Original subtitles

- I'm on a hunt to help find everyday Kiwis their perfect country house.

Things are a little different out here in the country.

You still have the hustle and bustle.

Your neighbours can sometimes be a bit noisy.

Time moves a little slower.

But you don't get this...

in the city.

Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.

www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2024

Today I'm on a mission to help find Julie and Merv their dream house.

Now, these two, they have been around the block quite a few times. Quite literally.

They've lived in over 30 different houses in their time.

They are passionate about buying and selling property, but they are ready to settle down.

And they know this town, Greytown, like the back of their hand.

So am I gonna be able to find them a hidden gem?

Let's find out.

Today we're helping a couple of house-hunting aficionados

finally drop the anchor on a new home in Greytown.

- So, Julie and I actually owned a home in this street...

- Yeah. - ...just further down.

- We've actually owned three houses in the street, Mervy.

Number 17A, 17B, and the corner of East.

Can I repeat that?

- Which means these two won't settle for anything less than perfect.

Are you feeling like this could be an option for you, Merv?

- I'll tell you later. - OK.

- We need to get through it first. - If we have a look first.

- So, let's see if I'm able to rise to the challenge as I walk them through three gorgeous properties,

all with something to offer.

- Hi, I'm Merv, and this is my lovely wife, Julie.

We've been in Greytown now 17 years. - 17 years.

Yeah. - We came from Sydney because our daughter got married in Greytown,

and when we arrived in Greytown ― we'd never been here before ―

we just fell in love with this lovely township. - Yeah.

- It's a beautiful village.

And consequently, when we resigned, coming back to New Zealand, we settled in Greytown.

- Yeah, and we love it. - And we absolutely love it. - It's lovely.

We've been married too long, haven't we, Merv?

- Julie and I actually have been married 52 years.

Love at first sight.

And second and third and fourth.

I wouldn't trade Julie in for all the tea in China.

We've had an amazing life, moving from city to city, and at the moment,

we really appreciate what we've done, where we've been,

and we wouldn't change anything. - Yeah.

We've actually lived all over, haven't we? Northland, Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney.

And we've just had so much fun buying houses.

We actually buy them, do them up and sell them on.

We've done 34. - I like a project. Julia loves a project.

- I love a project too. - She's extremely clever when it comes to interior design work.

And we just enjoy it.

- We'd be happy to spend up to 2.5.

So anything under that would be really good, that we can add to it.

- Just an hour's drive from Wellington,

Greytown is home to a myriad of excellent Victorian colonial architecture

and a load of top notch shops that are really worth visiting.

It's a wonderful place that Julie and Merv have decided to settle,

so let's waste no time and check out our first property.

Kia ora, Julie. How are ya? - Nice to meet you.

- And Merv.

So, we're looking for a home.

You've renovated so many houses over the years, haven't you?

I mean, over 30 places you've bought and renovated? - We're on number 34 now.

- Holy moly. So you know what you're doing in terms of property. - No wonder we're exhausted.

Yeah.

So, the house that we're looking for now, is this gonna be one that you're looking to renovate

or do you reckon the renovations are done and now it's time to settle in?

- We think done. - I think so. - Do we think done?

- Very much so. - Done and dusted. Something easy. - Yeah.

- Well, Julie's background is high-end ladies fashion.

She's worked for Gucci and Armani, so it comes to her naturally.

In terms of decor, colour, she's very, very good at it.

And I'd like to have the opportunity to establish a garden. - OK.

- And that would be my wish to actually establish something from start.

- I've got three fantastic options to show you today, starting off with this one.

Now, this is just on the market. It's a high-spec build -

three bedrooms, single level, as you see, just bordering an orchard. - Yep.

- Double garage.

How do you like the style of the home so far? - Love it.

- Yeah? - Board and batten's our thing,

isn't it Merv? - One of our favourites, yeah. - We love it, don't we? Yeah.

- Shall we head inside and take a look around? - Let's do it.

- Come on in.

OK. Welcome in.

Brand-new home. Brand-new home smell and feel. - Paint.

Yeah. Yep, it is.

Welcome to the heart of the home, though.

This is the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area.

Obviously, being brand-new, it's trendy, it's nice. - Mm, it is.

- It's fancy, isn't it? Obviously, it's got the kitchen island here.

There's a butler's pantry, all your mod con appliances,

lots of light coming through, and the dual ranch sliders on to decks either side.

- It's a good size, isn't it? It's a good space. It's spacious. - Mm.

- It's not too enclosed with fencing and things, which is a good feel. - Mm-hm.

