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00:13This season, as we celebrate our 200th episode, the house has literally soiled itself.
00:21You're really very rude.
00:23It takes years of practice then.
00:24Even the agent has given up.
00:26Look, these homeowners really need our help.
00:30We're a bit lost.
00:33Can we just stop this?
00:35This is pretty exciting.
00:37We will tackle our toughest challenges yet.
00:39It is crazy.
00:42I need more.
00:43You always want more.
00:44And with them.
00:45This is amazing.
00:47Will come our greatest rewards.
00:49Oh my.
00:52Stunning.
00:53Just incredible.
00:55This is insane.
00:57To see all this kindness and generosity, we're just really grateful.
01:16Every now and then, you walk into a place that feels more like a riddle than a room.
01:22Some homes are like this, eclectic, deeply personal and layered in meaning.
01:28But when that meaning is lost in translation, buyers are left scratching their heads.
01:35The more confusing the layout, the more personal the style, the harder it is for buyers to connect.
01:42If people feel they've got a puzzle to solve just to understand a house, they give up.
01:56Meet our homeowner, Lynn, and her devoted son, Tom.
02:01She met Tom's dad, Don, the love of her life, when she was a teenager during the heady days of
02:07disco.
02:07There was a place called Fiesta Villa that was the place to be.
02:14So, Lynn, dressed in her fake leather red hot pants, sidled in and attracted the attention of my husband.
02:23I didn't need to know that.
02:26I didn't need to know that.
02:26I need a water.
02:29Soon after, the deliriously happy couple started building a wonderful life together with their three much-adored children,
02:36moving into their dream home in Adelaide's eastern suburb of Ross Trevor,
02:41where they set about carving joyful memories and making every inch their own.
02:47I don't think there's a single corner of this house that hasn't been changed.
02:51It's very much a reflection, I think, of your marriage, of your dad.
02:55The swimming pool was there when we came.
02:57My husband thought pools were okay, but they were too wet.
03:01So, we decided to build the veranda.
03:05And it was a good decision.
03:07It gave the space for all my many parties.
03:11I don't have to mow pavers, so that to me is a bonus.
03:15It was their forever home.
03:18We would happily have stayed here until we are carted out in a pine box.
03:23Oh, probably a cardboard one, being environmentalists.
03:29But their dream lives were shattered when just two years ago, Don unexpectedly died,
03:35following a fall while on a family holiday.
03:39It was totally unexpected, heartbreaking, kept expecting to see him come wandering down the stairs.
03:49I think I was so focused on mum, and it wasn't until probably six months later before it really sunk
03:56in that he wasn't coming back.
03:58Sadly, the home, which was a haven, is now a source of painful reminders of a life that once was.
04:06The upstairs area is upsetting.
04:09It highlights the absence of my husband, and I avoid going there.
04:16So, a year ago, Lynne took the huge step to sell up and start afresh.
04:22Problem is, no one loved it as much as she did.
04:26It was hard watching her not able to sell the house.
04:30It was very demoralising.
04:32I was really gutted.
04:35Not wanting to see his mum go through that again, Tom's now on board to help, but doesn't know where
04:41to start.
04:43We know we have to change it, but none of us have any interior design skills.
04:48So, we need help.
04:49At the moment, we're a bit lost.
04:56Ross Trevor seems to comprise of primarily big, freestanding homes, various ages, most of them very established.
05:04You've got a Tudor one there.
05:06Beautiful.
05:08One with many arches.
05:11According to the maps, this is Lynne Street, and I can see the hills right in front of me.
05:16That's pretty impressive.
05:20Oh.
05:21It does look like there is a house hiding in there.
05:25I don't see much from here.
05:27Let's go and find out.
05:32You think you've got all the leaves that there are and more drop.
05:37Hello.
05:38Hi.
05:39Put your broom down and come and join me in the drive.
05:41Oh, you don't want me to be a witch anymore.
05:44I wanted to have a proper look at this house.
05:48All you can see from the street
05:51is this little bit.
05:52You can't see any of that that's hidden behind the jungle there.
05:56It's a surprise package.
05:57You're not a gardener.
05:58No.
05:59No.
06:02So here's the entrance.
06:03It's actually, gosh, it's quite a...
06:05It is nice.
06:06...grand entrance.
06:07And we've got leaded lights going on.
06:09A little bit of mould there on the...
06:10Oh, don't look too closely.
06:12No, not what I do.
06:13That's what I do, Lynn.
06:14Just warning you, I look very closely.
06:19Ah.
06:22Oh.
06:24It's pitch black.
06:25Yeah.
06:26Not a lot of natural light.
06:27No.
06:28Those leaded light nod to Victorian design.
06:33Ugh.
06:35They're not original.
06:37No.
06:37They were designed by me.
06:39It was a good idea to let some light in,
06:41but then she covered it up with lead lights.
06:43I think it looked good.
06:45In a Victorian home, yes.
06:47In the 1970s, no.
06:50So what's down there?
06:52Yes, this is traditionally known as the kids' wing.
06:55Oh, how many bedrooms?
06:55Three.
06:56Three here.
07:00Jeez, it is dark.
07:02Right down to this world's biggest dining room.
07:06Yes.
07:06OK.
07:08I've filled it with people many times.
07:10I bet you have.
07:11This is an incredible space.
07:13And then we've got a sunken...
07:15Oh, this is the atrium.
07:17Yes.
07:19And there is light coming in there.
07:21It's a good 45 minutes in the day
07:23where you do get a decent amount of work.
07:2445 minutes.
07:24Oh, don't be rude.
07:26Yeah, yeah, I like him.
07:28So in other words,
07:28the agent's going to only do viewings
07:30for those 45 minutes
07:31when the sun's streaming in
07:32and we need a sunny day.
07:33Other than that,
07:34it should be an easy sell.
07:36The house is gargantuan and confused.
07:41There are three bedrooms, a family bathroom, kitchen with meals area,
07:46laundry, a dining room and sunken lounge on the ground floor.
07:49Then there's not just one but two flights of stairs leading to the master bedroom with en suite and walk
07:56-in robe,
07:56additional lounge with mezzanine office space above,
08:00and another room that's altogether very, well, foreign.
08:09Oh, my...
08:11I've just gone on holiday to Morocco.
08:13Exactly.
08:16Lynn, wow.
08:17Not expecting this in suburban Adelaide.
08:20It's a lot.
08:21There's a long story to go with this.
08:24Back in the 70s or the Stone Age...
08:26I'm limited on time now.
08:28My husband and I ended up in Morocco.
08:31And you loved it, didn't you?
08:32Don always wanted to reproduce the look of it,
08:35the feel of it, the culture,
08:36and this is the result.
08:39OK.
08:40Well, I have never seen such hideous vertical blinds.
08:46Oh!
08:48Absolutely shocking.
08:49Andrew, we've been telling you this for years, but she hasn't listened.
08:52Oh, yeah.
08:52Are you enjoying this?
08:53Yeah, you are.
08:54Very much.
08:55So, what else do we have on this level?
08:57The main bedroom.
08:58Right.
08:59Well, you've got camels in there?
09:01No.
09:04So, main bed.
09:06Yes.
09:07It's a reasonable size.
09:08It has an ensuite.
09:10And a walk-in wardrobe.
09:12I guess the ensuite's original.
09:13No.
09:14Oh!
09:14We have renovated everything in this house.
09:17Oh, OK.
09:19I'm just trying to see which bit you renovated.
09:22All right.
09:23You're really very rude.
09:24I am.
09:25Well, it takes years of practice, Lynn.
09:26I'm just going to let you say what we can't say.
09:29OK.
09:31Oh, it's like a tunnel.
09:33Through the rumpus,
09:35complete with its own mezzanine office,
09:37and down the second staircase,
09:40we arrive at the underwhelming kitchen.
09:43What I can't get over is you have a ginormous house,
09:49and then the kitchen is this cramped little galley up here,
09:54and, ooh, I need to get something from the fridge.
10:00I'm all the way back.
10:02What's this?
10:03Well, it's the remnant of the 70s from the toilet window when we replaced that.
10:12Yes, it's a hanging toilet window, Andrew.
10:15But in the hatch.
10:17And that was to fill up the space.
10:19That is a first.
10:21Shall we go and look at the garden?
10:22It looks like...
10:23Urgently.
10:27Well, this is all brish.
10:31I look and I think, who's going to buy this house?
10:34Young family, right?
10:35Yes.
10:36It's nowhere to play.
10:38Where do they put the trampolines, the swings?
10:40It was never a garden.
10:41No, no, it's never had any grass.
10:43Hmm.
10:46So, when did it come on the market?
10:48What's been happening?
10:48So, it was on the market about a year ago for a couple of months.
10:51What are you hoping to get for it, Lyn?
10:541.2 would be wonderful.
10:56I feel like 1.1 is probably more reasonable.
10:59Rarely do I say this.
11:01This is not all about price.
11:04From my perspective, it's too much for buyers.
11:06There's nothing that they're connecting with.
11:08Yes.
11:09They can't really work out how to use the spaces.
11:11It's very dark.
11:12It's just so overwhelming.
11:14There's potential here, but there's a lot of work to do.
11:20Blessed with the best of both worlds,
11:22Ross Trevor's only 20 minutes to the Adelaide CBD,
11:26yet on the doorstep of the charming Adelaide Hills.
11:30A magnet for families,
11:32it boasts highly sought-after schools
11:33and handy shopping centres nearby.
11:38Looking at recent sales,
11:39the last three months has been nearly 40 house sales
11:42in this suburb alone,
11:43which is really, really good.
11:45One actually hit 2.8,
11:47and there was another one in the two.
11:48So, the market is pretty strong at the moment.
11:51Interestingly, though,
11:52when you look at what's actually for sale,
11:54family house-wise,
11:55for under about one and a half,
11:57there's only about three or four houses for sale.
12:00So,
12:01Lyn could do all right on this,
12:02if Dennis and Wendy get it right, of course.
12:07So, what's holding Lyn's place back from selling?
12:11Well, there's a home I want her to see
12:13just three minutes away from hers
12:15that has the answer.
12:17Well, this is the one I want us to have a little look at.
12:20What do you think of this one?
12:22Well, that brick is looking very familiar.
12:25Yes, isn't it just?
12:26Same era.
12:28The difference is that sign.
12:30Come on through.
12:31OK.
12:33While it has a slightly smaller footprint,
12:36it certainly has the same 70s aesthetic as Lyn's.
12:40After you, if you'd like to go in there on your left.
12:43But unlike her confusing rabbit warren,
12:46it does have a clear and easy-to-navigate floor plan.
12:50Downstairs is the lounge,
12:52dining room,
12:54kitchen,
12:55and a large rumpus.
12:57The open brick's a bit overpowering and very heavy.
13:01Yeah.
13:03Upstairs is equally straightforward
13:05with four light-filled bedrooms,
13:07all leading off a central corridor.
13:12Your place may not be renovated to everyone's taste,
13:15but at least it was renovated.
13:16This is true.
13:18As well as a, shall we say,
13:20vintage bathroom.
13:21Mine might be green,
13:24but I think it's a little bit more pleasant.
13:28Outside the untidy but conventional backyard
13:31offers far more in the way of greenery than Lyn's.
13:35Quite a nice usable space.
13:40Welcome to this beautiful, original kitchen.
13:44So, now you've looked around,
13:46why do you think this one sold?
13:49Perhaps they weren't asking very much for it.
13:52Okay, so you think it was price?
13:54What do you think it sold for, though?
13:56I like to think it hit a million,
13:57but it may have bounced to the other side.
13:59I'm not sure.
14:00Went for a million and 21.
14:03Okay.
14:04Now, I actually don't think this is bad news for you.
14:07Yes.
14:08This is evidence that a million plus
14:10is a renovator's value.
14:13This has natural light, yours doesn't.
14:15Everything's where you want it to be.
14:17There's even front and back lawn.
14:19So, it clearly gave a young family,
14:22which is our target audience,
14:24a renovator that they could get their head around.
14:27They weren't confused.
14:28It isn't dark and gloomy,
14:29and it doesn't have hints of Morocco.
14:32But other than that, you're nearly there.
14:33Yeah.
14:33It's hardly anything to do to yours.
14:37So, somehow, we need to make Lynn's confusing home
14:40feel like a far simpler proposition to buyers.
14:44Wendy, Dennis, where are you?
14:59We are in Adelaide,
15:00helping Lynn sell her 1970s home,
15:04bedevilled by an eclectic mix of overly personal touches.
15:07So, can Wendy and Dennis make this confusing home appeal
15:12to the modern family market?
15:15I do love Adelaide.
15:17So many trees.
15:20Look, we are up in the hills.
15:22Yeah, well, you know what the hills are alive with.
15:26Andrew, hysterically laughing.
15:28Yes.
15:28Waiting for us to see what he's got in store.
15:30Like a kookaburra sitting in the tree and looking down at us.
15:36Is this it?
15:39Oh, yes, it is.
15:48It doesn't get much more suburban than this.
15:51About time!
15:52Your Majesty.
15:54You're going to do the royal wave?
15:56You've been on a wine tour, haven't you?
15:58Yeah, I knew it.
15:59I'm coming down to join you via Morocco.
16:03What is Morocco?
16:06Oh, finally.
16:08Come to join us.
16:09It's a big house, as you will discover.
16:13You're going to love it.
16:14Look at the joy on his face.
16:16Oh.
16:19I have to say, those vertical blinds are not filling me with hope.
16:22There's things hidden behind it.
16:24Oh, so many things hidden.
16:26I'd love to show you around this house.
16:28In fact, with great glee and delight, I'm going to show you this house.
16:31Oh, you're so mean.
16:33Don't relax, Dennis.
16:34I'll see you at the back.
16:35And you'll have your coronary.
16:36Good joy.
16:43What is this?
16:46What is doing there?
16:51Wow.
16:53Possibly not your expectations of a 70s classic.
16:56No, it's like a whole different era in here.
16:59You have that balustrade, which looks like it's faux 1910.
17:03It's such a weird mix of eras.
17:07And it's really dark.
17:09Yes.
17:10And here we are, missing all the good bits, which is it's got space, it's got volume,
17:14but every bar will be doing exactly what you've just done.
17:17It's gloomy.
17:18It's dark.
17:19The era inside doesn't match the facade.
17:23Down here, you really get that sense of volume, but there is no light.
17:28Yep.
17:29The furniture is dark and heavy, and the colour scheme doesn't help.
17:35But the room itself has got really good bones.
17:39We've got to look at the kitchen now.
17:42I don't know why there's two doors.
17:45Boo.
17:46Oh, I was hoping I'd lose you then.
17:48No, no, it's such a light.
17:50Now, are you ready for this?
17:51Look, look, look, look.
17:53Tiny little cramped-in kitchen.
17:55Really?
17:55All that space there.
17:57Wow, you do really feel boxed in here, don't you?
18:01The fridge, look.
18:03Wow, that fridge needs its own passcode.
18:06It's really not a good design.
18:08No.
18:10Wendy Moore, I'd like to whisk you away to Morocco.
18:15Ready for this?
18:21I am quite literally lost for words.
18:25So, Lynne's late husband loved Morocco.
18:29Right.
18:30And so it's got real sentimental attachment.
