21 Putiki Road, Ostend, Auckland

With a pool as its focus and a beautiful, leafy sub-tropical landscaped garden as its setting, this large, north-facing 1882m2 property includes both a family home and a self-contained cottage.

The substantial home surrounds a splendid pool on two sides, while mature trees and palms border the other two. With glass verandas and night lights around the pool, indoor/outdoor living is effortless, peaceful and private.

High ceilings and bi-fold doors create a relaxing, open atmosphere inside. The exceptional open-plan living, dining and kitchen, with its generous pantry, ensure that this really is an entertainer's delight. The chef's kitchen herb garden and the raised vegetable beds are thoughtfully near the bi-fold kitchen window. The house and cottage have heat pumps to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, not only that, the main house has an open fire that adds to a perfect winter-warming ambience.

There is new carpet in the bedrooms and the study. The master has quality drapes, a luxury en-suite and walk-in wardrobe. Then there are two double bedrooms, a separate bathroom, and a study.

As if all this wasn't enough, there are sea views of Putiki Bay; you can see the ferries arriving at Kennedy Point and watch the boats in the marina.

The bonus is that the pretty visitor cottage just down the drive is all yours too. With original wooden floors, unique painted kitchen cabinetry and a delightful mezzanine bedroom, the cottage has a charm all of its own. All you have to do is decide whether to use it as an attractive holiday rental or self-contained accommodation for family and guests.

On such a large section it's no surprise there's plenty of parking at both dwellings, and room for a boat, which you can launch from the boat ramp at the end of nearby Wharf Road.

It's so tranquil here you'd never guess the supermarket, restaurants, cafes and Ostend's Saturday Market are so close you can walk there in a few minutes.