Andrew Dorreen from Precision Real Estate lives in Takapuna with his wife Sarah and two school aged children, Ruby and Jack. He specialises in high-end residential property from Milford to Takapuna and has recently showed his commitment to the area by opening a brand-new office in Killarney Street. In the last six consecutive calendar years, Andrew has sold over $100 million each year, at an average of over $4,500,000 per property – one of the highest (in volume and average sale price) residentially in the country. He holds the highest ever recorded sales in both Milford beachfront and lakefront, Takapuna beachfront and lakefront as well as Campbells Bay Beach, Campbells Bay clifftop and Stanley Point. Channel Magazine talks to Andrew about his new office and what is happening in the local market.
Channel Mag: You recently opened a new office in Killarney Street. Tell readers about that and why you’ve made the commitment to Takapuna?
Andrew Dorreen: I specialise in high-end residential property between Milford and Takapuna and 2 Killarney Street is in the centre of the “Golden Mile” away from any traffic congestion, meaning it is easy for my clients to get to with the added bonus of plenty of parking. At any one time, I am less than five minutes from any of my vendors' properties, which makes life much easier. The office is situated across the road from the beach and within walking distance to all the cafes and restaurants in the area. Being only 10km from the CBD, our buyers from the other side looking to move to the “good side” are only a short drive away. As soon as the opportunity to renovate the space came along, I didn’t hesitate.
CM: What sort of experience can clients expect at the new office?
AD: We have an executive but relaxed architectural space with polished concrete floors, good size boardroom plus a causal lounge/conversation setting. Depending on the style of the meeting and the demographic of the clientele we can adjust to suit – this is very important for making people feel more comfortable. Parking in Takapuna continues to be an ongoing issue. I have parking for up to five cars and the ability for people to pull up and leave safely at all times which was a major factor in my decision to invest in the location.
CM: What is your assessment of the current climate and market conditions when it comes to buying and selling in our local area?
AD: The short version to a complex question is that prices have cooled over the last six months from the peak late last year around 10% as a round number – less in some cases. Volumes of listings are up substantially, so buyers have more selection of high-quality well-located homes compared to the same period last year. Surprisingly, I am doing similar numbers of sales to last year but on four to five times the numbers of listings, meaning the duration or time on the market is rising for our clients (and in turn my workload is higher).
There have been a few levers being pulled from the central government that have slowed the residential market and these are well documented, but one and the largest factors is interest rates. The cost of upgrading or simply renewing fixed mortgages has doubled over the last few years. This causes people to pause and be more selective with their purchasing decisions. The period of transition (prices flattening) causes people to want to wait for “the bottom of the market”. I do not think prices will ease much further if at all from here, so in my opinion, the transition in the market has now occurred. We may, however, see flat values for a period until such time as we get lower interest rates, more immigration and restored consumer confidence.
My clientele generally will make purchasing decisions for long haul reasons. I encourage purchasers to be less focused on trying to “buy well” –instead, focus on buying well located homes that suit their family’s needs and for them take a long term view on value – history will say they will always increase over time.
CM: What’s your focus over the next six months now that the new office is open?
AD: Our main focus is, and will always be, obtaining great results for our vendors and giving them great service and that will never change. However, now that we have the new space we are expecting and encouraging more clients both past and future to drop in and discuss their plans with me in confidence and comfort. I am out and about 50% of the time showing houses and meeting clients at their residences but in general, it’s just great to have a new light-filled space that gets you in a positive mood and helps support staff to get them wanting to come into work.
Confidentiality is a large consideration. Having a space offering complete privacy for my clients is a great bonus I know my clients value.
Visit Andrew at his new Andrew Dorreen Precision Real Estate office, 2 Killarney Street, Takapuna.