18:33This is a house of great family memories, 35 years being living here.
18:37This sort of sums it up.
18:39You cannot imagine yourself using this room,
18:43because it doesn't feel like anyone's room, but hers.
18:47Yeah.
18:48In real estate mode, I just look at this room and go,
18:51wow, vaulted ceilings, balcony.
18:52It could be the best second living area.
18:55I know.
18:56It's just so hyper-personal.
18:59Mm.
19:02Meanwhile, it's time to face up to Dennis.
19:06What have you done to me?
19:08I know.
19:09Where do the kids play?
19:11Like, there's no lawn area.
19:12It is just concrete, hard surfaces everywhere.
19:15It's like a prison yard.
19:18What is this?
19:20This is, like, so dominating out here.
19:23It just makes it feel like a dungeon.
19:25It just feels all so heavy.
19:27Not to say that it's obviously zapping the light we desperately need inside the house.
19:32It's just the gift that keeps on giving.
19:36So, as you can see, it should really be an easy woman on a low budget.
19:39Yeah.
19:39Yeah.
19:40Oh, here she is.
19:41Yes, here I am.
19:42Yeah.
19:43Now, okay, before you two start whinging, I'll tell you a little bit of the backstory about lovely Lynn.
19:49This was the family home for the last 35 years.
19:52Sadly, she lost her husband a couple of years ago, which is what has motivated this sale.
19:57It's been on the market, really sensible sale price, and no offers, no interest at all.
20:04It is a lifetime of memories for her, and it's really hard to be objective in that situation.
20:12It's really hard to take a step back and see it as anything other than your home.
20:17From the moment you walk in, you're just crowded by so many personalities.
20:22The outside doesn't match the inside, there's all these Federation finishes, and then, you
20:28know, we've got the Moroccan room.
20:29It feels too personal.
20:31And then the floor plan.
20:33Yeah.
20:33The kitchen just doesn't talk to the rest of the house, and no natural light for me on
20:38the inside.
20:39And that's definitely the situation at the front.
20:41Those trees are just blocking all that natural light.
20:45And then you come out the back, there's no family-friendly area.
20:48It's sitting here now, you can feel the heat coming through that roof.
20:51And nowhere for Breeze to come through.
20:54Correct.
20:55Come on.
20:56Let's go and meet them.
20:59This is undoubtedly going to be tough for Lynne, and it certainly sounds like this large house
21:05will need an equally large budget if we're to help her achieve the $1.2 million she so desperately
21:12needs to move on.
21:14So, time to find out how much cash is on the table.
21:19All right, now we can do the introductions then.
21:22So, Dennis and Wendy meet Tom and Lynette.
21:25Hello.
21:26Hello, guys.
21:26It's Lynne.
21:27Sorry, Lynne.
21:28Sorry, Lynne.
21:29We normally have an agent with us.
21:31Yeah.
21:31At this moment, we're between agents.
21:33I'm just thinking maybe we start with what the great Australian buying public think first.
21:38I have ramped up my emotional resilience.
21:42Oh, good.
21:43Ready for all the cruel comments that are about to be made.
21:46One hour with Andrew will get you ready to go.
21:48Yeah, she didn't think I was a bit rude.
21:50Are you ready?
21:54God, the gardens need a bit of work.
21:55Yeah, gardens need a lot of work, actually.
21:58There's a lot of overgrown trees.
22:00You really can't see it from the front.
22:04Shall we go in?
22:05Very brown.
22:06Yeah, it's a bit dark.
22:08I think it's a bit surprising.
22:09Dark it is.
22:11But that, yuck.
22:13Come on, emotional resilience.
22:15Build up.
22:17Guys, this is a kitchen.
22:20For quite a large house, it's a tiny kitchen.
22:23Oh.
22:25What's this meant to be?
22:28Do you remember I Dream of Janie?
22:30I feel like I'm in the bottle.
22:33I don't think it suits my needs.
22:37It's too much.
22:38It's just too much.
22:40It's too much.
22:41So, no grass, which is something that we really want for the baby.
22:46Everything's in your face.
22:48And nothing's glowing.
22:49And dark.
22:50I wouldn't pay more than $8 to $8.50.
22:56I think probably $900,000.
22:59I'd say $8,000, low $8,000.
23:02Yeah.
23:02Definitely.
23:03Yeah.
23:06Wow.
23:08Actually, you did very well there, Lynne.
23:11And what did you think of the feedback?
23:13Well, hurtful, but very fair.
23:16Okay.
23:17Okay.
23:17So, sum up.
23:19Your key points would be what?
23:22Look, it's pretty simple.
23:23It is a very personal house.
23:25It's a family house.
23:26You've made it completely and utterly yours.
23:29Yes.
23:29And that's great when you want to live in it.
23:32Yeah.
23:32But you need to remove some of that in order to let somebody else see themselves in it.
23:36Yeah.
23:36We need to address the amount of natural light that's coming in and just the sense of light
23:42and space and the heavy furniture and the heavy colours.
23:45And I think we need just one cohesive, calm scheme.
23:49Yes.
23:50And then probably for me, which Dennis is not going to like hearing, I think that we do have
23:55a floor plan problem.
