- 5 months ago
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00:00Yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited too, mate.
00:03Tonight on House Hunters.
00:05Joe and Mark want to trade in their high-maintenance house
00:09for a low-maintenance lifestyle.
00:11I like my golf. I like surfing.
00:14But I think you're going to have to redesign this
00:16to fit all of my stuff in.
00:18Will Builder Mark ever get the chance to enjoy it?
00:21I just do what I'm told.
00:30Nelson Bay is on the north coast of New South Wales.
00:34It's known for its pristine beaches and relaxed lifestyle
00:37and it's where our empty-nester House Hunters live.
00:41And a town where, for obvious reasons, they're looking to stay.
00:45I'm Joe. I'm Mark.
00:48And it's time to downsize.
00:50We'll go for a swim later on? Yeah, definitely.
00:52We have a really good life.
00:54We have lots of fun and lots of laughs and we love to travel.
00:57We've seen some beautiful countries and places.
00:59Yeah, definitely love to travel.
01:01But with a five-bedroom, 1,500-square-metre family home,
01:05getting away is easier said than done.
01:08Every weekend, the upkeep is just hours and hours.
01:12So we want to downsize, have more time to ourselves
01:15and do some holidays.
01:18Yeah.
01:19How you going?
01:19Hey, Joe, how are you?
01:21How you going?
01:22Mark.
01:22I'm good.
01:23Hey, Joe.
01:24What really made our decision is when Scarlet, our daughter,
01:28decided to buy her house, which is just down the road, by the way.
01:33We don't want to be spending every weekend making sure the house is perfect
01:37because you know what I'm like.
01:38OCD.
01:40To the max.
01:41Hey, Markie.
01:42Exactly.
01:42We just want to have a life.
01:43We just want to be able to say, OK, let's shut the door, let's go, you know?
01:47OK, so what's on their wish list for this ideal home?
01:51Joe, she'd have five items.
01:53Me, I'd just have the garage and the outside.
01:56I'd be happy.
01:57Can we just circle back a bit?
01:59Did he say Joe would have five items?
02:01I want, like, a villa or a duplex, modern open kitchen,
02:07a beautiful outdoor opened area, plunge pool, solar panels,
02:12not a lot of gardens, at least three rooms, close to Scarlet,
02:16close to town and close to the beach.
02:18And Mark knows full well her feelings on the flooring.
02:23No carpets.
02:24Well, and if there is, we're changing it.
02:26That's right.
02:27Lucky he's a builder.
02:28Next.
02:29The wardrobes just wouldn't even cater my stuff.
02:31No, they don't cater you at all.
02:33So we'd have to redesign all of that.
02:35That's not a problem, is it?
02:37No.
02:38This is Joe's domain.
02:40I have to make sure that I can give her exactly what she wants.
02:45OK, so what about budget?
02:47Their current house has been valued at $1.5 million.
02:51But I'm guessing with all Joe's reno plans,
02:54they're going to need a bit left over.
02:56So I think $1.3 for our budget.
02:59That way it just frees up some money for us to do more.
03:02Sounds like the only travelling Mark's going to be doing
03:05is to the hardware and back.
03:07She might put on the overalls, but she won't be doing it.
03:10First house up for inspection is the perfect location.
03:17There's a couple of really nice houses there.
03:20Yeah.
03:20A mere stone's throw from where they are now in Nelson Bay.
03:24How long do you think it would take to get to Scarlet's and to the shops?
03:27It wouldn't have even been more than a 10-minute walk.
03:29Yeah, that's what I think, in both directions,
03:31to Scarlet and to the shops.
03:33Yeah.
03:33Probably five minutes to Dutchies.
03:35Yeah, totally.
03:36If you're wondering,
03:38Dutchies is local slang for the popular Dutchman's beach.
03:42So this is it here on your right-hand side.
03:45Oh, wow.
03:46Oh, this is nice.
03:47House number one.
03:49The Coastal Dream.
03:51Price Guide is at the top of their budget.
03:54$1.3 million.
03:58I love that garage already, girl.
04:00Do you think it's nice and wide for you?
04:02I think that's plenty there.
04:04Yeah.
04:04But look how quiet it is.
04:06Nice neighbourhood.
04:07Yeah.
04:08Mark and Jo, how are you?
04:09Hi, Jo.
04:10Nice to see you.
04:11Welcome to Nelson Bay.
