“What makes this property so special is that it’s only 40sq m, so could quite possibly be the smallest home in Christchurch – in fact, the double garage and attached studio are bigger than the house. So even though it’s one bedroom, it has heaps of storage and room for cars.
“And it’s in an awesome location too.”
The Harewood Rd property went to auction last week, with multiple bidders registered.
Harcourts Holmwood auction data states the property sold for $460,000 – well above its RV of $415,000.
Sampson said the auction was “quite exciting” and the owner was “thrilled” with the result.
The property last sold in 2023 for $385,000.
Built in 1985, the house sits on a 451sq m section.
The house is freehold and on a private back section. Photo / Supplied
For comparison, the three-bedroom house on the front section is 100sq m on 357sq m of land.
The freehold property was owned – and extensively renovated – by builder Darian Fix.
“When I moved to Christchurch, I moved in with my brother, but then he and his wife got pregnant,” Fix said.
“I had to get out before the baby arrived. I entertained buying or flatting but the opportunities in my price range were just townhouses and I didn’t want to go down that track.”
Fix also wanted to live on his own without flatmates if he could. When he found the Harewood Rd property, he snapped it up.
The space was perfect for Fix. He said the house was quiet, in a good area and close to the city, local shops and services.
Builder Darian Fix purchased the property in 2023 and is moving because he and his partner need more space to start a family.
He decided to move after he met his partner.
“With two people it’s a little bit cramped – but we made it work,” he said.
“It would be perfect for someone in the same situation as I was, looking for their first home, starting out on their own.
“But with two of us now, with animals running around and wanting to expand our family, we are running out of space.”
Fix has spent the past few months preparing the property for sale.
“I painted the entire outside, cut down four huge trees and now there is a lot more sun,” he said.
“I repainted inside; there’s new carpet, a new oven and hob.
“It’s a nice little sun trap on a big back section; it’s very convenient. And the neighbours are lovely, I’ve had no issues.”
The games room and double garage are bigger than the actual house.
Sampson said the room off the garage was not a consented sleepout but would be ideal for an office, perhaps for someone self-employed or working from home, or as a space for a gym or yoga studio, a second TV room or games room.
“It’s private and on a back section, but there’s no cross-lease, no shared driveway and you’re not sharing walls. It’s your own little standalone home.
“It would be great for a first-home buyer; it could also be great for retirees … but it’s an opening for someone to get into the property market. It’s a great opportunity.
“It would be perfect for someone wanting to buy but thinking they would have to have a flatmate – a lot of first-home buyers are not considering this area because it’s ‘not in their price range’, but this property is really exciting.”
The house has been recently renovated.
Sampson has been digging around for similar properties that have sold recently, or ever.
Tiny homes are typically compact, self-contained living spaces, generally under 40sq m, and usually movable or relocatable.
The Harewood Rd dwelling is a complete standalone house.
“I believe it’s the tiniest house for sale in Christchurch – I can’t find anything else similar,” Sampson told the Herald
“It’s hard to compare.”
Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers Christchurch and Canterbury issues and national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence and homicides. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz.