Downsizing to a new home in Ōmokoroa: Bev’s story
After 50 years owning and working on her much-loved kiwifruit orchard near Tauranga, Bev was ready for less property to look after. She chose a Classic Builders House + Land package in Ōmokoroa, personalising her new home with room for visiting family, a garden to enjoy and more time for herself.
Take a Look Around Bev’s Home
Life on the Orchard
Bev spent 50 years owning and working on a two-hectare kiwifruit orchard near Tauranga. At 70, she took over running it herself. After the orchard was hit by the PSA virus, she learned to graft new vines, converted the operation to organic and worked at a local packhouse to get to know the industry.
She loved the orchard, but mowing, pruning and thinning fruit kept her busy seven days a week. Over time, some of the physical work became harder.
With encouragement from her daughters, Bev began thinking about selling. It meant leaving somewhere she loved, but it would also give her more freedom to decide how she spent her days.
Choosing to Build New in Ōmokoroa
Bev wanted to stay independent, in a home that suited her. She considered buying new or existing, but after years of renovating her orchard house, she wasn’t keen to take on more repairs. None of the existing homes she visited quite felt like her, either.
A nearby Classic Builders Showhome kept drawing her back, sometimes with friends and family in tow. Although it was beyond her budget, those visits helped her work out what she liked.
She went on to choose a House + Land package across the road, before construction had begun. With a clear budget agreed, Bev could start thinking about the details she wanted in her first brand-new home.
Personalising Her House + Land Package
Bev chose her House + Land package before construction began, giving her the opportunity to work through changes and selections with the Classic Builders team.
“Personalisation came in everywhere, actually.”
She wanted a home that felt comfortable and welcoming, with space for family to spend time together. Her four-bedroom layout includes three bedrooms and a bathroom set apart from her own space, giving grandchildren and great-grandchildren room to stay while Bev can still enjoy some quiet.
That same care went into the smaller details. She added a scullery sink for cake decorating, adjusted a sliding-door detail for her young grandchildren’s safety and chose storage with the years ahead in mind.
Then there were the choices that helped the home feel like hers. Photos of chimneys and walls helped her find the right bricks, while her flooring and light, floaty curtains created the feel she wanted inside. Together, those decisions shaped a home she could feel relaxed in and enjoy sharing with others.
Choosing it all was a part of building Bev really enjoyed. As she puts it, “I genuinely loved it.”
If you’re considering a House + Land package, the options to personalise will depend on the home and its stage of construction. For a closer look at what could be possible, read our guide to personalising your House + Land package.
A Garden to Enjoy
Bev’s ideas carried through to the garden. Once it started taking shape, she decided to add floating steps to suit its Japanese style. It was a later addition, and she’s very happy with how they’ve turned out.
Now, she has a favourite spot for breakfast and morning tea, where the sun stays until around two in the afternoon. It’s peaceful, and she has the garden she wanted.
She’s looking forward to seeing the plants grow, especially the maples coming into leaf in spring. There’s still plenty to enjoy outdoors, with less to look after.
Less to Look After, More Time to Enjoy
Looking back, Bev says working with Classic Builders felt easy right from the start. She had complete trust in the team, and her home was finished on the promised day.
She’s also come to appreciate the comforts of her new home, including double glazing, heat pumps and the morning light. After years of renovating, the reassurance of a 10-year structural warranty was another reason building new appealed to her.
The biggest difference now is having more choice about how she spends her time. She helps with secretarial work for a local group, house-sits around Tauranga and drives friends to appointments. Her neighbours were quick to welcome her, inviting her to a get-together soon after she moved in.
For Bev, downsizing has meant keeping the things she values: her independence, space for family and a connection to the outdoors, with fewer demands on her time.
“Now my home has absolutely given me the lifestyle that I was looking for, so I couldn’t ask for anything better.”