Property Investment

3 min read8 Oct 2025

Will my townhouse look like a slum in 10 years?

Worried your new townhouse will look like a slum in 10 years? See real examples of how New Builds age and learn what makes some stay modern while others don’t.

What will my townhouse look like in the future 1

Author: Derry Brown

Financial Adviser in industry since 2007. Investor in Auckland & Christchurch. Previous COO of Global Brand

Book a free session with Derry

Reviewed by: Laine Moger

Journalist and Property Educator, holds a Bachelor of Communication (Honours) from Massey University.

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When I talk to investors about New Builds, they often wonder: “Will these houses look like a slum in a decade?”

Because if they do ... will anyone still want to rent them?

And will the townhouses built in 2025 still look good in 2035?

In this article, you’ll see examples of properties that were built a decade ago, and how they look today. That way you can decide for yourself whether today’s New Builds stand the test of time.

Though you really should know that I’m a financial adviser at Opes Partners. And at Opes we help investors buy New Builds.

So there is an incentive for me to say “New Builds are amazing. Don’t worry about what they’ll look like in the future!”

I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’ll give you the facts and photos so you can decide for yourself.

Why do some townhouses look terrible when they age?

I’ve lived in townhouses, invested in them, and I own one as my family home.

I’ve walked through dozens more, scoping them out for clients and for myself as investments.

And after a while, you can tell if the townhouse is going to last or not.

Now, some townhouses do look rubbish after 10 years. That happens when:

The materials the developer used were cheap or installed the wrong way.
No one’s maintained it. The owner never painted it. They didn’t look after the roof, and they didn’t clean the outside.
Tenant haven’t respected it, and no property manager kept them in check.
The developer cut corners, and now it shows.

Here’s an example of a townhouse that hasn’t aged well. It’s in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn:

This property was built in the 2000s – so is around 2 decades old. And it doesn’t look good.

Now, I don’t know who the original developer was.

But keep in mind that this can happen to any house.

If the builder used poor materials, or if the owner didn’t do any maintenance … any property will start to look worse for wear.

This is why people worry about “mass-produced” townhouses. If they’re built too fast and too cheap, the problems eventually show.

But here are a few examples of properties that have aged well.

More from Opes:

137 Hall Ave, Mangere

These townhouses in Mangere, Auckland were built in 2021.

Almost five years on, they still look fresh.

The Resident’s Association is engaged. And they keep the development looking tidy.

A few of the properties have changed hands. And they rent for around $750 a week.

59 Buckley Ave, Hobsonville Point

Take a look at these properties. They are located in Hobsonville Point. This is a fairly new suburb in Auckland.

New houses started springing up in the suburb back in 2012. Over a decade later, it’s still one of Auckland’s most in-demand suburbs.

This development is built in 2011 – 2013. So they are over 10 years old.

The homes still look modern and well cared for.

Here’s how to tell if your investment will become a slum

Your townhouse and investment property could look slum-like. But, only if you let it.

A "slum" isn’t just about the structure

It’s about the ongoing condition and quality of the property management.

If you manage your tenants, and maintain the property ... your townhouse probably won’t look like trash.

And if you're worried your townhouse will look bad in a decade, you're probably the type of person who will take steps to avoid that.

The real enemy isn’t the “townhouse” – it’s neglect.

Just like villas, townhouses can last a long time and stay in demand — if you look after them.

Derry Brown

Financial Adviser in industry since 2007. Investor in Auckland & Christchurch. Previous COO of Global Brand

Derry has been in finance and property since 2007 and was at the coal face through the Global Financial Crisis. I have helped Opes clients invest in over 140 Million Dollar’s worth of residential property. In investing my passion is for data and demographics.

Book a free session with Derry View Profile

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Why do some townhouses look terrible when they age?

I’ve lived in townhouses, invested in them, and I own one as my family home.

I’ve walked through dozens more, scoping them out for clients and for myself as investments.

And after a while, you can tell if the townhouse is going to last or not.

Now, some townhouses do look rubbish after 10 years. That happens when:

The materials the developer used were cheap or installed the wrong way.

No one’s maintained it. The owner never painted it. They didn’t look after the roof, and they didn’t clean the outside.

Tenant haven’t respected it, and no property manager kept them in check.

The developer cut corners, and now it shows.

Here’s an example of a townhouse that hasn’t aged well. It’s in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn:

59 Buckley Ave, Hobsonville Point

Take a look at these properties. They are located in Hobsonville Point. This is a fairly new suburb in Auckland.

New houses started springing up in the suburb back in 2012. Over a decade later, it’s still one of Auckland’s most in-demand suburbs.

This development is built in 2011 – 2013. So they are over 10 years old.

Here’s how to tell if your investment will become a slum

Your townhouse and investment property could look slum-like. But, only if you let it.

A "slum" isn’t just about the structure

It’s about the ongoing condition and quality of the property management.

If you manage your tenants, and maintain the property ... your townhouse probably won’t look like trash.

And if you're worried your townhouse will look bad in a decade, you're probably the type of person who will take steps to avoid that.

The real enemy isn’t the “townhouse” – it’s neglect.

Just like villas, townhouses can last a long time and stay in demand — if you look after them.