- It does need, I think, colour... - Right. - ...texture and pattern.

- OK. - But that's what we do.

- All right. Well, that's just the heart of the home. Plenty more to see.

So why don't you guys take a good look around,

and I think I'll just be outside in the sun.

- Well, this is a good size. I love this.

Lovely it gets the early sun.

- It's a beautiful family home. - It is.

- You've got two living areas.

You've got the en suite. - Mm.

- Lovely dressing room and the master bedroom here. It's beautifully designed.

- Yep. - It's a lovely home. - It is.

- Lovely home. - Yeah.

How much do you think it's worth?

Or what would you pay for it? - Well, the market has dropped a little bit.

- It has. - Nationally. Not only Greytown. - Mm.

- But I would say around about 1.6.

- Mm. I was thinking 1.6, 1.7.

But then again, you've got to consider...

- Landscaping and also... - Landscaping and also curtains,

blinds, etc. - Drapes, yeah. - Drapes.

It's a good buy at that if, you know, someone can actually get it for that.

Hello. Welcome out. Hi again.

- I've renamed this backyard Merv's Playground. - Thank you.

- You can do whatever you like out here. You've got a blank slate to create your own perfect garden.

Taking a look at the space, what do you reckon you'd do? - Exactly what I was looking for.

I enjoy having a good lawn and maintaining it.

- Whereas I think that it's too much, as in, from absolute scratch.

- Right. OK. - At our age, it's a lot to start with.

Backyard doesn't concern you, yeah. - Yeah? No.

Cos it gives me an opportunity to stamp my character on it.

It would be a real challenge, which I'd enjoy.

- Let's talk about what this property is valued at.

What's your gut feel?

- I would say around about 1.6,

which I believe is where the market lies at the moment. - Yeah.

- Yeah, so they're looking at around 1.5, offers over 1.5.

You might get it for 1.5, 1.6,

meaning you would have a little bit of wiggle room in your budget

to do those things you need to do.

Well, it's time for us to move on to house number two and get out of this gale.

- Let's get out of it. - It's blowing a gale, isn't it? - Doesn't blow here.

It never blows in Greytown. Never. Oh, really? Well, something's going on today.

Come on. Here we go.

Coming up ― we explore two more extraordinary homes.

And later ― something you must see to 'bee-lieve'.

- After decades of buying and selling houses,

Julie and Merv are looking to finally settle down here in Greytown.

The first property was effortlessly elegant, and our couple saw the potential in its parts,

but the aesthetics in this next home are just as alluring.

All right. Well, the first thing I'm noticing, it's a stark contrast from the first house, isn't it,

which was a very white house. - Exactly. No, you're right.

- It's a really sleek, modern-looking place, this one.

Beautiful four-bedroom home. You can see it's a mono pitched house.

I think in terms of style, I'm hoping this might suit you two.

- I like it... - Yeah? - ...a lot.

- OK. - Yeah, a lot. - Certainly different.

- Are you feeling like this could be an option for you, Merv?

- I'll... tell you later. - OK.

- Keep it under your hat. - And we have a look first.

Let's keep things close to your chest for now. Let's get inside.

- OK. - Wow. - Yeah.

- Wow.

- So that dark exterior is matched with the dark interior as well. - It is.

- Big, open-plan kitchen/living/dining, similar to the first house we looked at.

The brass splashback. - Yes. - Really sticks out, doesn't it?

- Love it. - Just how the house completely opens up.

- Half the house has actually gone, hasn't it? It looks wonderful.

- Do you like it, lovey? - Oh, I think it's amazing. - Yeah, it's just gorgeous.

- It's a really easy care section as well. It is.

- It is, yeah. - Absolutely. - So in terms of maintenance,

this house would be, you know―

Merv, you'd be running around every now and then with a lawnmower. - A robo.

But other than that... He doesn't do lawn mowing.

- Doesn't he? - He does robo-ing.

- Robo-ing?! - He's got a robo.

- Oh, a robot lawnmower? - Robotic. Oh, yes.

- Well, they don't talk back. - They don't argue.

- You don't have to pay them overtime. He works six days a week.

- So no maintenance whatsoever.

Hey, lots to check out in this house.

I'm sure you're gonna love the rest of it, so go and have a look around.

- I'll see you soon. - Thanks, Matt.

Wow, this looks fabulous, doesn't it? - Julie, look at this. Yeah.

- If I'm not mistaken, there could be a bed behind there. - Oh, it could be too.

- It's a pull-down bed. Brilliant. - Yeah, I would say so.

- It could be yours. - Thanks very much.

- How do you feel about the whole house?