Megan Lockwood is a Shore local and Senior Development Manager at Willis Bond, the company developing the much-anticipated Takapuna Central Apartments in the heart of Takapuna. Megan’s working alongside a talented team of experts – including Architectus and contractor LT McGuinness, to deliver the project. Now living in Northcote Point (and having grown up on the Shore), she’s very excited to be involved in this project after enjoying the beautiful sights and beaches surrounding Takapuna. Channel Mag asked Megan about the development, why Willis Bond had the confidence to invest in Takapuna and what we can expect from the development.
Channel Mag: Takapuna Central Apartments looks like it’s going to be a special place to live Megan?
Megan Lockwood: We’re really excited to launch Takapuna Central Apartments to market in 2023 within a landmark building comprising of 109 residences. This residential offering forms stage one of a five stage masterplan that will also see a careful curation of new office, retail and hospitality spaces across the remaining four stages. If I were to liken this to any other project we’ve done before, it would be our work in Wynyard Quarter with Eke Panuku. At Wynyard Quarter we regenerated what once was a derelict, contaminated site into one of New Zealand’s most sustainable award-winning residential precincts. In partnering with Eke Panuku here in Takapuna, we’re able to build on this established relationship and all the great work they’ve already got underway in the area including the Waiwharariki Anzac Square which will be a key feature within our Takapuna Central development.
CM: Why does Willis Bond have the confidence to invest in Takapuna?
ML: Takapuna has so much to offer with its natural environment being connected to green spaces, parks, beaches and the lake. For us, it just makes sense that we build on this with a master-planned community worthy of its location. This is a huge undertaking and one we want to get right which is why we’ve engaged the best in the business including Cheshire Architects who are leading the masterplan and Architectus who are the architects for Takapuna Central Apartments. Our trusted construction partner, LT McGuinness has also been involved from the outset too. We have longstanding relationships with everyone involved in this project which is so important for a project of this scale – it ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards a common purpose.
CM: What can readers and locals expect from the development?
ML: For our Takapuna Central Apartments project, you can expect timeless coastal luxury paired with considered amenities both within the building and the surrounding areas.
CM: What do you love about the Shore as a place to work and live?
ML: You can’t beat the Shore on a summer’s day. We recently opened our information centre at 34 Hurstmere Road, and since then, I’ve really appreciated all the wonderful spaces there are to eat lunch, catch up with friends or do some impulse shopping. It’s nice being within a stone’s throw of everything you need.
CM: Any local spots that you think are best kept secrets and why?
ML: My ultimate Takapuna experience is taking part in the Tuesday evening summer swim series followed by a burger on the grass overlooking the beach. It doesn’t get any better!
Visit: www.takapunacentralapartments.co.nz
Ian Cunliffe is well known in the Devonport area. He’s a real estate sales specialist in Devonport, Bayswater, Belmont, Narrow Neck and Cheltenham. Along with this, he’s heavily involved in local community groups including being a president of Rotary three times over, sitting on the board of the Devonport Business Association and he also runs the Bike Devonport Facebook group. Originally from the UK, his move to real estate followed a career in the legal profession and educational services. He says he transferred many of these skills over to succeed in residential property. Channel Magazine talks to Ian about the local market and his passion for his community.
Channel Mag: Why do you enjoy your role as a real estate agent on the Shore?
Ian Cunliffe: The Shore is a wonderful place to live and work. There is so much to enjoy in this area filled with amenities. People who buy homes here tend to be those who want to be part of an active and vibrant community. In my role as a real estate sales specialist, I meet people from many diverse backgrounds and often form lasting friendships with them through community involvement.
CM: Tell us about your previous career as a property lawyer and how those skills have worked well in your role as an agent?
IC: I worked as a property lawyer in both London and Brighton. The conveyancing systems in the UK are not too dissimilar to those in New Zealand and so my experience as a property lawyer gave me an in-depth understanding of land law and contracts. In the legal profession, there was a lot of negotiation on contracts etc. and these skills have proved invaluable to me in my 17 years of real estate work on the Shore.