04:12The property today has three bedrooms of accommodation,
04:15three bathrooms, double lock-up garage,
04:18and a great Norvally aspect.
04:20Oh, I can't wait to see it.
04:21So come on through.
04:22I really know the importance to be getting the boxes right for Jo,
04:26because I know Jo's going to be making the decisions.
04:29Oh, wow.
04:30Okay.
04:31Wow.
04:31For Mark's sake,
04:33let's just hope the decisions don't involve a hip replacement.
04:37Good for your calves, babe.
04:38Oh, wow.
04:40This is really lovely.
04:42Oh, this is nice.
04:42Really open.
04:44And the colour scheme's fine.
04:45Yeah, I like the light colour.
04:46You know, I think that will work well.
04:48Sounds positive.
04:50But the look on Mark's face is telling me it's too good to be true.
04:54The only thing is it's a little bit dark.
04:57Here we go.
04:57But if we change the flooring and then maybe put some skylights out there,
05:02I think that will bring more light into the property.
05:04I think you're right there, babe.
05:05Yeah.
05:05Another job for my wonderful handyman husband, Mark.
05:08I really love that B-board there.
05:13Yeah.
05:14I don't really like the brick and painted.
05:17Yeah.
05:17So do you think that you could do that all the way down there for me?
05:21I could say no, I don't think I could.
05:23But yes, I could do it to you.
05:25Yeah.
05:25The room has space, which is great.
05:28And it has a really great open kitchen.
05:32The island bench is really lovely.
05:34Yeah.
05:34Lounge room and entertainment area.
05:36I hope they leave the rug, babe.
05:41I don't.
05:43She definitely has high standards.
05:46So I have to be on my toes.
05:49Well, that makes one of you.
05:51There's certainly no tiptoeing where Jo's concerned.
05:54The carpet, got to go.
05:57I'm not sure about those lights.
05:59Pick your battles, Mark.
06:01Pick your battles.
06:02They're different.
06:03Yeah.
06:05Curtains?
06:06No, I don't like that.
06:08So that would have to change.
06:09But I love the outdoor area.
06:11Oh, the outdoor is awesome.
06:12That's it, Mark.
06:13Nearly there.
06:15Okay, Mark.
06:16Oh, walk-in row.
06:17The walk-in row is not going to fit all our stuff in this.
06:23Remember, you're a builder.
06:25You've got this.
06:26So you're saying it's only your stuff and my stuff in the garage?
06:31Yeah, but I think you're going to have to redesign this to fit all of my stuff in.
06:35I just think I'm really lucky that Mark is the wonderful builder that he is.
06:39Yes, I don't think it's big enough just for your stuff, babe.
06:43Here we go again.
06:45Okay, that's over and done with.
06:47Now, to your wish list, Mark, the big outdoor entertaining area where you can play poker with
06:53your mates over a couple of coldies.
06:55Wow, this is awesome.
06:57Setting, room for barbecue.
06:59It's a good-sized entertainment area.
07:01So spacious.
07:02Got the fan outside.
07:03Lighting's good.
07:04I'm happy.
07:07Yeah.
07:08It doesn't have a pool.
07:12And that's something that I really, really wanted.
07:15So we have to look to see if the size of the backyard will work for a pool.
07:20You better measure up.
07:23Our budget's 1.3.
07:25This house is 1.3.
07:27So we definitely have to look at our money.
07:30I'm hoping that I can give her what she wants.
07:36You know I always measure up, babe.
07:38Next.
07:39So what are your thoughts about maybe a skylight up here?
07:42That is a skylight.
07:43Is that a bigger one?
07:44Mark's hopes for a short to-do list dashed.
07:47I'm the one that's going to be doing the work.
07:49And what will leave even Joe?
07:52Speechless.
07:57Empty nesters Joe and Mark are ready to downsize from their large family home in Nelson Bay
08:03to something more manageable.
08:06But they don't want to move too far away.
08:08You know, like we've just come from a place where we can walk through the backyard into the
08:14heart of town.
08:15You know, take a bottle of wine, go down to a restaurant, not have to worry about getting
08:19in a car and driving.
08:20Yeah, perfect.
08:21Not that we're alcoholics or anything, but you know.
08:24I'll drink to that.
08:25But, so, what else do they have on their wish lists?
08:29Mark just wants a garage for his tools and surfboards and a low-maintenance outdoor area.