- I feel that the bedrooms are a bit small.

For us? Or just― - For us. Yeah, yeah.

- I think it's a very easy home to actually be in because it's single-storey and it's open-plan.

I'd have to paint the inside lighter, but, yeah, no, I think it could definitely work.

How much do you think it would be to buy?

- I thought the first one was in a better position.

However, this is in a very good position too.

- It's one of the better streets, isn't it too, in town? - Yes.

- I'd be looking at about 1.6 again. - Yeah?

1-6, 1-7.

- A really liveable outdoor space, this one.

I think this backyard is fantastic.

But I think there's a really nice contrast ―

this beautiful old plum tree that's been here for so long

in this nice, modern, sleek-looking home. The old and the new.

- Absolutely amazing. Beautiful tree.

- We've got to talk about the price of the home, though.

What do you think this would be worth if it went to market right now?

- Me, personally, around about 1-6. - OK. - Yeah.

I'd say around the same because you don't have to do anything else.

- Mm-hm. - So 1-6,1-7 even. - Yeah.

- That's about right. The 1.6 to $1.7 million mark would probably secure this home.

What are we thinking now? - It's a definite possibility. - It's a possibility?

- Yeah. - It certainly is. - Definitely.

- Something to think about? - 100%. - OK.

- 100%. - All right. Keep thinking about it, then,

while we travel not so far to our third and final house of the day.

- Looking forward to it. - Come on out, then.

Coming up ― I'm on the hunt for honey.

So, would you call yourself a 'bee-liever' now?

I'm definitely a 'bee-liever'.

That was terrible, by the way.

And later, I reveal the final property to our couple.

- The features inside, for me,

are the high pitch of the ceiling.

I absolutely adore that.

- Round up the family and follow me for a quick drive outside of Greytown

for a fantastic hands-on experience

and to get up-close-and-personal with some brilliant little creatures.

So, Karly, Greytown Honey, it's a family business.

Why bees? Why honey?

- I'm a fifth generation beekeeper, so I've been doing it all my life.

We came back here about 10 years ago, and we worked with dad,

and then we took over dad's business and we grew it into Greytown Honey.

COVID kind of came and went, and we had to change what we were doing,

and we went, let's change everything.

- Right. - Let's not just make honey any more.

And now we teach people all about bees every day of the week,

and it's just so much fun and amazing to share our passion with people.

They arrive, we suit them up in their bee suits,

take them out, show them hands-on experience with bees,

take them through our factory, show them how we get honey from hive to jar,

and then do honey tastings with them, so full experience, head-to-toe.

Well, I think it's really important to teach people where their food comes from.

Worldwide, we're losing bees. And so, being able to teach people why we need them, what they do,

and what their actual jobs are, is a real passion of ours to be able to share that.

Most people don't drive down the road and go, oh, there's a beehive.

I should stop and have a look at that.

- They kind of go, oh, I wonder what's in there, and think nothing more of it.

So when they get here and they get that full hands-on experience of actually watching babybees hatch

or watching the different jobs happening within the hive,

it's a really amazing thing to share.

People just don't see it these days.

- Well, my time as a beekeeper sure was sweet,

but I've still got one more house to show our couple.

And thankfully for us, the trip is an easy walk.

Oh boy. Long journey, wasn't it Oh.

Huge - All the way from next-door to here, our third and final option.

Now, we've got a dark-stained board and batten home in a barn style.

- Julie and I both like board and batten. - We do.

Simple but elegant.

- Street appeal? What do you think? - I think initially I would seal this.

- Ah. - Yeah, I would, yeah. - Yeah.

We've had metal homes before and driveways, and they just create dust.

- All right. Well, before you know if you wanna buy it, you probably need to see around inside.

- We do. - Very much so.

- Absolutely. - Let's head in.

Wow. Look at this living area. - Wow.

Wow. - How fantastic is this? So much space.

It's actually quite an interesting mix of the first house

and the second house in terms of the light and the shade.

Currently, a family is living here, and so the way they've got it set up is upstairs, that's the kids' domain.

- Perfect. - And it's a brilliant setup up there.

- I was taken with upstairs.

For guests, upstairs is completely separate.

Beautifully designed. - Yeah.

- All right. Time for you guys to have a good look around.

Take your time. I'll be outside when you wanna come and find me. - Thanks, Matt.

- Thanks, Matt. - OK. Perfect. - See you.

- Oh, this looks nice, doesn't it? - Oh, yeah. - This is lovely.

Good size. It's got a nice cosy feel, hasn't it? Yeah. - Cosy feel, yeah.