23:57The kitchen isn't fit for the kind of family that's looking to buy a house here.
24:02A 20 chances kitchen.
24:03It's just not, it's not connected to the living spaces.
24:07It's really not big enough.
24:09I think I can do it, but it does depend on the engineering.
24:13The front yard doesn't particularly worry me.
24:15I've got to remove some of the foliage because it's just so high and it's going to allow some
24:19more lighting.
24:19Then you go into the back, which really is the back because there's no yard to it whatsoever.
24:25It's just hard surface on hard surface.
24:27So I would love to be able to remove that paving and sort out an area that families are going
24:34to be able to enjoy.
24:35Because at the moment, those buyers are being alienated.
24:39That's going to cost some money.
24:41So on that basis, maybe we should start talking about money.
24:44Yes.
24:46So how much?
24:49I'm easily available.
24:51I could only manage 15,000.
25:00What time is my flight again?
25:07Yeah, look, I know we need to spend money.
25:13So I'm happy to chip in and get us to 100.
25:16Oh, if that's enough.
25:19Wow.
25:20That's it.
25:20Yeah.
25:25You have lovely children.
25:27I do.
25:27Yeah.
25:28I'm keeping him.
25:29Yeah.
25:29I think there's three children.
25:30Is that right?
25:31Guess who's gone to number one now, right?
25:33Who's family favorite?
25:35The other two.
25:36Okay.
25:37Okay, so whilst we've got a fairly healthy budget, we've got lots of work ahead for us
25:43all.
25:43You're going to have to walk through at least one more time.
25:46Exactly.
26:02Lynne's Adelaide Home needs some serious help to make it appeal to the family market.
26:09So it's time to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in.
26:19This is a house that's deeply loved by Lynne, but to new buyers, it is a confused mix of
26:25personalities.
26:26So my job is to simplify this.
26:29I'm going to create a single personality that makes sense with this home that's currently
26:35in crisis.
26:37The kitchen worked for Lynne and her family, but won't meet buyers' expectations.
26:43So I'm going to open it up to the dining area.
26:47Then I'll introduce a cohesive color scheme that will shed light into even the darkest
26:52corners.
26:54Plus, I'll use consistent styling to eradicate the current confusion of very personal taste.
27:02But that's the part that'll be the hardest for Lynne.
27:06Oh, this is a bit sad.
27:11Hello.
27:12Hi.
27:13How are you going?
27:14Well, it's a bit gut-wrenching, really.
27:17I know, I was thinking that.
27:18That's why I'd sort of come up and give you a hand.
27:20You know, this was my husband's dream.
27:22I'm really amazed at your bravery to do this.
27:26It must be hard packing it up now.
27:28It is, and initially it was really hard to even come into the room.
27:34Yeah.
27:34I'm really sorry.
27:36And so what are you going to do next, do you think?
27:38I'm looking at one of those retirement villages now.
27:41I know I'm not old enough to be in one of those.
27:45I know.
27:45But I understand that there are some wild people in those places as well.
27:51And if there wasn't before, there's still more people.
27:54Looking for wild people.
27:59This house has great bones, but you cannot see it because there's patios, gazebos, and
28:04pergolas everywhere.
28:05Not to mention the vines and overgrowth out the front.
28:08So I'm going to open it all up.
28:11Helping Wendy by getting rid of this light blocking foliage and useless additions to the
28:16home.
28:20The rear will also get some breathing space by removing the suffocating hard surfaces,
28:25making it a backyard once again.
28:28There is nothing soft and friendly about this area whatsoever.
28:32With the on and gone, my transformation can get underway in earnest.
28:38I'm lifting all the brick pavers, bringing in some soil, and laying some awesome turf.
28:44Just perfect for our target family buyers.
28:46I'll rid the beds of their out-of-control plants and instead introduce a more consistent border
28:52planting scheme.
28:53The gazebo will stay for a shady spot to watch the kids play from.
28:57But I'll replace the lattice with more stylish vertical slats.
29:01Next to that will be the mother-of-all barbecue areas.
29:08This is absolutely crazy.
29:11We've got a pavers coming up.
29:12We've got a tree lopper getting the foliage down.
29:14I've got chippies working on this patio area.
29:18Honestly, it is crazy.
29:34Have a look at this.
29:36Look how much light we've got now.
29:38This is amazing.
29:40With the wall gone, I can build a generous new breakfast bar that will push out into the
29:45dining room, increasing the floor area of the kitchen significantly.
29:50I'll reposition the fridge in a much more functional spot.
29:53And I'll use quartz benchtops along with pendant lighting to enhance the newfound light in this
30:00space.
30:03Hi.
30:04Wendy, what have you done to my house?
30:09So much.
30:10We've done so much.
30:11Look, there's enough people for a party.
30:18It's not just inside that Lynn's home is coming out from the shadows.
30:24These conifers were planted in the wrong space and they'd outgrown their situation.
30:29Now, by removing them, they have allowed so much more light in this place.
30:33It feels so much more welcoming.
30:36Let there be light.
30:42My other nemesis to get the heave-ho out the front is this pergola that's also stealing
30:47light from inside.
30:49It's a goner.
30:51You owe me, Wendy.
