- 6 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:12This season, as we celebrate our 200th episode,
00:17the house has literally soiled itself.
00:20You're really very rude.
00:22It takes years of practice, Lynn.
00:23Even the agent has given up.
00:26Look, these homeowners really need our help.
00:29We're a bit lost.
00:32Can we just stop this?
00:34This is pretty exciting.
00:36We will tackle our toughest challenges yet.
00:39It is crazy.
00:41I need more.
00:42You always want more.
00:43And with them...
00:44This is amazing.
00:46...will come our greatest rewards.
00:48Oh, my.
00:51Stunning.
00:52Just incredible.
00:54This is insane.
00:56To see all this kindness and generosity,
00:58we're just really grateful.
01:13Step one up, folks, to the grand illusion that is...
01:17Real estate marketing.
01:20That brochure listing the dream home.
01:24A masterclass in misdirection.
01:28Dazzle with the best.
01:30Downplay the rest.
01:32That old favourite phrase, location, location, location.
01:36Because if the postcode's perfect, peeling paint is palatable.
01:42But what happens when a property is so underwhelming
01:45that even the real estate smoke and mirrors
01:51cannot make a buyer materialise?
01:57I mean, really.
02:00I'm going to need to pull a rabbit out of my hat for this one.
02:09Meet Bob and Robin quite to the trailblazers.
02:12They met online over 20 years ago.
02:15Well, we met on RSVP.com back in 2004.
02:19Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:21For Bob, meeting someone new was particularly important.
02:26I'd not long lost my wife to cancer,
02:31but I was desperately lonely.
02:33I just...
02:33I didn't want to be that grumpy old guy sitting in the room.
02:39So I actively pursued looking for a partner,
02:43and the rest is history, really.
02:44Not ones to rush,
02:46they did date for seven years before living together.
02:50It was a mutual case of try before you buy.
02:53Yeah.
02:56But when they did take the leap,
02:58there was no holding back.
03:00They found a four-bedroom split-level house
03:03on five acres in Noura Hill,
03:05about two and a half hours south of Sydney,
03:08and fell in love with it on site.
03:11I always loved living in a country sort of environment.
03:14And this ticked all those boxes.
03:18With six kids and three grandkids between them,
03:22it's been the backdrop for a decade of wonderful family memories,
03:27including their own wedding.
03:33Batteries!
03:34Power!
03:35Then, an accident turned everything on its head.
03:40Bob was volunteering with the SES.
03:43On one of those jobs,
03:44I had a misadventure where I fell back
03:48and broke the head off from a femur.
03:50So three weeks after that,
03:51I had a total hip replacement.
03:54Suddenly, the home they so loved
03:55became a huge obstacle.
03:58One of my biggest worries after he came home from hospital
04:01was that he would have a fall up and down the stairs.
04:04Add to that their advancing years,
04:07and with heavy hearts,
04:08they've made the tough but inevitable decision
04:11to sell their beloved home.
04:13What we need is a single-level, smaller place
04:18that we can look after in the next 15, 20 years.
04:23They settled on a listing price of $1.5 million,
04:27enough to see them through the years ahead
04:29while still hitting a sweet spot for buyers,
04:32or so they thought.
04:35We thought it would be an easy sell
04:37because we love the place so much.
04:39But after more than a year trying,
04:41they can't understand why no-one wants to buy it.
04:46We don't know what to do.
04:48All they know is they need help.
04:51I'm 74 now, so it's not going to get any easier.
04:57Hang in there, Bob, my friend.
05:00Help is on its way.
05:07There's nothing quite like a road trip in the country.
05:10There.
05:12So lush and green.
05:14No surprise Bob and Robin fell in love with this area.
05:19So, now my real estate brain is wondering
05:22what is it about their place
05:23that's making it so hard to sell?
05:26Oh, this is their driveway now.
05:29OK, so it's a bit bland, blonde brick.
05:33But it's a lovely property.
05:42Ah, Bob and Robin.
05:43Come and join me.
05:44Yes, hello, Andrew.
05:45Nice to meet you.
05:46Nice to meet you too.
05:47Welcome.
05:48Could we work our way up to the top of the drive?
05:50Yeah, sure.
05:50And that way we can sort of show me what we've got.
05:53Yep.
05:54How big's the land?
05:55About five acres.
05:56Right.
05:56And how much of it's usable?
05:58Just what you can, the grass area really.
06:01At the other side of the house.
06:03Right, OK.
06:04And the rest is all bush.
06:05What do you see when you look at this?
06:08Hmm.
06:09I see home.
06:10OK.
06:11Yes.
06:11Yes.
06:12It makes me feel happy.
06:13OK.
06:14All right.
06:14Well, shall we have a little look inside?
06:16Absolutely.
06:16After you two.
06:17OK.
06:20Come on in, Andrew.
06:24Yeah.
06:27I mean, wow.
06:29Daycore-wise, it's like it's never, ever been touched.
06:34Everything is as it was originally.
06:36I mean, look, even your cushions are given up.
06:40It's a bit sad.
06:41It is a bit.
06:42Well, what's also equally as sad is I'm drawn to all that and I'm missing looking at the feature, which
06:49is the view out there.
06:50Yes.
06:51Yeah, yeah.
06:51OK.
06:52Yeah.
06:53But this isn't your only living area, is it?
06:54No.
06:55No, we do have another living area.
06:56So, the kitchen's through here, isn't it?
07:00OK, well, I'm, um...
07:02It's a bit of an improvement on the other end.
07:04Yes.
07:04The architecture suddenly got a little bit more interesting because suddenly I've got volume here.
07:10Mm-hmm.
07:11And that view sort of really encompasses all this space.
07:17This is big.
07:18What a lot of space you've got.
07:21Mm, we have.
07:21And that lovely sunken living space, you really see the view from here.
07:27Mm, you can, yes.
07:29The layout of this house is actually pretty good.
07:32All the living spaces on the ground floor take advantage of those fabulous views.
07:37On the second level, four massive bedrooms and two bathrooms.
07:42It's just...
07:44These floor tiles that I noticed in the first room, they're through the whole ground floor.
07:49Yes, they are.
07:51All right.
07:51Let's carry on having a look around.
07:52Let's go and have a look upstairs before we head out the back.
