Emma & Troy: Practical Investing

Emma and Troy bought their large, four bedroom home in Kelston just over a year ago. They had been looking for a few months when they found it in an area that was attractive to them due to the improved public transport to New Lynn and the surrounding areas. With a view that the area would continue to increase in value in future years, they have approached owning their first home with a practical mindset. 

M: What was your main purpose when buying your place?

Emma: We initially started looking for a house as it seemed like the best way for us to invest what we had, and make our money work for us through the capital gain in the housing market. Other investment options were on the cards but they seemed much riskier. It also gave us somewhere bigger to live.

M: What immediately appealed to you about the place?

Emma: You could move in and not worry about needing to urgently address anything. While some things weren’t quite what we would’ve chosen if we designed the house, nothing was so hideous or broken we couldn’t bear it – giving us time to do things up as we can afford it.

M: Describe the place when you first moved in:

Troy: Not all that different to now really. We’ve been focussing on paying down the mortgage rather than doing up the place.

M: What have you done to the property since you bought it?

Emma: We’ve done quite practical things – like putting doors over the laundry to hide our mess, replacing the uncomfortable toilet seat, and painting the weatherboards and fences! 

M: What was your best purchase?

Probably the laundry doors. The laundry is just off the entrance way to the house, so being able to put my fluro green washing baskets away makes the place seem tidier. Out of sight, out of mind!

I also love our cacti! With all our neutral tones it’s nice to add some life into the room.  They seem to be the only plants we don’t kill! (We won’t mention the fern in the entrance way…. Or the pot plants at the front door…or the dying lemon tree).

M: Do you have a purchase you regretted? If so, what?

Emma: The mirror that we still haven’t put up one year later…Always check you have sussed out where the support beams are before making purchases which require wall mounting.

M: What do you love about your home?

Troy: It’s always warm, and when it rains we’re not worrying about leaks.

M: What don’t you love about your home?

Emma: It’s not a villa in Ponsonby!

M: Describe your interior decorating style:

Emma: Stunted. We really haven’t invested too much on interior design yet, but my style is reasonably rustic. I like the warmth of modern oak pieces contrasted with crisp soft furnishings.

M: Has your plan for the property changed since buying it? If so, how?

Emma & Troy: Not really, we brought this house as an investment but also made sure that we bought an investment that we could grow into if we decided to stay put.