that was a bit bigger than others in the subdivision and allowed for more privacy. They built a stylish three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a lounge, family room, kitchen and dining area, and a large outside deck.
With Vanessa’s love of cooking, she wanted a kitchen to suit her needs and added customised features such as a walk-in pantry, separate laundry room and double ovens.
What the couple loved most about their first build experience was the great service they received from the Generation Homes team, the guaranteed move-in date, and the streamlined process throughout the build.
BRUCE
We were living beside the bay on the North Shore in Auckland, and a lot of the houses are elevated two-stories. It was lovely living there with great sea views, but as we got older we wanted a one-level home and to experience having everything new.
BRUCE
We knew Generation Homes had a really good name and that they were an ethical building company. I have never heard a bad thing about them.
VANESSA
Having now lived here in Millwater, I have heard things about some of the other building companies, mainly regarding their delays. A lot of people we have talked to haven’t moved in on-time. There is a house across the road from us that had started building when we were just looking at our site and they moved in about eight months after us. That’s what is so good about Generation Homes - they give you a timeframe and you move in on the date they tell you.
BRUCE
It is a corner section, and we liked the idea of being on a corner. We don’t have neighbours on either side of us, so we don’t feel so closed in and there is more privacy.
VANESSA
This section was also a bit bigger than the others in the subdivision, which was another big reason for us picking this section.
VANESSA
Because I love cooking and have so many children and grandchildren, I wanted a huge pantry. Its large storage area holds all the things I use for cooking and entertaining. I also put in two ovens so that I can cook up a storm when we have family gatherings. It’s about 20 of us when we all gather together!
BRUCE
We also added an internal laundry room instead of including it as part of the garage, so that it has easy access to the outside. It leads directly outdoor to our garden area.
VANESSA
The outside is charcoal with white joinery. Inside is quite neutral. I wanted to go for a Scandinavian look. The art work enhances the room and looks great among the neutral colours. We put in charcoal carpet for a bit of a contrast.
VANESSA
Because we have a lot of grandchildren, I wanted to make the house easy to care for so that I didn’t have to worry when they were around. I have had them on skateboards in the family room, I don’t encourage it, but sometimes little ones just do things like that. We have tiles so it’s easy to clean up after them and the pets.
BRUCE
It was wonderful. Our consultant Suanne Jackson was marvellous; if we ever had a query or a problem, nothing was too much trouble. She was an absolute joy to work with and was so approachable and trustworthy. The team would always go the extra mile. If we ever wanted to come and look at the house, they would meet us there no problems and always made themselves available. It was an exciting adventure doing something like this.
VANESSA
It was very easy and a pretty streamlined build. We moved in on the date we were told, and I never doubted that we wouldn’t. The Generation Homes team looked after us superbly and it wasn’t stressful at all - it was a piece of cake.
VANESSA
One of the best things about it is that it’s warm. It’s double-glazed and well insulated, it’s just so easy to heat or keep cool. We have the ducted heat pump so the whole place can be kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter which is just lovely.
BRUCE
It’s very maintenance-free, which is great. It gives us more time on the weekends to be able to enjoy life and catch up with friends and family, because it’s all done. The only thing I have to see to is mowing the lawns.
VANESSA
Absolutely, yes.
BRUCE
Yes I would. I wasn’t keen on the idea of building in the first place because we had been in the same place for a while and it was where we raised our family. I also thought it was going to be very stressful to build. But it wasn’t and I’m really happy with our new home.