07:56I love the double height entry.
07:59That's...
08:00It's just, again...
08:02You know what I'm going to say, don't you?
08:03I know.
08:03I know.
08:04It's so original.
08:06I'm trying not to cry.
08:07Okay, it's dated, but I've seen a lot worse.
08:10Look at the views in that bedroom.
08:13Absolutely gorgeous.
08:14Let's have a look at the bathroom.
08:18Someone's stolen your vanity.
08:20Well, we had heard that bathrooms sell houses.
08:23Well...
08:23So we thought we should start doing something.
08:25They do help.
08:27Oh, you're missing touch as well.
08:28Yes.
08:28Clearly you are in the throat of something.
08:29And I love it.
08:29We've got some terracotta tiles going here.
08:31Well, it's consistent.
08:33Yes.
08:33It's consistently dated.
08:35It's a great size, though.
08:37I mean, a missing vanity might be a turn-off with buyers,
08:40but certainly not a deal-breaker.
08:44Oh, the main bedroom.
08:45Yes.
08:45Oh, big.
08:46Lovely size.
08:48Yes.
08:49And the view.
08:51Mm.
08:51Yeah.
08:52What is it I'm not seeing here?
08:54So, presumably that's the walk-in road there.
08:57Correct.
08:57And an ensuite.
08:59So, don't tell me this is original.
09:00I can't even open it.
09:02How do we do that?
09:03There we go.
09:09It's not original.
09:10It's not original.
09:11It's gone.
09:12It's gone.
09:12Oh, my God.
09:14The bathroom's gone.
09:15Yes.
09:16Well, I can't make any negative comments about the decor in here.
09:20No.
09:20Because it doesn't have any decor.
09:22Correct.
09:23Well, there we go.
09:23What a win that is.
09:25Oh, yes.
09:25Let's go have a look outside.
09:27Oh, dear.
09:27It'll probably be cleaner.
09:35Thank you, sir.
09:36After you two.
09:39So, we've got more steps, Andrew.
09:41Yes.
09:41Of course more steps.
09:43Yes.
09:44Just a few.
09:45I mean, look, this pool area is a, oh, this is a fantastic asset.
09:51It is.
09:52For the whole home.
09:52Yes.
09:53I mean, it's big.
09:55Young families would love this.
09:57Yes.
09:58Actually, the house looks better from the back than it does from the front.
10:01That's for sure.
10:02Yeah, we think that.
10:03We can never decide which is the front and which is the back.
10:05Oh, no.
10:05Unfortunately, the ugly bit's the front.
10:07Oh, right.
10:10All right.
10:11The next job for me is to do a little bit more research on your market.
10:15Oh, yes.
10:15Speak to your agent.
10:16Should we go up all these stairs now?
10:18Yes.
10:18We should do.
10:19Got enough of them.
10:20I don't know.
10:21I'll meet you up there.
10:22Despite the bad decor and lack of bathrooms, I'm honestly baffled why this property isn't selling.
10:29I've seen some dire houses in my time and this definitely isn't one of them.
10:35Either way, it's clear Bob can't manage all those stairs and maintenance for much longer.
10:40They need a buyer ASAP.
10:42They just need to get on with their retirement and start to relax.
10:51Nowra Hill is truly spectacular.
10:54Wedged between some amazing national parks and the South Coast's stunning beaches.
11:01It's just a five-minute drive to the town of Nowra and everything you could possibly need.
11:07But up that hill, that's where the magic is.
11:11I can easily see why Bob and Robin snapped up their property right away.
11:17But why is it not selling now?
11:20It's a puzzle I'm hoping their agent, Bianca, can help me solve.
11:26Lovely spot this is, isn't it?
11:30So, what are the areas that you're concerned with most?
11:33Because from my perspective, the layout works really well.
11:37The bedrooms are all well-sized.
11:38The living areas and the kitchen, all that works really, really well.
11:42Yeah.
11:43And that view.
11:44A lot of my feedback was that it was just dated.
11:47And it's been there for over 28 years.
11:50Like, the carpet is original from those first people.
11:52Is that original?
11:53Oh, my God.
11:54Okay.
11:54And I think people look at flooring and they look at the terracotta tile and they think dollars.
12:00They think, I'm going to have to replace that because I want something modern, a floating floor.
12:04How much does that cost?
12:04I want to do new carpet upstairs in all the bedrooms.
12:07How much does that cost?
12:08So, it's not even, they might like the house, but they're just, they're just thinking, I don't want to take
12:13on this project.
12:14Yeah.
12:14Or at 1.5 minus everything I have to spend to make it work for my family, they're not seeing
12:19the value.
12:20So, if I said to you, you've got to get it sold this way, right?
12:24Do it down.
12:24Yeah.
12:25As it is, no changes.
12:26Where does the true value sit right now?
12:29We would encourage them to put it on for something competitive like 1.299.
12:33So, they are chasing quite a high figure if they're chasing 1.5.
12:36Yes.
12:36All right.
12:36I just wanted to clarify that.
12:38All right.
12:39Come on.
12:39Let's get out of this wind.
12:40Yes, definitely.
12:41It's a beautiful spot, though.
12:42Yes.
12:43Right.
12:44So, it's all adding up.
12:46Bob and Robin's property is just too massive for people to wrap their heads around.
12:52And that makes modernizing it an unknown quantity.
12:55Scary for any buyer.
12:57But let's not forget the illusion that is real estate marketing.
13:02The trick isn't doing everything.
13:04It's knowing what to do to make a buyer and their money magically appear.
13:10On that note, there's a local property that recently sold.
13:13And I thought it might be worth taking a peek with Bob and Robin.
13:17So, this is a house we're having a look at.
13:20Still in Narrah Hill, of course.
13:21Sitting on about three acres.
13:24Okay.
13:24It's a little bit less than yours, but all clear and usable.
13:29Single level home.
13:31Yeah.
13:31Initial thoughts.
13:33Looks very pleasant.
13:34Yeah.
13:35Neat and tidy.
13:36Off to you.
13:38The first part of any magic trick is the hook.
13:41The moment that draws you in.
13:43And this inviting entrance does exactly that.
13:47Why don't you have a good old snoop around the house?