30:58I'm bringing consistency to the style of this home.
31:02Architecturally, it's a 1970s classic and I want to let that shine.
31:07So, I'm removing anything that doesn't fit in with that cool and calm mid-century vibe.
31:13And this Federation-style balustrade is a great example of that.
31:18So, it's going.
31:20Couldn't have happened to a nicer balustrade.
31:23This batten screen is far more in keeping with the 70s feel and it sets the scene for
31:29the rest of the house.
31:30Looks good.
31:31Well done.
31:33The consistent cool and calm vibe will also come from using paint in warm grey and white
31:39hues, creating a cosy backdrop for my finishing touches.
31:52Plants are already arriving.
31:53So, it's just as well then.
31:55I've got a couple of extra helpers.
32:01Unbelievable.
32:03It's not my house.
32:05What do you feel?
32:06It lets in so much more light.
32:07It suddenly just looks different.
32:09Yeah.
32:10I mean, I forgot about this whole view, to be honest.
32:12Yeah.
32:13The satellite dish, it's a good place for birds to poop on.
32:28Buyers were confused and scared by the hodgepodge of very personal styles in this house.
32:34Nowhere more so than in Lynne's Moroccan room.
32:38But, with the artefacts and sentimental items gone, we can exploit this room's true potential.
32:45Light's already pouring in, thanks to Dennis' work outside, and painting the brickwork will
32:51enhance that further.
32:53And here's a couple of pointers that'll help you create bright but warm spaces.
32:58If you've got a big wall like this, you don't want to use a pure white, because it ends up
33:03making a room feel cold and clinical, rather than light and bright and airy.
33:08Another trick is that I've gone with a low sheen.
33:10When you've got imperfect surfaces like this, having a low sheen just reduces the obviousness
33:16of those imperfections.
33:18So, two good tricks, and it's made a huge difference.
33:26Overgrown vegetation in the front yard meant this house lacked curb appeal for buyers.
33:31So, my new planting scheme will allow people to fall in love with the place from the street,
33:36but also thrive in Adelaide's famously dry climate.
33:40That's where xeriscaping comes in.
33:43Xeriscaping is the use of water-wise plants and the minimisation of evaporation and water loss.
33:50The reason I've chosen all these is because they're not necessarily flowering, but they
33:54are water savers.
33:57The helichrysynums, these will go great.
33:59They'll grow down over the rock.
34:01Then you've got the beautiful grey-green foliage of the dianella, and you've got the variegation
34:05of this lamandra, which will actually give you some movement in the breeze.
34:11My number one hack to minimise water loss is to make sure you use a generous layer of mulch.
34:17It retains moisture and also breaks down to provide a source of food for your plants.
34:24Not only will this garden be stylish, but it will be sustainable.
34:36A great irony of Lynne's dark house was that there were actually skylights in place, but
34:43they'd been glazed with coloured glass.
34:45That added to the confusion of styles and didn't let much light in.
34:49So we're actually replacing it with a really simple perspex, and we're just putting a film
34:54on it, so it has a frosted effect to it, so you can't really see through the skylight,
34:59but all that natural light can come through.
35:01It's a really cheap option.
35:02It's much cheaper and much faster than getting glass panes cut to put in there.
35:14Time to start planting up the backyard to entice our target family market.
35:19I'm planting a run of drought-tolerant lily pillies, and here's some advice if you're
35:24planting up a whole run like I am.
35:27Plants don't usually grow uniformly, so take a good look at them and work out which is the
35:32front and back.
35:34The reason there is a front and a back is because they're grown in a cluster, and what
35:38happens is the plant actually searches for the sun, and it's going to be the fuller side.
35:42That's the side you want to see.
35:43So look at your plant, and make sure you've got the full side to the front.
36:01I know it's hard to believe, but in this house that looks like absolute chaos, by the end
36:06of today, it's going to be pristine and beautiful.
36:10Look at hours, literally hours left.
36:12It'll be fine.
36:16Amid all the chaos, I haven't lost sight of my plan to bring this home together under one
36:21unified style, to help buyers fall in love with it.
36:26And pulling together the flooring is a major part of that plan.
36:32Although the original flooring in this house was quite beautiful, all the parquetry and
36:37the really orange colours just didn't work with the architecture of this house.
36:42So what I've done is I've gone for a new laminate floating floor just to go straight
36:47over the top.
36:48I've gone for a Mooloola Bar Spotted Gum, and that's a good choice because it's going to
36:52work really well with the spotted gum I've got in the kitchen.
36:55The brown tones will just work with the new colour scheme, everything will just feel calmer
37:00and just like one cohesive space.
37:09My love of turf knows no bounds.
37:14This is my happy place when you arrive.
37:17And for this reno, it's fundamental to making this house family friendly.
37:22I love it.
37:24So I want to give it the best start in life, and a sprinkling of balanced fertiliser before
37:29we lay the turf will do just that.
37:37But there's another hack that will give your turf a flying start.
37:42It's all about butting up each section nice and tight.
37:47When you get your joins, if you just take a little bit of time, make sure they knit in
37:52nicely, instant lawn.
37:54It looks like it hasn't been freshly laid.
37:59Often turf will shrink.
