Twenty-five years ago, Tim and Olga Early were based in Sydney and looking to relocate in order to raise their young family.
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Having spent plenty of time holidaying on the South Coast in the past, the seaside suburb of Kiama became an ideal choice.
"We fell in love with the area," Mr Early said.
"There were obviously fewer apartments back then, and over the years there's been more development. And it wasn't as busy back then.
"However, it's still retained its charm and character. It's still a town that's big enough that it has all the amenities, but small enough that during most of the year it's very quiet."
They purchased the land at 21 Gwinganna Avenue, Kiama for $300,000 in 1996, and had the home master built to their specifications by Wakeline Constructions.
"We were flexible about where we went, but when we saw that block of land it clinched the deal for us," Mr Early said.
Mrs Early said the land sale even made headlines in the Mercury at the time.
"It said, 'Sydney people come down and buy up big'.
"People [locally] were like, 'these Sydney people are coming down and spending $300,000 for land, and driving up our rates'.
"They were livid."
Set on 604sqm, the home has direct access to Kendalls Beach.
"We built it with a view to the long-term future," Mr Early said.
"So we built it with four, possibly five bedrooms; thinking about our own situation, but also re-sale.
"The design had to maximise the view. We have 180-degree water views from all the rear of the house."
Mr Early, now 60, is a semi-retired airline pilot.
He said he was currently waiting to be redeployed when the borders opened up.
"I have utilised my time off to ready the house for sale," he said.
The property is now on the market for the first time, with the couple selling in order to relocate to Sydney and be closer to family.
"It's been a very special place to be and a great community," Mrs Early, 57, said.
"It's been a very beautiful, special part of our lives being here in Kiama.
"But it's time for a new chapter in our lives. We're ready to travel too - ready to pack the bags and travel when we can."
"It really has been a lovely place to raise a family," Mr Early said.
The home will be auctioned on July 18.
There isn't currently a price guide, but according to Pricefinder, other sale prices in the street this year have ranged from $4.21 million to $4.62 million.
The selling agents for this listing are Ray White Kiama's Michele Lay and Olivia Anstee.
"Waterfront/reserve properties [such as this one] have been highly sought after with the push to move out of our cities," Mrs Lay said.
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