13:50Then I'll meet you up by the pool afterwards.
13:52Lovely.
13:52Enjoy.
13:53This property has a lot in common with Bob and Robin's.
13:57Nice fireplace.
13:59Two living areas.
14:00Large open kitchen.
14:02Four bedrooms.
14:03Two bathrooms.
14:05Nearly all of which are actually smaller than Bob and Robin's.
14:09But the real trick here?
14:11The previous owners focused on some very select cosmetic updates.
14:16In magic, that's the art of distraction.
14:19Draw the viewer's eye to what you want them to see.
14:22Oh, this is a nice outdoor area, isn't it?
14:24Yes, it is.
14:25And everything else fades into the background.
14:29Smoke and mirrors.
14:31Oh, there he is.
14:32There he is.
14:34Pool over there.
14:35Yep.
14:35Oh, yes.
14:36A little area there.
14:37What are your thoughts?
14:39Lovely.
14:39It is nice.
14:40Any ideas on what you think it sold for?
14:43Maybe 1.4?
14:44Okay.
14:45Around 1.6.
14:46It actually sold for 1.495.
14:50Oh, okay.
14:51Okay.
14:52Now, how is that making you feel about yours?
14:54As it is, probably ours is a little bit less because it's not finished.
14:59Probably.
14:59See, I think the single level and the usable land is a value add.
15:03Yes.
15:04Right.
15:04You have a better view.
15:05Right.
15:06And you have much bigger rooms.
15:07It gives us confidence.
15:09Yeah, it does a bit, I think.
15:10Yeah.
15:11Yeah, come on.
15:12For many, this would be a classic DIY project, but sadly not for Bob and Robin.
15:19Luckily, Wendy and Dennis are on their way to weave their own special magic.
15:34I'm in Nowra Hill, New South Wales, where Bob and Robin have been trying to sell their
15:39beloved acreage for over a year.
15:42It's becoming a desperate situation for Bob, who at 74 is struggling with the amount of
15:47stairs and maintenance.
15:50But it's so big and outdated, buyers just can't see past the work and the cost.
15:57Never fear, Wendy and Dennis should be here any moment to save the day.
16:04I just hope they haven't gotten lost.
16:09Hey, Wendy, mom.
16:10Yeah.
16:11This car's very quiet.
16:13It is.
16:14It's electric.
16:15It's an EV.
16:16EV 9, to be precise.
16:19It's very cool.
16:21And look, look at my savings.
16:22Digital mirrors.
16:23Cameras, I love it.
16:25Stop, stop, stop, stop.
16:26What is going on?
16:33Donuts!
16:34You know what they say, it's not a road trip without donuts.
16:38I have never heard that said, ever.
16:41It's a bit cold.
16:42That's another thing I love about the EV 9, the Kia connector.
16:46I just adjust the settings and now the car's going to be nice and toasty warm when we get
16:51back in.
16:55It'll keep my donuts toasty.
16:56I am sure that's exactly what Kia had in mind when they designed.
17:00Right.
17:03You really are just a big kid, aren't you?
17:06Oh, my goodness.
17:11I can't believe they're keeping me waiting.
17:13Me!
17:18I think of a dirt road.
17:20It's a little bit inconvenient.
17:21Yeah, I'm not actually sure we're in the right place.
17:24I assume...
17:25Is it the right house?
17:27Wow.
17:28It's not small, then.
17:29No, it's not.
17:31Oh, here he is.
17:32We are in the right place.
17:34Hello.
17:35Welcome to Narrah Hill, you two.
17:38Oh.
17:40I love this bit.
17:41You know, Wendy, as we were driving up, she just went, huh.
17:46I was looking at Andrew, actually.
17:47Oh, yeah.
17:49Oh, that's...
17:50Anyway, Narrah Hill.
17:52Here we are at the home of Bob and Robin, and they are lovely.
17:56It's a big house.
17:57You like to give us nice big houses, don't you?
17:59Yeah.
18:00Before you go in, you might want to consider addressing a couple of the bathrooms.
18:06How?
18:06A couple.
18:07Anyway, why don't you go and have a look inside?
18:10Yeah.
18:11This is a big go off on your own.
18:12And you're just going to have to think about everything that's nothing but elbow grease,
18:16Dennis, because all the money...
18:17Imagine two bathrooms.
18:19Excuse me, Dennis, is she making rude signs at me?
18:21No, surely she wouldn't.
18:22She couldn't be.
18:23She couldn't be.
18:29Oh, no.
18:35Oh, my goodness.
18:42Oh, Andrew.
19:09Hello, Wendy.
19:11Hello.
19:12I mean...
19:14This was big 20 years ago.
19:17Yeah, but I think because I'm so shell-shocked from upstairs...
19:21Yes.
19:22Okay.
19:23Let me explain what's been going on here.
19:27Bob and Robin obviously have been trying to sell the home, so they took the bull by the
19:30horns, started to rip out the bathrooms, and then went...
19:35What are we putting in them?
19:36It's always better to consider that before you demolish what you have.
19:40I know.
19:41Yes.
19:41I think they realise that now.
19:43That now.
19:44Yes.
19:44Okay.
19:45It is actually a really good family-sized house.
19:48The proportions and the allocation of the space is really good, but it's really dated.
19:54I mean, this terracotta floor is quite hard.
19:56It's very unwelcoming.
19:58Just from a styling point of view, you know, having just timber on top of tiles, there's
20:03no real warmth in here.
20:04And you need that in a family home.
20:07Right.
20:07Have you seen in here?
20:08I haven't.
20:09This is probably my least favourite space of the whole house.
20:13Really?
20:13Hmm.
20:14I do think the view and the position of this room is actually lovely.
20:19And the things that are dragging it down are easy fix.
20:22It's style.
20:23Sorry, did you say easy fix?
20:25Okay.
20:26Compared to the other rooms in the house.
20:27You carry on.
20:28I'm going to go and find Dennis, because I'll tell him all it's an easy fix.
20:31My cue to leave.
20:32I can't believe I walked into that.
20:35Big old space, Dennis.
20:36It is a big old space.
20:37You know what, but it's actually a lovely space.
20:39Yeah.
20:40It's tired.
20:41It's dented.
20:42It needs a clean.