38:00And if you do this, you can avoid ugly gaps in your precious new lawn.
38:11Now, to turn this house into a home.
38:17Oh, that looks so beautiful.
38:29I'm using rugs and carefully selected items of rented furniture to round off the harmonious
38:35and tranquil feel.
38:38And I'm bringing in some really beautiful 70s-inspired products like this amber glass and some green
38:45colours and some matte finishes.
38:47I don't want this home to feel like everything's clashing and clambering for your attention.
38:52I want to walk in and feel instantly calm.
39:03There's been a long, hard slog, but we're getting there.
39:40Hello.
39:42Please tell me you're finished.
39:43No, of course I'm not finished.
39:44Well, perfect.
39:45It's now the perfect time then to sit down.
39:46If I sit down, I'm not going to get up.
39:48Oh, you've just got to.
39:51I feel like I'm outside and not under the cover of...
39:54Darkness?
39:55Darkness, yeah.
39:56When we first walked into this house, it just felt like personality, character everywhere
40:02and none of it matched.
40:04But now, I feel like we've got a house that really celebrates the architecture.
40:10And then you get to the backyard.
40:12It is now an awesome space.
40:16Feels like a whole new house.
40:17It does.
40:18I'm very happy.
40:32Lin's home was a mishmash of deeply personal styles from across the decades and the globe,
40:39with a floor plan that sent buyers running.
40:42So, have Wendy and Dennis managed to make this confused suburban 70s house appeal to the modern
40:49family market?
40:51Oh, there you go.
40:54Look at that.
40:56That's incredible.
40:59Before, Lin's home was hidden behind a jungle of light-sapping vegetation.
41:05But Dennis has opened up the whole of the front, and it's utterly transformative.
41:13Hello, you two.
41:14Hi, Andrew.
41:15You keep on coming back.
41:17I can't stay away, can I?
41:19You're trying to give me retina burn?
41:21Yeah, you might want some sunglasses.
41:22Yeah.
41:24This looks unbelievable.
41:26If I'm a buyer, now I'm seeing a really big house.
41:30It's not hidden in the greenery.
41:32It's true.
41:33What struck me is the trees really stand out.
41:36They're actually more of a feature.
41:38They're not lost in the chaos now.
41:40Completely agree.
41:41And I have to also say, have you been buying extra bits of land?
41:46It does look like it, doesn't it?
41:47This is amazing.
41:49It's like double the house.
41:50Yeah.
41:51Let's have a look inside.
41:52You lead the way.
41:53All right.
41:54Can't wait to see this.
41:57Come on in.
41:58Thank you, Lin.
41:58Oh.
42:02Oh, my goodness.
42:05Wow.
42:07Inside the house is barely recognisable.
42:11The once gingy foyer is now a light, welcoming space.
42:17This is wonderful.
42:19It is exceptional.
42:20Different entrance, isn't it?
42:22Yeah, this is inspired.
42:23I love this.
42:24It gives you a scream, but you can still feel the depth behind it.
42:28The light can come through.
42:29Does it feel like your home?
42:31No.
42:32I'm suspecting that aliens have swapped it.
42:37Those aliens have certainly been busy.
42:41Oh, Lin.
42:43Someone's stolen the wall.
42:45It is.
42:47Wow.
42:48Yeah.
42:49Huge.
42:51The former galley kitchen was narrow, dark, and its layout was far from user-friendly.
42:57But now, any budding master chef won't want to tear themselves away from the light-filled
43:03open-plan oasis.
43:06This has been pushed into that oversized dining area.
43:12Removal of that dog-leg wall, that one action has solved so many negatives.
43:18I never envisaged this is a solution.
43:24Let's meander into your expansive dining space.
43:28I love the fact when there's used a big dining table here, because it is a big, tiny area.
43:34Yes, yes.
43:35And the colour scheme used brings a warmth to the space.
43:40I'm overwhelmed at the transformation.
43:43Oh, it's just, it's beautiful.
43:45Oh.
43:47I've always loved this sort of sunken living area, but that's bathed in light too now.
43:53No longer dungeon-like, Wendy has completely pulled it out of the bag.
43:59The new flooring and a coat of paint has taken this room to another level.
44:04Swapping out the heavy mismatched furniture for brighter options, and binning the heavy
44:09curtains and helmet for less obtrusive blinds, all of a sudden the sunken lounge is now a
44:15room where buyers will want to linger.
44:18This is just beautiful.
44:21And of course, Dennis' work removing the bergola fills the room with sunlight.
44:27The outside is now connected with the inside in a way that it wasn't beforehand.
44:32It's very inviting.
44:35But it's upstairs where some of the most profound changes have taken place.
44:40Is it still an ode to Morocco up here?
44:44Oh, Lynn.
44:46Morocco has definitely moved on.
44:50Previously, a highly personalised recreation of the Casbah.
44:54Wendy stripped out the sentimental knick-knacks, busy fabrics and vertical blinds, and instead
45:01used neutral paint on the brickwork, warm-toned carpets, and simplified styling for the not-to-mid-century,
45:08meaning this room is now fresh, bright and welcoming, just perfect for the family market.
45:15You're very cool about all this.
45:17I know, it was tough, but I've been preparing myself emotionally for this.
