7 Kanawa Street Waikanae, Kapiti Coast District

Every now and then, a property comes along that will mean something to a very particular kind of buyer.

If you're someone who appreciates proper garage space, you'll understand immediately what 52m² of garaging with a mechanics pit actually means. In a place like Kapiti - where weekends often involve projects, tinkering, or simply having the space to do things properly - this is the sort of setup that's becoming harder and harder to find.

At 7 Kanawa Street, the garage sets the tone. It's substantial, practical, and paired with extensive off-street parking that gives the whole property a sense of space and capability.

The home alongside it is exactly what you want it to be: warm, tidy and easy to live in. Built in classic Lockwood style, it has the natural warmth these homes are known for. Inside, you'll find three genuine double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, along with open-plan living that connects to a sunny adjoining sunroom.

The backyard is private and productive, with a fully fenced rear section and established fruit trees - including kiwifruit - giving the garden a relaxed, lived-in feel.

There's also clear opportunity here to add value over time. Updating the kitchen or refreshing the exterior would lift the home further while still keeping the practicality that makes it appealing.

And then there's the location. This quiet cul-de-sac has a small secret at the end of it - a walkway leading straight into Wi Parata Reserve, where native bush, walking tracks and birdsong create a peaceful pocket of green right in the middle of Waikanae.

From here, schools, shops, transport and everyday amenities are all close by.

But for many buyers, it will be the garage that stops them in their tracks - because setups like this don't appear very often.