There is a major shift in the way Hobsonville and West Harbour will look in the future happening right now, it really is exciting times for local residents and people considering a move into the area.

Firstly the Hobsonville Point development is set have it’s first show homes available for viewing before Easter 2011, the project itself is massive the proposed finished development involves several subdivisions and two schools a Marina which will be running full time ferry timetables from Hobsonville to the city.

The face of West Harbour and Hobsonville will be changed forever, this means fresh rounds of speculation in Real Estate circles are old news already.

The area is set to become a very desirable location indeed. The site of the development being of an extremely prime nature has sent buzzes through the Real Estate community.

Housing firms that are involved in the project include Jelcon Homes, Gj Gardener and Universal homes.

The new motorway extension will see an ease hopefully in traffic congestion on Hobsonville Rd which at times can be diabolical at present.

The nearby Westgate shopping centre is set to expand in a big way also, with the proposal growing all the time, if the rumors are to be believed.

Pak n Save are planning a move into the Hobsonville, West Harbour area with the proposed site being near the Brigham’s Creek intersection.

Property along  Hobsonville Rd is set to become a light commercial hub similar to that of the Rosedale Albany business park. All of this is happening and under way at various stages in Hobsonville and West Harbour right now.

Change is upon us.

As of November 17^th 2010 there were 90 properties for sale within West Harbour and Hobsonville.

These homes are listed for sale with various Real estate agents from mainly Harcourts, Barfoot & Thompson, and Bayleys & Ray White Real estate agencies. The area of West Harbour and Hobsonville has a great mix of property to suit many different life styles and budgets.

There are entry homes into the property market, with homes starting in price at around the  $300,000 mark  right up to some quite substantial property that are worth well in excess of $1000000 these particular homes can  have stunning views from West Harbour all the way across to the city center.

Having such diversity in the types of Real estate available in the area gives West Harbour its own unique qualities as a community.

The Marina provides West Harbour with a nautical feel which is set to expand when the new proposed Marina is completed at the Hobsonville Point development.

With the progress of the new development at Hobbsonville Point coming along it will not be long before we start to see fresh property coming onto the market for the first time, which certainly is exciting from a Real estate agents point of view.

The opening of the new section of motorway will effectively turn the currently busy Hobsonville road into some what of a back water, which you would be inclined to think could transfer over to enhancing the value of property in this area.

The West Harbour property market remains a diverse sought after area to live in and it is easy to see why.

It appeals to many different people and many different budgets. Its proximity to the Westgate shopping center, motorway’s, West coast beaches and the North Shore only adds to the areas credentials

As far as schooling is concerned there are a number in the area to choose from including West Harbour primary, Marina View Primary and Hobsonville Primary. Massey High is only a few minutes drive away and West lake also not far. Two schools have been proposed within in the Hobsonville Point development so that is also soon to become a schooling option.

Although 90 homes are on the market in West Harbour this figure is significantly down on past years, it could be the economic environment or perhaps it is West Harbour’s charm that is keeping the residents staying put for the time being.

This was recently summarised in a great herald article (link below).

As the article mentioned, the HLC CEO did not have a clue as to how the gateway policy was going to be applied to the Hobsonville Point development. Let’s be honest about this – the 4 building companies are salivating to get building, and not because the want to support some local community efforts, but to make money. And an Aussie company is clipping the ticket as well. Nothing wrong with that at all, but it does leave the HLC company in a difficult position. Make the project profitable enough to attract long term building partners, but also provide in effect ‘affordable homes’ under a gateway policy. But clearly, the HLC have had no direction from the government on what, how and when to apply this policy. I’ve heard the builders say the cost of the first houses will range from 400K (for a 100 square metre house) to $750K-ish for the 220 square metre house.

There is a link on the Housing New Zealand website to request updates on the gateway policy. However, when I asked in July I was told to expect the policy detail in late August/early September.

The lack of direction from the government on the gateway policy, and its application to the new housing model at Hobsonville Point, threatens to make housing even less affordable.

Herald article.

Sarah is a current resident in the new Hobsonville Point development, having lived in the area since it still operated as an Air Force Base. She has endured months of dust and stop/go signs and is now starting to see the fruits of the developers labours. She has a keen interest in the development and is passionate about keeping the community informed of its progress.

http://www.hobsonvillepoint.com

http://www.hobsonvillepoint.com/index.php/2010/09/will-the-gateway-policy-make-houses-at-hobsonville-point-affordable/

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