'Phenomenal' interest in abandoned homestead

It was only supposed to be open for an hour on Sunday, but more than 300 groups queued to see through the abandoned colonial homestead at Swannanoa in North Canterbury.

Listing agents Mitchell Roberts and Mana Tai of Harcourts Twiss-Keir Realty in Christchurch say all they have done over the past few days is answer phone calls and emails about the property, following a story on Stuff.co.nz last week.

"We had a phenomenal response over the weekend," Roberts says. "More than 300 groups came through and cars were lined up down the street. We had to tell people to get in the queue.

"We should have had a sausage sizzle, or a gold coin donation for a charitable organisation. We just didn't forsee such a crowd. We have been selling property in North Canterbury for a long time but I can't remember a property like this coming to the market for a very long time."

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Roberts says people clearly appreciated the heritage value of the house, which was built in 1885. "People were speculating on what you might be able to do with the property. Many could see it as a wedding venue, or a bed and breakfast, or an equestrian centre."

The agent says the team found it "extremely exciting" to see the interest generated by the property.

"We have sold a lot of 'cookie cutter' new builds following the earthquake, so it is incredibly exciting to be able to show a house like this."

Roberts says the team did not get a chance to talk dollars with potential buyers at the weekend, because they were too busy directing traffic. They are now doing follow-up calls, but the price is not fixed. "The vendor just wants to see what the market has to say first."

The homestead, known as Northwood, was last sold in 2011 to a family living in the UK. But due to changed personal circumstances, their dream plans for relocation fell through.

"There is a perception that because the property is large it will be expensive, so many people feel they can't take it too seriously," Roberts said last week. "But the owners' instructions are very clear, that this property must be sold and all offers will be considered."

Roberts says it is believed the land was originally owned by Robert Chapman, who was a very early settler in North Canterbury. He acquired several large estates in the area, including Springbank Station, which was about 15,000 acres (6070ha).

Chapman had six sons and two daughters, and it is believed Northwood was owned by one of the sons.

The initial story on the property generated many comments from readers, including one who had the following story to tell:

"I remember this house from my first year at Rangiora High School (1978). I was kind of seeing a girl from my class who shall remain nameless. We'd been on a couple of tentative 'dates' while in larger groups and were warming to each other when she invited me round for a ride on one of the horses.

"I rode my Raleigh 20 all the way from Will Place in Rangiora. No mean feat with my feeble chicken legs. As soon as I rounded the tree-lined driveway and saw the 'house' for the first time I knew I was punching way above my weight. If there were any doubt it was removed by the glacial reception from her parents. I wasn't invited back.

" I still recall you fondly Sarah!"