The support behind the house that a local college built
Time teaching in the classrooms of One Tree Hill College has led to a rewarding opportunity to combine two of Melody Lowe's lifelong passions: education and real estate.
Now a salesperson operating out of our Ellerslie branch, Melody is leading the sale of one of this month’s most talked-about listings: a fully renovated and sustainably refurbished home for relocation, crafted by One Tree Hill College’s Trade Academy.
With support from her Barfoot & Thompson Ellerslie team and key suppliers, Melody is donating her time and expertise to help ensure the house finds a new owner, with all proceeds returning to the school’s Trade Academy.
Supporting hands-on learning
The 1970s former state home was purchased by the college in May last year for just $1 and has since served as a hands-on training ground for year 12 and 13 students.
Under the guidance of Trades Academy teacher Charlotte McKeon and Licenced Builder, Paul Williams, students worked under the watchful eye of industry professionals who donated their time, expertise and materials to the project.
“The work that Charlotte and her students, and the wider construction community, have put into this home is phenomenal,” says Melody. “It’s been incredible to see how much they’ve learned and achieved, and I’m thrilled to be a small part of something that supports students’ future careers.”
Now, the 3-bed, 1-bath house is fully upgraded with quality craftsmanship, energy-efficient features and smart home technology, ready for its next chapter.
More than just a house
Buyers will not only gain a beautifully refurbished home but also a host of extras, including artwork, a furniture voucher, and even the use of an electric vehicle for a year.
“Whoever wins this auction isn’t just getting a house; they’re getting a home designed for the future, packed with energy-saving features and a real sense of community effort,” says Melody.
“Its Homestar 7 rating alone is sure to keep whomever gets to live in it toasty and happy for years to come.”
From classroom to closing deals
Before stepping into real estate in the 1990s, Melody enjoyed a decades-long career as a high school English teacher, later serving as Head of English. After more than 20 years of shaping young minds, she sought a new challenge, balancing relief teaching with establishing her real estate career—including time at One Tree Hill College.
“I got to know the school well during my time teaching there,” she says. “It’s a fantastic team and a great community of parents and students. Being able to support them again through my real estate role feels incredibly rewarding.”
Melody’s strong ties to the school and local community made her a natural choice to lead the sale, and with Barfoot & Thompson’s backing, the project has gained significant exposure: the agency’s suppliers, including key listing platforms, and signage company ABC Signs, have all contributed to promoting the property and upcoming auction.
Since going live in late February, the listing – and the story of its star teacher and skilled pupils, have generated major media attention, thousands of online views, and numerous inquiries from potential buyers across New Zealand.
“This is a unique opportunity that could be an amazing solution for someone with an existing plot of land for a home or bach, someone looking for a new route to first-home ownership, or those seeking the perfect added income dwelling or flat for Nana,” says Lowe.
Auction details
The auction will take place on-site on Thursday, 3 April, at 4 pm. With excitement building and interest growing daily, the school is hopeful that this unique sale will not only raise significant funds for the Trade Academy but also inspire similar initiatives in schools across the country.
Please note: the home is to be moved from its current location at the school by April 30th, 2025, or at a later date to be mutually agreed to by both parties. The buyer is responsible for piling, service connections & obtaining a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) on their site.
