Rawdon Christie video takes on 'worst house in best street'

Wednesday, 13 March 2024

Former TV reporter and Breakfast host Rawdon Christie has put his TV experience to good use with a novel video for this derelict Remuera bungalow in a prized street.

How do you market a derelict house in a great street? You use your TV experience to have a little fun with a video - that’s how former TVNZ reporter and Breakfast host Rawdon Christie and fellow agent Steve Hood are selling this Remuera property.

Christie says they’ve “got a little bored” with predictable real estate videos that show off “beautiful houses lovingly restored and lived in, with open-plan living rooms opening out to the pool”.

The video begins with Christie rocking up to the derelict 1920s bungalow with a leaf blower, rake, broom and hedge clippers, only to be confronted with a mess far too big to fix in an afternoon.

“Rawdon, I don’t think a leaf blower is going to cut it in this house. Just take a look, mate,” Hood says.

Some of the younger viewers have talked about the potential for restoration.

The house has solid timber floors and some attractive leadlight windows, but in all likelihood it will be replaced with a new home. The site is zoned for a single house.

“The reality here was we were confronted with a house in such a dilapidated state there was no point in trying to hide it, so we have made a point of saying it isn’t for the faint-hearted,” Christie says. “We tell it like it is - it’s very obvious to everyone who goes through that you need to take a good look at the foundations, electrics and roofing and all of that, but it’s a rare, full corner site [703m²] in a great, family-friendly street in Remuera.”

The bathroom has been painted to match the kitchen.

Kitchen fixtures and fittings take back to the early years of the house.

The more derelict, potentially dangerous areas have been taped off.

The Barfoot and Thompson listing describes the property as “the worst house in the best street”. And that is proving a drawcard. Christie says they pair have had their first open homes and the property has been more popular than most of their other recent listings.

This end of the house, which looks an extension to the original, is in particularly poor condition.

“It has been a really fun listing and very well received. People are seeing an opportunity to buy a great site zoned for a single home only, which means they won’t be competing with developers.”

Buying a house

The agent says several people have been talking about bringing an architect with the idea of building a new home. “But we have had young people through the house thinking they might restore it themselves.”

In the video he says: “At the end of the day, Steve, this place has stood for 100 years; somebody may be able to see the potential and be able to do something with it. However, I think to be honest the real value lies in the land and the location.”

Two of the more interesting features of the three-bedroom bungalow include native timber flooring and ornate leadlight windows. The bright turquoise-painted kitchen and bathroom look near-original. Some windows, the front veranda and rear porch are taped off for safety.

“The neighbours are thrilled to see the house listed,” Christie says. “They know the site is going to be cleaned up, and there won’t be a multi-unit apartment building going up because of the zoning. It’s a bit of a win-win for them.”

Council records show the property was last sold 23 years ago for $355,000. It has a 2021 RV of $2,100,000.

Christie left TVNZ in 2016 when changes to Breakfast were announced. He started his own media company business, and in 2020 obtained his real estate licence.

The property, at 8 Mainston Rd, Remuera, is being sold by tender, with a closing date of March 27, 2024.