CM: You’re involved in the Bike Devonport Facebook group as well being heavily involved in local Rotary, the Devonport Business Association and the Devonport Peninsula Trust. What makes you passionate about those things and how can locals get involved?
IC: I have been president of Devonport Rotary Club three times and also sit on the Board of the Devonport Business Association and Devonport Peninsula Trust. Bike Devonport has about 700 members on its Facebook page and it is a celebration of health and wellbeing through cycling and general all-round fitness. Bike holidays are also advertised on that site. I have found that the local communities on the Shore are superb contributors to the many facilities and amenities that we have come to enjoy; people of all ages are able to get involved and make a difference. A sense of community and wellbeing is essential in the fast-paced world in which we live.
CM: What do you love about the Shore as a place to work and live?
IC: The Shore is a fabulous place to call home, wonderful beaches, lots of green spaces, great shops and boutique restaurants/cafés, and generally a good climate weather wise! The Auckland CBD is easily accessible and there are myriad things to do here.
CM: Any local spots that you think are best kept secrets and why?
IC: Take your pick! We are so spoiled for things to do. Personally, I like to keep fit with a leisurely bike ride around the Devonport, Narrow Neck waterfront then onto Stanley Point and the track around the Navy Sports fields. A choice of any one of about 10 superb local cafes for coffee, a chat with locals and maybe an indulgent date scone is a good reward!
Libby Greenwood is a highly successful residential sales specialist at Bayleys Takapuna, having recently relocated to the Shore from Remuera. After an earlier career owning a lunch bar (Libby’s Kitchen) and working in radio sales, she decided to challenge herself pursue a career in real estate after her children left school. Libby started at Bayleys Remuera six years ago selling residential and lifestyle properties. Now living back in the area, she has joined Bayleys Takapuna and is looking forward to assisting locals to achieve their real estate goals. Libby answered some questions from Channel Magazine about returning to the Shore and her successful new career in real estate – she’s already joined the Bayleys $50m dollar club!
Channel Magazine: What was growing up in Takapuna like?
Libby Greenwood: Looking back on my childhood, it was very uncomplicated, wholesome and at the same time very privileged – enjoying the beach and the local community. From five years old, I attended St Anne’s School for Girls on Takapuna Beach until it closed. I loved biking to Milford Tennis Club, enjoyed Brownies and Girl Guides in the hall on Sylvan Park Avenue, and was even a St John's Ambulance cadet in the local hall in Killarney Street. My teenage years were spent sailing and sunbathing on Takapuna Beach. I was very fortunate.
CM: You recently relocated back to the Shore. What do you love about living and doing business on the Shore?
LG: Our children were born in Takapuna and we frequently returned to walk on the beach so we have all really enjoyed returning home to Milford. On a daily basis, I love bumping into familiar faces from my childhood and people in the community I got to know through Libby's Kitchen, at Pilates Unlimited and cafés etc. There is something about being back and belonging here that feels so right.
CM: How have you seen the real estate market change throughout your career and specifically in relation to the Shore as an area?
LG: Absolutely. Real estate tends to go in seven-year cycles. When I started, it was a slower market that gathered momentum until it took off unexpectedly through the covid years. I love the changing market as it challenges me to continually grow and improve.
CM: What tips do you have for local buyers and sellers right now, given the changing market and post pandemic economic conditions?
LG: Good property sells in every market as there are always active buyers out there looking and vendors who want to sell for a variety of reasons. The low levels of listings and the unknown has certainly slowed the market during June and July which this year has gone from FOMO (fear of missing out) to FOOP (fear of overpaying) so it is incredibly important to engage an agent who will work hard for you and is committed to your selling process. Negotiations are likely as motivated vendors accept the current market and buyers understand they are unable to 'steal' a good property. With robust marketing and a strategic plan, which is essential to expose your property to all the passive and active buyers in the market, optimum results can be achieved.