- The bedrooms upstairs are huge. - Aren't they, yeah. - It's brilliant, isn't it?

And the bathroom's big too.

How much would you think they're going to be asking? - Well, it's a big home.

- I would say, again, it's gotta be 1-6, 1-7, surely.

- Gidday. - Here we are. - Great big backyard, this one.

Really spacious. Look at that beautifully manicured lawn.

And some great features as well,

like, this pergola, a little bit of shade. - Yep.

- Don't know if you saw the fire pit just around the side as well. - I did.

- Just the options of being outside in the evening with the fire going. - Absolutely right.

- And as you can see, it's beautifully hedged.

The lawn is in really good condition, but I could certainly put my touch to it ―

add a bit more colour and character, with more planting.

- So, you've pretty much nailed the price of the first two on the nose.

- Yes. - What do you think this one's worth?

- This is a bigger home... - It is.

- ...as opposed to the one next-door. - Mm-hm.

- But that's got a pool, beautifully landscaped.

- Yeah. - Mm. - So pretty equal.

- Yeah, I think that. - So I would say, 1-6,1-7. - Yeah, I would too.

- You've done it again.

- We know what we're doing, Matt. - You do? - We've done this before.

- So really, all three houses are coming in around the same price. - Yeah.

- And coming in under the budget that you gave me to work with.

So if anything wasn't quite perfect,

you might have an extra little bit of wiggle room to bring it up to what you want.

Well, that's it. Three houses ― a lot to think about.

So I'll let you two head away,

and we'll get back together again once you've had a good think... - We will.

- ...and if you've made a decision, then... - We'll let you know.

- Once again, that's three properties done and dusted.

And now all that's left is for Julie and Merv to make their decision.

Our couple have come to a conclusion, so I'm back in Greytown,

and I'm keen to meet up with them for a chat about which house they're thinking of calling home.

Here we are.

Julie and Merv. How are we? - Hello, mate.

We're well, thank you. - Good, thank you.

- Greytown's finest in the flesh. Here we are again.

Oldest and finest.

- Look, I know a decision of some sort has been made,

which is why I am back in town to catch up with you two

and talk about the houses that we looked at.

First one that backed on to the orchard. - Yep.

- The really kind of light, bright interior.

What did you like about that one?

- I had one main concern, which is with Julie's health,

being next to an orchard, she's allergic to spray. - Oh, OK.

- So, unfortunately, that sort of killed the first house. - That rules that one out.

- Beautiful home. - Yeah. - Beautifully designed.

- In a great neighbourhood as well. - Great neighbourhood. - Yeah.

- Yeah. - Fabulous trees. - But, sadly, not for us.

- OK. So we can strike that one off the list straight away. - Sadly.

- It's fine. That leaves two fantastic options still.

So the second place we looked at,

I remember it had the really dark exterior matched with the dark interior.

- Love those doors. They were just so good, just outside.

The pool was fabulous, wasn't it, too? - Yeah.

- What I enjoyed about it was the landscaping. That was really, really professionally done.

- Which just leaves house number three.

And that one was a fantastic option as well.

The barn style home, so much space in that living area, and a huge backyard as well.

- Beautifully decorated by someone who's got a really good eye. - Yeah.

- I liked the upstairs-downstairs. - Yeah.

- Kids upstairs. - Yeah. - Or...

Husband upstairs.

- A real retreat upstairs, wasn't it? - Yes.

- It was beautiful.

- So the question needs to be asked. - Yes.

- Was one of those two houses the perfect place for you?

- They are the perfect houses...

- for somebody else. - For somebody. OK.

- We loved all of them,

but for what we're after,

they weren't quite 100% right.

- I totally understand. - Sorry. So we're gonna have to keep looking.

You might have to come back. - Hey, look, you know, you can't win 'em all.

- No, you can't win them all.

But even though we didn't find you the perfect house... - Beautiful house.

Yeah, you did a great job. - ...you two really are the perfect people to go house hunting with.

- Aw, thank you. - So, thank you.

It's been a real blast. - We've loved it.

Thank you so much. - Pleasure meeting you. - Pleasure meeting you.

- It was Julie's birthday yesterday.

97

- Get out of town.

- As I mentioned, Julie and I have been married for 52 years. - Yep.

- To show appreciation for my lovely wife and the life that we've had,

- that epitomises Julie and I. - Oh.

- That is gorgeous. - Love at first sight.

But when you open it, it says,

- 'And second and third and fourth and fifth. - Aw.

- 'Let's just say I'm still counting,' which is lovely. - That is so beautiful.

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