08:35Joe?
08:35Well, she wants pretty much everything.
08:38But top of her list, a pool, close to her daughter and to town.
08:43And a super-sized wardrobe.
08:45What would be ideal is that we can just have something that if we want to lock it up for
08:50a couple of months and go overseas, we can.
08:52Their maximum budget is $1.3 million.
08:56They're keeping some cash in reserve for Mark to do the renos.
09:00Joe will no doubt want.
09:02Is it here?
09:05That's nice.
09:06House number two, the beachside duplex.
09:10I really like it, Mark.
09:12Price guide, $1.2 million.
09:15It's really open.
09:17Yeah.
09:17Double garage is good.
09:18Yeah.
09:20Hi, Dane.
09:20This is great.
09:21This probably ticks all the boxes you're looking for.
09:24Dane, I don't reckon you've seen Joe's full list of boxes that need ticking.
09:28Let's go through and have a look at this stunning home.
09:30Yes.
09:31Let's.
09:34Yeah?
09:34Okay.
09:36Oh, at least the walls are straight, so that's a good thing.
09:39Straight walls, that should definitely be on the wish list.
09:44The carpet would have to go Mark.
09:46Yeah.
09:46I don't like the dark carpet.
09:47Fair enough, yeah.
09:49I like to put flooring down.
09:50Oh, yeah, the living room's good.
09:51Oh, this is lovely.
09:52Yeah.
09:53Yeah.
09:53Spacious.
09:54It's just a shame it doesn't have ducted.
09:56That's the only thing that's a little bit ugly there, but again, we can change that.
10:00Oh, maybe.
10:02Joe is funny about my opinion because she knows that I'm the one who's going to be doing
10:08the work.
10:09Mark, we all know you're the one who's going to be doing all the work.
10:13Okay, so what are your thoughts about maybe a skylight up here to make it a bit lighter?
10:18Well, that is a skylight.
10:20Is that a bigger one?
10:21Oh, probably.
10:21I think it's light enough in this room.
10:23Well, I rely on Mark a lot, actually, because when I go in, I go, oh, yes, this will work.
10:29That won't work, you know?
10:30Mark, being a builder, he can go, yes, Joe, this is doable, or no, we're not doing that.
10:37Does he ever really say that, though?
10:40So I think that will really work.
10:41Yeah, awesome.
10:42I just do what I'm told.
10:46Nice and open, isn't it?
10:49Yeah, good size.
10:49They're a bit different.
10:51They are, aren't they?
10:52I could say a few things about them, but I won't.
10:55It's all good.
10:56You just have to check the wardrobe out.
10:57You might need to do some work on that.
10:58Yeah, a few more shelves.
11:01Mark's to-do list make Joe's wardrobe bigger.
11:08Got it.
11:09Now, where's Dane to tell us what we're going to take a look at next?
11:13We're now going to have a look at the backyard.
11:16It's a really private backyard area.
11:18After yourself.
11:19Thanks, mate.
11:19Remember, Joe's desperate for a pool and Mark wants a low-maintenance entertaining area.
11:25I don't want to be doing too much garden work on weekends.
11:28I like my golf.
11:29I like surfing.
11:30Well, grab those clubs and wax that board, because this yard isn't just low-maintenance.
11:36It's no-maintenance.
11:38It was just bare.
11:50There's just nothing there.
11:52And again, it doesn't have a pool, because that's the main feature that I really want.
11:57Yeah, we could fit a plunge pool in.
12:01Yeah.
12:01Maybe a four-metre by three-metre.
12:03Yeah.
12:04There's always going to be things I've got to do, and yes, I'll snap to it.
12:09So, some pros and cons, but nothing Mark can't fix.
12:13And this house does have a huge drawcard.
12:16We're able to walk to Scarlett's place, walk down to the beach, walk down and go and have
12:21dinner, walk somewhere really central.
12:24I don't think walking's even on Joe's wish list, but it should be.
12:28It does need work, so it just depends on the price range.
12:31Yes.
12:31But I believe it ticks a lot of our boxes that we want.
12:34Yes.
12:34And the things that we're talking about that need to be fixed, they're easy.
12:38Yes.
12:39Because he's a good one.
12:40Still to come...
12:43Oh, wow.
12:43Look at the size of this.
12:45Could Joe's joy...
12:47This is insane.
12:49..be Mark's salvation?
