Making sure their two preschool sons have the same rural upbringing they had themselves was a long-term goal for Eastern Bay of Plenty couple Amber and Joel Ingle.
“Buying a lifestyle property has always been our aim, and we’ve had an eye out for a suitable block for some time. We both grew up in the country. When we moved to our present home in Edgecumbe 10 years ago, it was the first time Joel ever had neighbours, which took a bit of getting used to. We both wanted more space, particularly for our boys to grow,” says Amber.
An in-house electrician at a local mill, Amber is currently on maternity leave caring for three-year-old Taika and one-year-old Bodhi, while Joel works in the Whakatāne engineering company co-owned by the couple. While they had been looking at different lifestyle properties for some time, and saw a few they would have liked, the timing or the opportunity never quite lined up.
Amanda Blommerde of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Whakatāne changed all that when she listed a four-bedroom 1950s home on a 0.4-hectare block six kilometres south of Edgecumbe and 22 kilometres south west of Whakatāne, in the spring.
“Having been in the same hands for many years, and shown its worth as an ideal place to raise children, its owners were ready to move on, and the property was ready to serve the same purpose for a new family.
“Country living with room to grow: in a highly sought-after area, this stunning home blends charm with functionality. It features three generous double bedrooms and a versatile single bedroom able to serve as a home office if required; a newly renovated kitchen; and a luxurious bathroom with a deep bath and heated floors. Outdoors from the dining area, a large, new covered deck provides a perfect space for entertaining, offering the ultimate indoor-outdoor flow; 20 different varieties of fruit tree make for an abundant orchard; while with 16 raised garden beds, an organic vegetable supply is on hand year-round.
“Well-loved and treasured, it is peaceful country retreat, ready for a new family to take over and create their own lasting memories,” says Amanda.
Amber, Joel, Taika and Bodhi were that family, as Amber explains.
“We love the property and the landscape it is in. The whole sustainability side, with the trees, the vege garden and the orchard. Having grown up in a home from the same era, Joel reckons it reminds him of his childhood. Meanwhile, the ample garage is a great ‘man cave,’ which he’s looking forward to making the most of with his car and motorbike hobbies.
“Our boys are the motivation to move back into the country, to re-create the childhood we had, and which we envision for them. As soon as we saw the property, we could see our boys growing up, running around on the large front lawns, spending all day outdoors in the fresh air rather than cooped up inside with technology,” she says.
Related posts
Back to News & Publications