20:43Like, there's a few things that I don't know what's going on with that structure.
20:46It almost looks like a UFO.
20:48It's like about to fly off or something.
20:50Yeah.
20:51And the big columns, they sort of narrow up the space.
20:54And the plantings, oh my God.
20:57I mean, you see the ridgeline out there in the back.
20:59Like, that is spectacular.
21:01So, I mean, it will actually potentially look really nice.
21:04It looks absolutely fine out here.
21:07Straight in there, Dennis.
21:08How did I know you would say that?
21:10Yeah, because you haven't seen what I've seen.
21:12All right, Dennis.
21:13Problem one, the size of the place is huge.
21:16I'm going to have to try and touch it from the front all the way to the back.
21:19So, I'm going to have to be really considerate about which parts I touch to make sure that I'm going
21:26to give a lasting impact.
21:27It's not that I don't agree.
21:28It's just you need to understand.
21:31Andrew really understated.
21:33Did understate.
21:34The problem with the bathrooms.
21:35Like, literally, it's rubble.
21:38The whole house is really, really dated.
21:41My task is about making it possible for them to live here.
21:45Then you can come in and put that want layer on top.
21:49Are you for real?
21:51But also, with Bob and Robin, look, they know things need to be done.
21:55The budget's probably likely to be huge.
21:57We'll go and find out now.
21:58He hasn't seen the show.
22:02Well, our magicians are ready to put on a show, but can Bob and Robin afford the entry fee?
22:11Look at this.
22:12And here we are.
22:12What a lovely spot.
22:13I'll start with a few introductions.
22:15Would you like to meet the lovely Robin and Bob, who are our homeowners?
22:18Hello.
22:18Hello, Wendy.
22:19Hello, Dennis.
22:20And Bianca, their smiling agent.
22:21Hello.
22:21How are you?
22:22Wendy and Dennis have inspected the home.
22:24Dennis, perhaps you'd like to share your thoughts?
22:26Well, my thoughts start right from the moment you enter the place.
22:29Like, it's so big.
22:30And then we get down towards the back of the house, which should be so celebrated.
22:35It's an amazing space.
22:36It's huge, but it just feels a bit drab.
22:39So it's going to take a bit of oomph to actually bring it.
22:45Elbow grease.
22:45We've wanted to do things, but we don't know what to do.
22:48Like, I'm not a...
22:48Well, talk about that.
22:49I'm not a stylist.
22:50Because you've started the bathrooms here.
22:52I'm going to hand over to Wendy now.
22:54You kind of left yourself with no option.
22:56Yeah.
22:57Look, obviously, the bathrooms, both of them, are a big issue.
23:03And bathrooms are, per metre, the most expensive room in a house to renovate.
23:07Right.
23:08For new buyers, scary.
23:10They walk in and think, well, that's a lot of money that I have to spend.
23:13Yeah, yeah.
23:13So, obviously, we have to address that.
23:16The en suite that's now a non-suite.
23:18A non-suite.
23:19Yes.
23:19I should have thought of that.
23:20I should have had that line too.
23:22Non-suite, that's good.
23:23The next thing that I want to tackle is flooring and just the dated style.
23:29All of the rooms are actually a really good size and layout.
23:32They're just dated.
23:33Yeah.
23:34And that is actually a relatively easy and inexpensive fix.
23:37Luckily, because I'm using all the rest of the money for the bathrooms.
23:40Yes.
23:41I think we've heard your opinions now.
23:44Yes.
23:44I think perhaps we're ready for the Australian buying public to have a little bit of a review.
23:49That's all right.
23:50No.
23:50Are you ready?
23:51Are you ready for this?
23:52No.
23:53Let me just get my tissue.
23:55All right.
23:55Here we go.
23:56It's a bit hard to reach.
23:58Yeah, the cobwebs over in the windows.
24:00The carpet's really old.
24:02It's definitely still in the 80s.
24:05The pink tiles in the bathroom, it looked very old.
24:09Oh, who's the main?
24:10Oh, and it is an en suite.
24:12Oh.
24:15Absolutely.
24:16There was nothing worse in the whole house.
24:18Definitely getting rid of that dark painted wall.
24:21I noticed there was about four different paint colours.
24:24There was a lot going on.
24:25Yeah, I don't like the flooring.
24:27It's a bit dated.
24:30The tiles.
24:31The disgusting tiles.
24:35Sort of looking at the structure and it's a bit out there.
24:38The plants in the pool area are sad.
24:40They need some love.
24:41They do.
24:42Stairs, that one of these is a true hazard.
24:44Definitely needs an update.
24:46I think we'd be doing a lot of work.
24:48It's not giving a million dollars, that's for sure.
24:50This would be around the 1.2 mark at the moment.
24:52Maybe about 1.2.
24:55Maybe about 1.3.
24:58Yeah, it's not warm at inviting them.
25:00It's not high in the way.
25:02It's a bit scary.
25:03It's scary, yeah.
25:04Price-wise, it was sort of hitting one-twos and one-threes.
25:06What are we after?
25:07Do you want to share your target figure was?
25:101.5.
25:12Yeah.
25:12I think in its defence, as a house,
25:15the layout is absolutely brilliant.
25:18Needs no changing whatsoever.
25:20Which is great.
25:20Even tennis externally.
25:22You know, the pool area, it's all great.
25:25It just needs bringing into this decade.
25:28So you clearly need our help.
25:30We were talking about how much money you guys would like for a budget,
25:33and we were in the millions, weren't we?
25:35Yes.
25:36But that might be over-capitalising.
25:38We have got 90,000.
25:4190,000.
25:42Okay.
25:43With that kind of budget,
25:44I want to do a great showstopper en suite that feels luxurious.
25:49I want to do as much as I can to update and improve the main bathroom.
25:56I would like to address the flooring.
25:59I would like to do some colour and decorating.
26:01I think that'll make a huge difference.
26:03I'll just have to have a minuscule budget and, you know,
26:05we work really hard and slave away.
26:07Wah, wah.
26:09Drink your red wine and stop moaning.
26:11Cheers, everybody.
26:12Cheers.
26:13Cheers.
26:13Thank you, everyone.
26:14We appreciate your help.
26:15Cheers.
26:16Cheers.