12:51That's keeping her happy.
12:55House hunters Joe and Mark are headed to view their third and final property.
12:59We're moving further out from where we want to be, but again, it's in a good location.
13:05It's in Corlett, a stunning beachside suburb.
13:08But a 10-minute drive from their daughter Scarlett and Nelson Bay.
13:13Definitely not walking distance as they'd hoped.
13:16What was the price?
13:18That is sitting at 1.2.
13:20It's well and truly in our range.
13:22Yes.
13:23So far, ticking all the boxes on Joe's wish list has been tricky.
13:27Not surprising, given she wants everything.
13:30Especially that pool, which she's yet to find.
13:34To me, that's something important, you know?
13:37Yeah.
13:37So, you've got to have a space for a pool or a pool.
13:40Or a pool.
13:40Yeah.
13:41Mark just wants a low-maintenance backyard and a garage.
13:45We've got three-bedroom...
13:47Yep.
13:48..two-bathroom, double garage.
13:50That's a good bonus.
13:52Yeah.
13:52I'm excited.
13:55I'm excited too, babe.
13:57House number three, the Serene Oasis.
14:01List price, $1.2 million.
14:04This is the one, isn't it?
14:05Yep.
14:05Yep.
14:09Uh, no garage.
14:11That's more like a carport.
14:13I want a big garage.
14:14Aw, chin up, Mark.
14:16You can fix that.
14:17You're a builder.
14:18Besides, I reckon this house is going to tick a lot of Jo's boxes.
14:22And that's really the most important thing, isn't it?
14:25After you, Mark and Jo.
14:27Thanks, Jane.
14:27Thanks, Jane.
14:29Oh, this is looking all right.
14:31This is nice and open.
14:33Light the oven.
14:35That's my piece.
14:36That's a great size oven, too.
14:37That's a great size oven.
14:39Even though I do the cooking, Jo loves to do the prepping.
14:42Hang on.
14:43A cook, too?
14:44Jo's really hit the jackpot with you, Mark.
14:46The fridge width will fit our fridge in.
14:50I don't know if you could knock something out and put something in.
14:55Yeah.
14:56It's doable.
14:57Yeah, definitely.
14:58Yeah.
15:00We've got the wool carpet again.
15:02Ah, the carpet.
15:04Yeah.
15:04And that's a different colour going up the stairs as well.
15:07It's got to go.
15:08Where is that to-do list?
15:10This is a bit dangerous, especially like, um...
15:13Kints or something like that.
15:14Or you, after too many drinks.
15:18So, some pros and cons, but nothing Mark can't fix.
15:22Oh, wow.
15:23Look at the size of this.
15:25That's fantastic.
15:27That's a whole house in itself.
15:29I don't think I've ever seen anything as big as this for a bedroom.
15:33No.
15:33Mark knows Jo's a size queen, so he is hoping for his sake the wardrobe measures up.
15:39Oh, OK.
15:40Now I need to do some work on that.
15:42Oops.
15:43Just lacking a little bit of cupboard space.
15:45Yeah.
15:45So that's a builder's thing.
15:47You did know Mark's a builder?
15:49I think this is such a big room, we could probably divide it up and still have a decent-sized main bedroom.
15:56Yeah, definitely.
15:57And that's why you're the builder.
16:00Anyway, that's keeping her happy.
16:02Genius.
16:03Now, let's see if we can make her really happy.
16:08Oh, wow.
16:10Look at this.
16:11Finally, the pool Jo so desperately wanted.
16:15Wow, this is insane.
16:18It's like a little oasis out here.
16:20Very tropical.
16:22Beautiful palms everywhere.
16:26A little barley hut that you can sit under.
16:29I could just picture myself out there with Mark having a drink.
16:33I was blown away.
16:35What did you think?
16:36Well, it ticked the boxes for the pool because I absolutely love the pool and the entertainment area.
16:41So that really worked.
16:43It's a fair few k's.
16:44We have to drive the Scarlet's, but I definitely like our big bedroom.
16:49I thought that would be fantastic.
16:51Oh, you're calling it our big bedroom already?
16:52Well, of course, babe.
16:53Oh, unless you want to sleep downstairs, I'm fine with that.
16:56What did you think of the price?
16:58There's still a lot of things that need to be done for us to be satisfied.
17:03We really have to work out how much those items are going to cost.
17:08Next.