45:23And it seems to me that I can take my memories with me.
45:27You can, absolutely.
45:28And this is a house for a new family to make their own memories.
45:34Safe to say the backyard really is the icing on the cake.
45:43Hey, look at this.
45:47You've got garden and light.
45:51Before hard surfaces dominated, and due to the oppressive roof structure, it was hard to
45:58tell if you were outside at all.
46:01But now, sunlight and fresh air is in abundance.
46:05Plus, there's some of the, dare I say it, green stuff.
46:09Dennis really has worked wonders.
46:12Look at all this grass.
46:14And you're going to have to sell the house before you have to mow it.
46:17Good point.
46:18Get it on the market, quick.
46:21Look, the modernisation that's taken place in this section.
46:25Ah, look, what am I doing now?
46:27Walking into the sun.
46:30What do you think, Tom?
46:32I love it, yeah.
46:32I think just having all pavers before, I think, would have turned a lot of people away.
46:36But grass has really softened the whole space.
46:39You can see you can have a trampoline here and still have room for a dog or anything else.
46:43And back to real real estate basics, you can see what you're buying.
46:47I can see the house now.
46:50The budget has gone a long way.
46:54Did it include your top?
46:56I'm sending you the bill.
46:58I'm a living disco ball.
47:01Should we go in and start talking money and all things selling?
47:08The median house price at the moment in Ross Trevor is $1,085,000.
47:13Well, you can be pretty sure that the typical house is probably slightly smaller than this.
47:17If you had your dream, what would the dream price be?
47:20It would be great to get to 1.2, but really anything over 1.1 I'd be happy with.
47:24Lynn?
47:25Yeah, 1.2 would be ideal.
47:28Okay.
47:29Then there's the tarot cards, remember?
47:31Oh, yes.
47:32What did they say?
47:331.3.
47:341.3.
47:341.3.
47:35Yes.
47:35Good old tarot cards.
47:36Who needs evaluation when you've got tarot cards?
47:38Well, I think your 1.1 anticipation is actually extremely realistic.
47:44He is hoping.
47:45I would be really disappointed if you don't get into the 1.1s.
47:48You may even get towards 1.2.
47:51And I think now you've got a garden, you've got street appeal, and the main area is done.
47:57I think it'll go very well.
47:59I'm really excited for you, Lynn.
48:01You do deserve it.
48:02How are you feeling now?
48:03I've delivered that.
48:04Optimistic.
48:05Yeah, I think you should be.
48:07But also comfortable that I'm doing the right thing and that it is time to move on.
48:15Not long ago, Lynn's house was like a riddle wrapped up in her own memories.
48:21Then along comes Wendy and Dennis with their magic and simplify the whole property.
48:27Look, this is still a very quirky house, but I think it's good quirky.
48:34Buyers are going to love it.
48:42Now, Wendy and Dennis have worked their magic.
48:45It's over to Lynn's new agent, Rhys, to get that sale.
48:50What a difference.
48:51It's amazing, doesn't it?
48:53Oh, this is nice.
48:55It's a bit of a modern touch.
49:04The whole space just works so much better.
49:10Oh, my gosh.
49:11What a difference.
49:13It's now bright.
49:14It's not a dark cave anymore, is it?
49:16No, it's not.
49:18This is so good.
49:19Look at how open it is now.
49:21That's some grass.
49:22Makes it a lot better for having a little family.
49:25Yeah.
49:26I'm expecting.
49:27I think it could be worth up to $1.2 million plus.
49:32Could tip over $1.2.
49:34Yeah.
49:34Probably $1.1 to $1.3.
49:40Last time I met Lynn, she was chasing around $1.1 million and dreaming of a retirement villa.
49:47Well, I've heard she's got a new address.
49:50This is looking promising.
49:52That's why I brought this.
49:56Can I come in?
49:58Certainly.
49:59Oh.
50:00Welcome to the new abode.
50:02Amazing.
50:03So is this the villa you wanted?
50:05It's better than what I wanted.
50:07My two four-letter words are flat pack.
50:12Thanks to Selling Houses Australia, I can afford it.
50:15It's going to have a little bit of a chat.
50:17So, what happened with the campaign?
50:20After two open inspections, we had 10 firm offers.
50:2510 offers?
50:26Yeah.
50:26Wow.
50:27So, what did you end up selling for?
50:291.26.
50:321.26.
50:33Yeah, amazing.
50:35Wow, that's awesome.
50:36My commission, I didn't receive anything.
50:38Bad luck.
50:40I've had to buy new furniture, didn't I?
50:43Well, come on, Tom.
50:44Crack that open.
50:45Oh, that beautiful sound.
50:47There we go.
50:49Well, let's have a toast to Lynne's new beginnings.
50:52Congratulations.
50:53The poor estate hasn't got a clue what's going to hit her.
50:56Yes.
50:57Don't tell them.
50:58I won't.
50:58Don't tell them.
50:59You're right.
51:01Come on.
51:07Hey, and we're really gonna have a amg.
51:10We're really going to armpit.
51:11We're ready, and the理由.
51:16Oh, boy, we're really going to make it.
51:19We've got May 20.
51:19So, what do you guys know,
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