26:16I'll work very hard on this one, as I always do.
26:34We're at Bob and Robin's place in Narrah Hill, New South Wales.
26:37It's a great house on a great block in an awesome location.
26:42But all people are seeing is its size and condition.
26:45And that means hard work and money.
26:48So Wendy and I have got to create some magic.
26:51We've got 90 grand between us, which sounds like a decent chunk.
26:55But on a place like this, it doesn't go far.
26:58But with a bit of sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors,
27:02I reckon we can pull it off.
27:09One of the big problems of this place is the size.
27:13And I have to really be smart with my budget.
27:15I have to make it stretch all the way from here
27:17down to the back.
27:19So starting here, I'm going to have a farm-style wing
27:21on either side of my driveway,
27:23which will frame this house and make it feel so much grander.
27:27Then onwards.
27:29Down to.
27:32These garden beds are all going to be ripped out, refreshed.
27:35It's going to feel so much more modern and friendly.
27:41And what I think is the biggest asset of this house is this pool area.
27:48This area has the potential to sell the whole place,
27:51but not when you've got a monstrosity that looks more like an ugly public shelter
27:55than a poolside pergola.
27:59So that's definitely going,
28:01and I'm replacing it with a new light, louvered look.
28:04Perfect for summer entertaining.
28:06I'm removing the dense foliage from the existing garden beds
28:09and putting in softer plants with room to breathe.
28:13And with a bit of oil and elbow grease,
28:15I'm bringing that old deck back to life.
28:19Not only am I trimming this palm,
28:21but I'm actually providing Wendy
28:23with something that she can fan me with later on.
28:26It's fine.
28:28I just need to find some grapes.
28:33When you've got a huge, outdated house and not much budget,
28:37the challenge is knowing where to spend
28:39to actually get the result you're after.
28:41In this case, a sale.
28:44Right now, everywhere you look,
28:46there's a negative smacking you in the face.
28:48But that's about to change.
28:52This is a beautiful country property with stunning views,
28:56and the house needs to start living up to them.
28:58I'm going to get rid of everything that screams 80s,
29:03bring in some country charm,
29:05and, of course, I need to tackle those bathrooms.
29:11I can't afford to do both,
29:13so the family one that hasn't been completely gutted
29:16will get a freshen up.
29:19But what was an empty shell off the master bedroom,
29:23that's getting a total transformation.
29:29This big, blank canvas of a space
29:32was actually the Master En-Suite,
29:35and I need to make it feel worthy of the name.
29:41To save money, I've kept all the plumbing
29:44pretty much where it was originally,
29:46before the demolition started.
29:47And really, it's all about getting some luxury,
29:51because these days,
29:53the Master En-Suite is actually the biggest
29:56and most luxurious bathroom of the house.
30:00With a spa-like space to indulge,
30:02I'm making the most of it with a double vanity,
30:05set against a feature wall,
30:07a toilet, a shower,
30:09and a beautiful freestanding bath,
30:11centred under the feature window.
30:14This is the room
30:15that the new owners need to follow him up with.
30:21That's hard work.
30:23The big problem I find with late 80s and 90s gardens
30:26is they're a bit of a mishmash.
30:28It's like someone's grabbed a plant,
30:30seen an empty spot,
30:32and gone,
30:32yeah, that'll do.
30:34Thing is,
30:35plants grow,
30:36trees grow,
30:37and before long,
30:38they're tangled,
30:39overcrowded,
30:39and worst of all,
30:41blocking what should be beautiful views.
30:44So, Dr Dennis has a bit of transplanting to do.
30:49Once I get the yucca and the dracaena out,
30:52it will have a bit more space
30:53to be allowed to sort of flourish.
30:57A yucca called yucca because you think they're yuck?
31:00Look, they were great in their day,
31:02in the 80s.
31:03They were the end plant.
31:05That was like me.
31:06I was great in the 80s too.
31:11The good news about yuccas is they've got fibrous roots.
31:15So, even though they're heavy,
31:16you can dig it up yourself
31:18without the expense of an excavator.
31:29I've just got to get that to the skip up there.
31:33Wendy!
31:34Wendy!
31:37The old terracotta tiles have finally gone to God.
31:41Before the new floors go in,
31:43I'm turning my attention to the living area
31:45off the front entrance.
31:46It's the first thing by a C,
31:49so I need it to make an impact
31:51for all the right reasons,
31:52not the wrong ones.
31:55This room is actually full of potential.
31:58It's a really good size
32:00and the outlook is absolutely stunning.
32:03But the room itself,
32:04it's a bit boring, to be honest.
32:06I need to work with what I've got
32:07and what I do have
32:09is a really lovely dado rail.
32:12A dado rail is a simple,
32:14budget-friendly way
32:15to bring that country charm.
32:16If you don't have one,
32:18your local hardware store's got you covered.
32:23Same with the VJ board I'm adding underneath.
32:26It's an affordable way
32:27to bring character to a space
32:29without overpowering.
32:30It's not going to detract
32:32from that stunning view.
32:36What's more,
32:37it's going to give buyers
32:39that warm welcome we're after.
32:59The thing with the pool area
33:01and hard surfaces like this
33:02is they never look as good
33:04as when they're first laid.
33:05But what you can do
33:07is hire a gurney
33:08and pressure wash.
33:09Not only will it enhance
33:11the feature of the stone,
33:12but it'll make it feel
33:13so much cleaner and fresh.
33:15I am going to gurney
33:16this timber down as well
33:17and I'm going to give it
33:18a fresh coat of stain
33:19which will enhance the timber
33:21and re-nourish it.
33:23Plus, it's seriously satisfying.
33:30Hello.
33:31You've got the good job.
33:32You betcha.
33:33What do you think, Bob?
33:34Looks better?
33:35Fabulous, yes.
33:36It does look fabulous.
33:37I don't think
33:39that you would have
33:41gurneyed those
33:41in the 10 years
33:42you've been here.
33:43I did gurney
33:43the front of the garage once.
33:46Well,
33:47the little things like this
33:48when you're trying
33:48to sell your house,
33:49like honestly,
33:50make a huge difference
33:51for the buyer
33:52when they come in.
33:52Yeah, yeah.
33:53And I know the house
33:54obviously comes with
33:55some memories still.
