Stunning views and lots of space attracted the couple to the six-bedroomed house in Willington.
But it was the river at the bottom of the near-acre garden which floated their three children's boat.
"We quickly bought kayaks," laughed 48-year-old Tracy. "We knew we had to take advantage of having the River Trent running at the bottom of the garden.
"When we moved to Riverdale Lodge, we saw people having fun on the water so we bought kayaks.
"You can sit in the garden and see jet-skiers go by. It's a really great place to be. We bought a bench and put it down by the river. We've been truly spoilt."
Tracy and Neville had one wish when they moved back to the UK after working overseas for 15 years – to be in Derbyshire.
A director at Heavyweight Air Express, Neville, 48, needed to be near East Midlands Airport.
"Willington seemed like the perfect place to live," said Tracy. "Obviously we needed to find schools for the children and Neville needed to be near to the airport.
"When we saw this house, it was perfect for us.
"We wanted enough room so my mother could also move in with us and the annex was perfect for her. It ticked all the boxes.
"We wanted to buy somewhere and this house is just what we were looking for."
Tracy and Neville have lived in Hong Kong, Dubai, Brussels and Bahrain. They left the UK when their daughters, Hannah and Laura, were very young.
Their son, Liam, who is now 15, was born in Hong Kong.
"We've lived in some lovely places but coming back to the UK gave us the chance to search for something special.
"When we viewed the house on Ferry Green, we knew we could see ourselves living here. It was wonderful. The house had been refurbished by the previous owner and he had done a fantastic job."
It is not often you receive an invitation to step inside a million-pound property. The Karais are selling up and that's why they happily showed me round.
The couple are downsizing now 21-year-old Hannah and Laura, 18, have left and gone to university.
"My mum moved out too," said Tracy. "She went to live in a residential home and Liam is at school all the time. His days are long. He doesn't get home until 9pm.
"We've decided to sell up and buy a smaller house."
The property on Ferry Green does not look nearly as big from the drive. But as well as its six bedrooms, it also has a two-storey, two-bedroom annex with a gym and office.
"This annex was a separate property when we bought the house," said Tracy. "But when my mum came to stay, we joined the two houses together.
"We thought it would work better for us and it has. Neville uses the gym and Liam likes playing his computer games in there."
Downstairs, there are four reception rooms – including a beautiful sun lounge, which looks out across the garden.
The kitchen is stunning. Solid oak woodwork, granite surfaces and built-in appliances create a chic look and Tracy's eye for interior design certainly complements this space.
"I have enjoyed putting my stamp on this house," she said. "I don't think I'm very good at it, but I suppose some of it looks nice.
"For me, it has been good to be back in the UK. It has been great to buy a house and I've loved making it ours.
"Living abroad has been fun and we always wanted to live overseas, but having this house has been wonderful."
Climb the semi-galleried oak staircase and the house is just as lovely.
Five bathrooms and six spacious bedrooms take out the top floor.
Immensely impressed with her en-suite bathroom, Tracy is keen to show off her "car-wash" shower.
"It's the biggest, blasting shower ever," she laughed. "I've never experienced anything like it. It's like being in a car wash – that's how I describe it.
"It's such a soaker. I love it.
"Joking apart, we always felt lucky to snap up this house. It has been perfect."
The property also has a quadruple garage and tennis court. And in the back garden – nestled close to the property – is the cutest breeze house you've ever seen.
Tracy loves the wooden gazebo-style hut. She's quick to point it out.
"It's heated and has sides which come down, if you get a bit cold. It's the most lovely thing to have in the garden. It has electricity and everything.
"When we first moved in, we considered moving it closer to the river, but we didn't.
"We have used it quite a lot. It is makes the garden look really pretty.
"When I sit here in the evenings, I do feel sad about moving on.
"We've loved being here and I know the children have enjoyed it too.
"But we need something smaller now the family is growing up.
"I have no idea where we'll go. I have been tempted to look around – you can't resist, can you?
"But until this house is sold, I'm not dashing off viewing properties.
"I like Melbourne," said Tracy. "But we need a buyer for this place first."
* Riverdale Lodge – and the annex on Ferry Green, Willington, is being marketed by Frank Innes. Overs only £1,000,000 will be considered by the Karais. For details, call the agent on 01283 332011.