17:09That's definitely going to cut into our travelling budget.
17:12It is.
17:12Joe and Mark take the plunge.
17:14One, two, three.
17:17Oh, wow.
17:21House hunters Joe and Mark are selling up the family home and downsizing.
17:25They both want to be near the beach, within walking distance from their daughter and town.
17:30And to be able to lock up and travel the world at a moment's notice, Mark would also like a low maintenance backyard and a garage for all his stuff.
17:39Joe wants a modern duplex with an open kitchen, outdoor area, plunge pool, small garden, three bedrooms, floorboards, huge wardrobe, ducted air conditioning, solar panels.
17:49Then there's the list of what she doesn't want, but frankly, I am too exhausted to go into it.
17:55With a budget of $1.3 million and a potential to-do list for Mark a mile long, it's time to choose.
18:03It's been great.
18:04Okay, so the Coastal Dream property, the kitchen is, I love the island bar in the outdoor area, was just beautiful and open.
18:14That's my domain.
18:15I can have family there.
18:17But we don't have a pool.
18:18Yeah, and the tiles are too dark.
18:20We want a light colour.
18:21And it doesn't have solar panels.
18:23So that's definitely going to cut into our travelling budget.
18:27It is, yes.
18:27You know, that's why we chose to downsize.
18:30Yes, exactly.
18:31Downsize.
18:32The beachside duplex, what were your thoughts on that one?
18:35Definitely liked the front balcony, because that was a fair size.
18:39So it was family, friends, whatever.
18:41You go upstairs, and I really loved the high ceilings.
18:45I thought that was really lovely and open.
18:48The kitchen obviously needs some work.
18:50I thought the kitchen was really bland.
18:51I didn't mind the kitchen, because it had the island bench.
18:54Yeah.
18:55The carpet's got to go.
18:56Yeah.
18:57You'd have to put flooring down.
18:59When we went outside, well, hello.
19:03I know.
19:03There's nothing there.
19:04I know.
19:05It's very barren.
19:06So.
19:07I loved the location.
19:09Like, to walk to Scarlet and to the heart of town,
19:1210 minutes at the most.
19:14OK, so the Serene Oasis, hon, what did you think of that property?
19:17Coming from the driveway, that carport, you know,
19:20like, I want a garage.
19:22I want to lock up.
19:23So going into the living area,
19:25and then that drop-off,
19:27you wouldn't want too many bourbons,
19:29you'd go right off that drop-off.
19:31Yes, definitely.
19:33Because I absolutely love the pool and the entertainment area.
19:36I loved the barley hut.
19:38Yeah.
19:38I thought the garden was manageable.
19:40I love it.
19:42And I just feel like it's a really hard decision, you know.
19:45It is, a lot of pressure.
19:47So, will it be the coastal dream,
19:50close to the beach with a double garage for Mark?
19:53Or perhaps the beachside duplex with its open plan living
19:57and blank canvas to create their ideal backyard?
20:02Or will they choose the Serene Oasis,
20:04further from their daughter,
20:06but with the pool Joe so desperately wants?
20:08No peeking.
20:11One, two, three.
20:14Oh, wow.
20:15Look at it.
20:16We've brought a home.
20:17We have brought a home.
20:18We've brought our coastal dream.
20:19How good's that?
20:20That's awesome.
20:21I get my garage.
20:24We've got the entertainment area.
20:26We've got a beautiful kitchen.
20:28This place is awesome.
20:30I know.
20:30I really like it.
20:31I really love the open space and, you know,
20:34just the room and everything.
20:36Oh, cheers, guys.
20:39To have something that we really love
20:41that is still so close to everything that we want,
20:45walking distance to you guys' house,
20:47walking distance to town
20:49and walking distance straight down to Dutchies.
20:51We'll make some changes.
20:52We'll really give it that Hamptons beachy feel
20:55and I think it'll look amazing.
20:57The Joe touch.
20:58What are you going to do with that extra bit of cash
21:01seeing you've got such a good price?
21:03We paid 1.25.
21:04We've got 50k left in our budget.
21:07We're going on a holiday.
21:08Travel, here we come.
21:10Should we cheers to this?
21:12I think so.
21:12Oh!
21:15Fantastic.
21:16And even though we're standing where our pool's going to be,
21:18we're going to get that pool.
21:21Cheers.
21:22Cheers, guys.
21:23Cheers.
21:23Let's go.
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