33:56Yeah, yeah.
33:58But, like...
33:58Yeah, time to move on,
34:00you know.
34:00New adventures.
34:01We want to move
34:02to our next stage in life
34:03and, you know,
34:04enjoy the rest of it.
34:04You've still got some
34:05life left in here.
34:06Let's go.
34:07Get amongst it, mate.
34:09Don't let me stop you.
34:10Whoop!
34:18When you've got a large home,
34:20it's actually a luxury
34:21of living spaces
34:22to play with.
34:23But you do have
34:24sometimes overwhelming choice.
34:26The key is
34:27that every room
34:28has to have a purpose.
34:29What I wanted to do
34:31is in this area
34:32is create
34:33a really nice
34:34winter snow.
34:35This room's going
34:36to encapsulate
34:37that country charm
34:39I'm after.
34:40Imagine the fireplace,
34:42the views,
34:43curling up
34:44with a nice glass of red
34:45on a winter's afternoon.
34:47I'm putting in
34:48soft curtains
34:48around the bay window
34:50and laying warm,
34:51plush carpet
34:52straight over the old tiles.
34:53A great way
34:54to save money
34:55without having
34:56to rip them up.
34:57But it does pose
34:58a problem
34:59and that is
34:59this fire surround
35:01because it's beautiful
35:02being glass
35:03but it means
35:04that I can see
35:04straight through
35:05to these old
35:06dated terracotta tiles
35:07underneath.
35:08The solution
35:09is going to be
35:11a fire resistant paint.
35:13So I'm just getting
35:13a really simple
35:14black paint
35:15and then I'm literally
35:16just going to paint
35:17straight over the glass.
35:19One or two coats
35:20maximum
35:20and this will be
35:21a really lovely
35:22centrepiece
35:23for what is going
35:24to be a beautiful
35:25winter snug.
35:28Upstairs in the
35:29family bathroom
35:30simple new floor tiles
35:31are being laid over
35:32the existing ones
35:33which is saving
35:34a lot of money
35:35and then
35:36it's a budget
35:37friendly facelift.
35:41It's going to be
35:42about spraying
35:43all of these
35:44dated tiles
35:45just a crisp
35:46white.
35:47A new vanity
35:48a new shave cabinet
35:49a new toilet
35:50and everything else
35:52is pretty much
35:53as it is
35:53and the trick
35:54is
35:55when you're going
35:56to re-spray
35:56your bathroom
35:57not only the surround
35:59but we're also
36:00going to re-spray
36:01the bath
36:01and the reason
36:02why we do that
36:03is even though
36:03that bath looks
36:04quite clean
36:05and white right now
36:06once we've got
36:07a new coat
36:08of crisp white
36:09that will look
36:10aged and a bit
36:11yellowed
36:11so get it all
36:12done at once
36:13and you'll save
36:13yourself time
36:14and money.
36:15Speaking of money
36:16the master en suite
36:18is where most
36:19of mine's going
36:20and it's coming
36:21together beautifully
36:22all those bespoke
36:24tiles and fittings
36:25are giving this
36:26country home
36:27the luxury finish
36:28it deserves.
36:30Bathroom looks good?
36:32Yeah it's coming
36:32long
36:34but um
36:35the original doors
36:36on here
36:37were concertina doors
36:38they're not pretty
36:40and they're really
36:41impractical
36:42I actually hate
36:43concertina doors
36:44What about you do
36:45the old school
36:45saloon door?
36:47You can't get
36:48the country
36:49out of the void
36:51I will give him
36:52some credit
36:53at least he's
36:54on thing
36:54sort of
36:55I'm tossing
36:56the concertinas
36:57and installing
36:58barn doors
36:59they're perfect
37:00for the country
37:01vibe I'm after
37:02plus they don't
37:03swing into the
37:04bathroom
37:05which gives me
37:05the extra room
37:06I need for the
37:07shower and double
37:08vanity
37:09Your work here
37:10is done
37:12Yes
37:12done my mate
37:15This entire
37:16back garden
37:16has brought
37:17new life
37:18to Bob and
37:18Robyn's property
37:19and the pool
37:20area
37:20well
37:22that's my
37:22centerpiece
37:25The old
37:25structure that
37:26was here
37:26it really did
37:27not suit
37:28this space
37:28it actually
37:29felt like
37:30it was
37:30misbuilt
37:30and it was
37:31pieces of
37:32everything
37:32joined together
37:33now we have
37:35a modern
37:35and fresh
37:36pergola
37:36which is
37:37exactly what
37:37this pool
37:38area needed
37:38what they're
37:40doing now
37:40is installing
37:41automated louvers
37:42which open and
37:43close depending
37:44on the weather
37:44so you can be
37:46poolside
37:47rain
37:47hail
37:48or shine
37:53now all the
37:54really messy
37:55work's
37:55pretty much
37:55done
37:56it's finally
37:57time
37:57to put down
37:58the flooring
38:00so there was
38:01a time
38:01when the
38:02terracotta tiles
38:03in this room
38:04were all
38:04rage
38:05which is
38:06a long
38:07time ago
38:07and even
38:08though terracotta
38:09as a colour
38:10and even
38:10in some
38:11circumstances
38:12tiles are coming
38:13back
38:13the tiles
38:14that were here
38:15are not part
38:16of that resurgence
38:17so I wanted
38:18to give it
38:19a completely
38:19new look
38:20so I've
38:21gone with
38:22the flooring
38:22extra luxury
38:23vinyl plank
38:24collection
38:24and I've done
38:25that for a few
38:26reasons
38:27there are so
38:28many colours
38:29I've chosen
38:30spotted gum
38:31because it blends
38:32beautifully with
38:33the timbers
38:33already in the
38:34house
38:35vinyl is also
38:36super hard
38:37wearing
38:38so if you've
38:39got a family
38:39of kids
38:40running around
38:40you want
38:41something that
38:42will stand up
38:42too heavy
38:43traffic
38:44it's also
38:45nice and warm
38:46underfoot
38:47unlike cold
38:48tiles
38:50and the best
38:51part is that
