Grand Designs NZ heads south...

[Homed header] Hi {NAME}, Did you manage to [catch this week’s episode of Grand Designs NZ]( It followed Esther and Josh Perriam’s new build on a windswept beachfront site in New Brighton. Just like the location, the house is rugged, strong and compelling. But the really great thing about this show was the way this couple built an architectural house (did I mention beachfront?) for a mere $685k. When you added in the cost of the land it was just $915k. And they only did it by doing a lot of work themselves (with “Dad”), including Gib walls and tiling. Sometimes Grand Designs works best when it follows a more “affordable” build that is also very clever architecturally - and this house is. Not that we would want to see the end of the really grand builds that after all, are really what this show is all about. Bring them on I say. Another affordable build we saw this week was [Olivia Fairhurt’s house in Tauranga](. She bought a house and land package in 2020 for a mere $550k. It scarcely seems believable - and she says it is now worth $700k - $800k. Olivia struck it lucky. Values rose while her build was progressing. Others have been less lucky buying off the plans in the past two years, as we discussed in our [Sunday story on first-home buyers having it tough](. But as the story shows, things are looking up, and many agents are expressing a lot of interest from this market in the past three months. Vinne McClafferty of The Mortgage Hub says first-home buyers are more confident and many are prepared to team up with other family members to get a home - better to be paying off your own mortgage than someone else's! We will continue to bring you these inspiring stories and please continue to tell us yours. Enjoy your weekend - perhaps there’s an open home or two in there for you. [Kylie Klein-Nixon] Colleen Hawkes Senior Homed Reporter [Kylie Klein-Nixon] Colleen Hawkes Senior Homed Reporter   Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.](   [timer][trk_px] [timer][trk_px] Design savvy     [High design on a shoestring]( This week, Grand Designs NZ heads to New Brighton, where Esther and Josh Perriam have built an architectural home on a narrow site to a very limited budget. [timer][trk_px]   living differently [A new lifestyle on the road]( Tired of renting, Wellington couple Sal and Paul Flewelling have reimagined their vision of domestic bliss. [Read more →]( property to admire [Grandeur on the hill]( The former Labour minister, who retired from politics at the recent election, is selling his Napier home of 13 years. [Read more →]( historic home [If these walls could talk]( Once a boarding house, boutique hotel and now a grand residence again, this Bluff Hill villa could surely tell some tales. [Read more →]( first home buyer's [A light-filled Pukekohe pad]( A first-time buyer hand-me-down, this home has three bedrooms and a sleep out for under $875K. [Read more →]( If you find Stuff's Homed useful and inspiring, please consider becoming a supporter. [I'd like to contribute →]( [Discover more at Homed]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Stuff Homed newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox.]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [YouTube](