Six of the cosiest homes on the market right now

307 Quiet Woman Way, Monaco, Nelson / Tasman | Enquiries over $549,000 

Monaco might be the most under-the-radar suburb in Aotearoa for value. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse sits within a resort-style complex where residents share access to a pool and gym, with cafes and bars a short stroll away. Inside, the open-plan lounge and dining area centres on a gas fire, with indoor-outdoor flow to a private courtyard. At 82m2 it's compact, but the layout works well, and the designer kitchen is proper rather than superficial. Body corp fees apply (approximately $105 per week including GST), and you get one car park. For buyers looking for a warm, manageable home in one of Nelson's best spots, this is well worth a look.

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23/25 Elmslie Road, Pinehaven, Upper Hutt | Enquiries over $1,195,000 

Listed as "Kelling Lodge", and it earns the name. This four-bedroom home was established in the 1920s on over 8,000m2 of native bush in Pinehaven, one of Upper Hutt's most tightly held pockets. A stream runs through the property under mature totara and native ferns; tūī, bellbirds, and the occasional morepork are part of daily life. Inside, original timber floors and riverstone fireplaces give the home a warmth you can't manufacture. Multiple living areas open to decks, patios, and gardens on all sides. It's the kind of property where children grow up connected to the land, and where adults remember what quiet actually sounds like. Close to Silverstream Village and Wellington by train.

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12 Shipherds Avenue, Epsom, Auckland City | Price by negotiation 

Built in 1925 and recently renovated to a high standard, this four-bedroom Epsom villa sits on 1,022m2 on one of the suburb's most sought-after streets. The renovation used premium European finishes throughout: Gaggenau appliances, Dornbracht tapware, ECC designer lighting. Multiple decks flow from the house onto an expansive multi-level garden that gives the property a sense of space rare in this part of Auckland. It's zoned for both Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls' Grammar School, and it's close to Newmarket's dining and retail strip. The CV sits at $3,675,000. For buyers who want character, quality, and a blue-chip address, this is a strong option.

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65 Kohekohe Road, Waikanae, Kapiti Coast | Asking price $1,895,000 

Built by respected local builder Pat White, this three-bedroom, 300m2 home is clad in white weatherboard with contrasting accents and backs directly onto a reserve, so the only neighbours behind you are the trees and birdsong. Double glazing and multiple heating sources keep it warm. The master suite has its own separate wing for privacy. Inside, multiple living spaces flow well for both families and entertaining, and the whole property sits within one of Waikanae's most established garden enclaves. The asking price is $1,895,000 and it's moments from the Waikanae River and village. This is the kind of home that gets more comfortable every year you live in it.

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15 and 17B Keir Crescent, Masterton | Price by negotiation (buyers from $2,000,000) 

Lansdowne House is, by any measure, a property that demands to be seen in person. This stately 1920s residence in Masterton's Lansdowne suburb has been hosting weddings, functions, and events for over 50 years. If you've ever watched Lorelai Gilmore run the Dragonfly Inn and thought "I want that life", well, here's your Aotearoa version.

The main house sits on nearly 6,000m2 of parklike grounds complete with mature specimen trees, an arched bridge over a pond, and a sense of quiet grandeur that hits from the moment you arrive. Inside, a native rimu grand staircase leads to five substantial bedrooms (two with ensuites), the original main bathroom has a clawfoot bath and a walk-in shower, and the formal dining room and ballroom remain in excellent condition with opulent chandeliers and antique fixtures. French doors open to a private walled courtyard. Verandas on both levels frame the landscaped gardens.
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38a Harry Dreadon Road, Drury, Auckland | Asking price $2,725,000 

Set on one hectare in Drury with panoramic views across to the city lights, this architecturally inspired 422m2 home draws on French country design: exposed beams, American oak flooring, soaring ceilings, and a feature fireplace at the heart of the open-plan living and dining area. Bi-fold doors open directly to a north-facing covered courtyard, making it genuinely usable year-round. The kitchen is built around a generous island bench with Smeg appliances and a large scullery. There are five bedrooms across two wings, two with ensuites, and the oversized four-car garage includes a loft space above that works as a fifth bedroom, guest suite, or hobby retreat. The grounds include vegetable and herb gardens, water tanks, and room for a pool or minor dwelling. Drury's rapid commercial and residential growth, with new rail connectivity, adds long-term appeal for buyers thinking about the next decade.

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