38:52not only does it
38:52come in lots of
38:53different colours
38:54but it's super
38:54easy to install
39:00this job's a great
39:01example of what
39:02you can do
39:03without a major
39:04reno
39:05the place looks
39:06totally different
39:07and the best part
39:08is if you've
39:09got the time
39:10most of what
39:11we've done here
39:12you can tackle
39:13yourself
39:14but I'm not
39:15quite done yet
39:16remember that
39:17driveway entry
39:18I mentioned
39:18earlier
39:21and there you
39:22have it
39:22my three rail
39:23acreage fence
39:24not only does it
39:25give you a grander
39:26sense of entry
39:27but it takes your
39:28focus away
39:28the negative
39:29of the driveway
39:30and as you drive
39:32in it helps
39:33take your eye line
39:34all the way
39:36to that beautiful
39:37ridge line at the
39:38back
39:39this transformation
39:41wasn't about
39:41spending big
39:42it was about
39:43getting rid of
39:44the 80s money
39:45pit and bringing
39:46in a breath
39:47of country air
39:51a fresh colour
39:52palette
39:53beautiful new
39:54flooring
39:54and softer
39:55lighting have
39:56helped bring
39:57that warm
39:57welcoming feeling
39:59buyers connect
39:59with
40:01the master
40:02en suite
40:03now adds
40:04that real
40:04sense of
40:05luxury
40:05and the
40:06updated
40:07family
40:07bathroom
40:07is clean
40:08fresh
40:09and ready
40:09to go
40:11and with
40:12some simple
40:12contemporary
40:13styling
40:13to finish
40:14it off
40:14presto
40:15just enough
40:17magic
40:17to make
40:18buyers
40:18fall in
40:19love
40:26hello
40:27oh
40:28just in time
40:29just in time
40:30for what
40:31help me
40:31with the rug
40:32oh my goodness
40:35tired
40:36are you tired
40:37yeah it's a big
40:37property
40:38it's been a big
40:39job
40:39ah yeah it has
40:40I do feel like
40:42the changes we've
40:43made
40:44inside and out
40:46yeah
40:46have turned this
40:47into a
40:47like a real
40:48family home
40:49absolutely
41:02I'm heading back
41:03to Bob and
41:04Robbins in
41:05Nowra Hill
41:05New South Wales
41:06to see if
41:07Wendy and
41:08Dennis have
41:08been able to
41:09weave their
41:09magic enough
41:11to make those
41:12buyers materialize
41:18ah Dennis has
41:19put a nice
41:20defined entry
41:21point
41:21that's better
41:22oh and you
41:23can see the
41:24view
41:24that's awesome
41:33hello you
41:35too
41:35good morning
41:36Andrew
41:37welcome back
41:37thank you
41:39defined entry
41:40point
41:43yes
41:44yes
41:44yes
41:46okay
41:46shall we have
41:47a look inside
41:48it may be the
41:49same house
41:49but I'm betting
41:50Wendy's pulled the
41:51odd trick or two
41:52from her sleeve
41:54thank you
41:55come on in
41:57very smart
41:58oh wow
42:00yeah
42:06all the lovely
42:08colours
42:08the beautiful
42:09floor
42:10how that
42:11kind of almost
42:12looks like it's
42:13always been here
42:14no more
42:15terra-coloured tiles
42:16the flooring was
42:17an instant deal
42:18breaker for so
42:19many
42:20even if that's
42:21all Wendy's
42:22done
42:22which I know
42:23it's not
42:23it's a massive
42:24step in the
42:25right direction
42:29Wendy interestingly
42:30enough has
42:30carpeted this
42:31bit
42:32it's not a main
42:33thoroughfare
42:33so it's perfect
42:34this carpet
42:34especially by the
42:35fire
42:35it's the cosy
42:36part of the
42:36house
42:37all the lovely
42:37shears
42:38are looking
42:39amazing
42:39I love it
42:43so let's have
42:45a look at
42:45the kitchen
42:47the warmth
42:48Wendy has
42:49injected into
42:50these downstairs
42:50living spaces
42:51is remarkable
42:53this floor colour
42:54has been critical
42:55in sort of tying
42:56it all together
42:57it has
42:57but has she
42:59managed to
42:59manifest something
43:01from nothing
43:01in my least
43:02favourite room
43:03of the house
43:06abracadabra
43:08I can't tell you
43:09how different
43:10it looks
43:11that looks great
43:12doesn't it
43:12love the wall
43:13lights
43:14so Wenda's
43:15painted out
43:16the dado
43:16realm
43:16and the VJ's
43:18new
43:18it still maintains
43:20that little bit
43:21of country feel
43:21and you've got to
43:23keep hold of that
43:23country feel
43:24because this isn't
43:24about making it
43:25some urban
43:26chic modern home
43:27that's not what
43:27a buyer's wanting
43:28in this house
43:29it's a really
43:30lovely room
43:31it is a lovely room
43:32I think we should
43:33go upstairs next
43:34that's where
43:35big ticket items
43:36were going on
43:37wasn't it
43:37yes
43:37right
43:39oh look
43:40again the flooring
43:41has such a
43:42positive impact
43:43yes doesn't it
43:44oh look
43:46Nana's left
43:47the building
43:49look at those
43:50lovely rooms
43:51they're beautiful
43:52no surprise
43:53Wendy's worked
43:54her Midas touch
43:55upstairs as well
43:56this all looks
43:58so much fresher
43:59doesn't it
43:59with the paint
44:00yes
44:00but let's face it
44:02I'm here for
44:03the battle zones
44:04starting with
44:05the family bathroom
44:06now
44:08wow
44:08I know
44:09look at this
44:12wow
44:13it looks
44:14absolutely
44:15beautiful
44:16doesn't it
44:16you partially
44:17started this
44:19yes
44:19but the tiles
44:21wall tiles
44:21bath
44:22that's all
44:22respray
44:23and then we've
44:23got a lovely
44:24new floor
44:24and now
44:25not old fashioned
44:26the little nib wall
44:27there
44:27hiding the toilet
44:28I love that
44:29little detail
44:29just gives this
44:30bathroom a little
44:31bit of an edge
44:31yes
44:32well she certainly
44:34delivered on that
44:36oh Robin
44:37look at your
44:37grand master suite
44:39I know
44:39it's a lovely
44:41lovely room
44:41and with the view
44:42too
44:42yes
44:44but
44:45have to see the
44:46bathroom
44:46yes
44:47through the bathroom
44:48here we go
44:48how did she go
44:50with the
44:50mere shell
44:51that was
44:52the en suite
44:54oh
44:55that's so
44:56disappointing
44:57oh
44:57Andrew
45:00wow
45:00gosh it's beautiful
45:02isn't it
45:03isn't it beautiful
45:03I love these tiles
45:04oh they're beautiful
45:05aren't they
45:06pleased
45:06yeah very pleased
45:07very pleased
45:08should we go
45:09and see Dennis'
45:09workout time
45:10yes
45:10we should
45:11yes
45:11it's lovely
45:18what a massive
45:19tidy up this area
45:20I know
45:21it looks beautiful
45:21doesn't it
45:22the new planting
45:23yes
45:23that's knock out
45:24so it's been
45:25pressure washed
45:26all the surfaces
45:27yes
45:27and he's repainted
45:28the deck
45:28oh the deck's
45:29all done
45:30yes
45:30yeah the deck
45:31looks very smart
45:32now that tree
45:34there it's not
45:35new is it
45:36no
45:36it looks like
45:37he's spent a
45:38fortune on that
45:39yeah
45:39but he's just
45:40given it a really
45:40good trim
45:41I don't know
45:42what family power
45:42could resist
45:43this oh look
45:44I know
45:45the municipal
45:45building has now
45:47gone and replaced
45:48by this
45:50and we have a
45:51posh cabana
45:52we should sit
45:53down
45:53I think so
45:54we should
45:54lovely
45:55oh look at
45:57this this is
45:58beautiful
45:59isn't it
46:00lovely
46:00oh we've got
46:01a remote
46:02what does that
46:02do
46:03oh what
46:04doesn't it do
46:04oh here we go
46:07oh it's got
46:08lights and a heater
46:09yes
46:10this is amazing
46:12look this is
46:14absolutely beautiful
46:15isn't it
46:16will you stop
46:16playing with it now
46:17no it's mine
46:18it's mine
46:22Dennis didn't need
46:23a big budget
46:24just vision
46:25and elbow grease
46:26he stripped it back
46:28let the views in
46:29and gave this
46:30fabulous space
46:31and its visitors
46:32the room to breathe
46:34in that fresh
46:35country air
46:35it's a game changer
46:37this is really
46:38beautiful
46:38isn't it
46:39yes
46:40when I met
46:41Bob and Robin's
46:42agent Bianca
46:43just days ago
46:44she was struggling
46:45to sell their place
46:46buyers couldn't see
46:48past the negatives
46:49of this large
46:49and dated property
46:52but let's see
46:53what she thinks
46:54now that Wendy
46:54and Dennis
46:55have worked
46:56their magic
46:59so now you've
47:00had a chance
47:01to look around
47:01Bianca
47:02what do you
47:02think about it
47:03it's phenomenal
47:04you have done
47:05such a wonderful job
47:06the carpet was
47:07definitely
47:08well yeah
47:09sorry
47:09thanks Robin
47:11sorry
47:12have we addressed
47:13those negatives
47:14absolutely
47:15yes
47:16more than
47:16we could have
47:17imagined
47:18oh really
47:18so there's nothing
47:19you're still concerned
47:20about
47:20no and obviously
47:21we're in the
47:23buyers hands
47:24so now we've got
47:24to start talking
47:25figures
47:25north of 1.5
47:27north of 1.5
47:28would be lovely
47:29yeah yeah
47:29okay so
47:30is there 1.5 million
47:32plus price target
47:33achievable or not
47:35absolutely
47:35I think that's
47:36very reasonable
47:37yeah
47:37I think addressing
47:38those items
47:39that all the buyers
47:40had said
47:41throughout the campaign
47:42now looking at
47:43that 1.5
47:44they're not going
47:44to be like
47:44oh
47:45okay
47:46pretty good I think
47:47positive
47:47bring it on
47:48yeah
47:48yeah
47:55$90,000
47:56is a lot
47:57of money
47:57to spend
47:58on a makeover
47:58but this
47:59this is
48:00a very big
48:01property
48:01and what I love
48:03is that
48:03Wendy and Dennis
48:04have impacted
48:05positively
48:06on every
48:07last square
48:07millimetre
48:08so let's hope
48:10the great
48:10Australian buying
48:11public
48:12agree
48:18now it's up
48:19to Bianca
48:19and her real
48:20estate marketing
48:21magic
48:21to get them
48:22through the door
48:26oh my goodness
48:29cannot believe
48:30the difference
48:30this floor
48:31has made
48:32in here
48:32it's so beautiful
48:34it is
48:34I would love
48:35to sit in here
48:35with a cocktail
48:36of course
48:38wow
48:38look at the new
48:39bathroom
48:40imagine sitting
48:41in that bath
48:41looking out
48:42to the bush
48:42every day
48:43this is definitely
48:45a million dollar
48:45bathroom
48:46this pool area
48:47is unreal
48:49jeez
48:49wouldn't want to
48:51go to the beach
48:51would you
48:52when you got this
48:53the garden
48:54is really nice
48:55and they've nailed it
48:56it was almost
48:57like I hadn't been
48:58in this home before
48:59it was such a massive
49:01change the floors
49:02and the paint
49:02and the carpet
49:03as soon as you walk in
49:04the difference
49:05in the bathrooms
49:05upstairs is
49:06absolutely phenomenal
49:07I could spend
49:08hours in those baths
49:09very fancy
49:10lights
49:11and opens up
49:13I think now
49:14this house
49:15is probably
49:171.4 to 1.5 million dollars
49:20now that the changes
49:21have been made
49:21it's definitely worth
49:22that 1.5 to 1.6 mark
49:23which is absolutely
49:24amazing
49:251.5
49:25I think as a family
49:27that's looking for acreage
49:28this is probably
49:28the top pick
49:29you're not wrong there
49:31the rabbit has
49:32well and truly
49:33been pulled
49:34out of the hat
49:35Bob and Robin's house
49:38has sold
49:39for 1.55 million dollars
49:42and the joy
49:43on their faces
49:44that's the real magic
49:45music
49:48music
49:49music
Comments