- 13 hours ago
Selling Houses Australia S18E05
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00:12This season, as we celebrate our 200th episode,
00:18the house has literally soiled itself.
00:20You're really very rude.
00:22It takes years of practice then.
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 right up, folks, to the grand illusion that is...
01:17Real estate marketing.
01:20That brochure listing the dream home.
01:23A masterclass in misdirection.
01:28Dazzle with the best.
01:30Downplay the rest.
01:31That old favourite phrase, location, location, location.
01:37Because if the postcode's perfect, peeling paint is palatable.
01:41But what happens when a property is so underwhelming that even the real estate smoke and mirrors cannot make a
01:52buyer 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.
02:20Yeah, 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...
02:34I 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.
02:45Not 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, there was no holding back.
03:00They found a four-bedroom split-level house on 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.
03:15And 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.
03:29It's been the same thing.
03:33Batteries.
03:35Power.
03:36Then an accident turned everything on its head.
03:40Bob was volunteering with the SES.
03:43On one of those jobs, I had a misadventure where I fell back
03:48and broke the head off from a femur.
03:50So three weeks after that, I had a total hip replacement.
03:54Suddenly, the home they so loved became 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.
05:10Yeah.
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 that's making it so hard to sell?
05:27Oh, this is their driveway now.
05:30OK, so it's a bit bland, blonde brick,
05:33but it's a lovely property.
05:42Ah, Bob and Robin, come and join me.
05:44Yes, hello, Andrew.
05:45Nice to meet you.
05:46Yeah, nice to meet you too.
05:47Welcome.
05:48Could we work our way up to the top of the drive?
05:50Yeah, sure.
05:50That way we could show me what we've got.
05:53Yep.
05:53How big's the land?
05:55About five acres.
05:56Right, and how much of it's usable?
05:58Just what you get, 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, I see home.
06:10OK.
06:11Yes.
06:11Yes.
06:12It makes me feel happy.
06:13OK, all 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, um, I mean, wow, decor-wise, it's like it's never, ever been touched.
06:34Everything is as it was originally.
06:36I mean, look, even your cushions have 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,
06:49which is the view out there.
06:50Yes.
06:51Yeah, yeah.
06:51OK.
06:52Yeah, yeah, yeah.
06:53But this isn't your only living area, is it?
06:54No, no, we do have another living area.
06:56So, so, and the kitchen's through here, isn't it?
06:58Yeah, yeah.
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, these floor tiles that I noticed in the first room, they're through the whole ground floor.
07:49Yes, they are.
07:51All right, let'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.
07:58That's, it's just, again, you know what I'm going to say, don't you?
08:03I know, I 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.
08:12Yes.
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.
08:22Well.
08:23So we thought we should start drawing something.
08:25They do help.
08:27Oh, you're missing taps as well.
08:28Yes.
08:28Clearly you are in the throats or something.
08:29And I love it, we'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 there.
08:37I mean, a missing vanity might be a turnoff with buyers, but certainly not a deal breaker.
08:44Main bedroom.
08:45Yes.
08:46Oh, big.
08:46Lovely, lovely 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 robe there.
08:57Correct.
08:57And ensuite.
08:59Yes.
08:59So don't tell me this is original.
09:01I 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.
09:12It's gone.
09:13Oh, 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.
09:22No.
09:22Correct.
09:23Well, there we go.
09:24What 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.
09:46This pool area is a...
09:48Oh, this is a fantastic asset.
09:51It is.
09:51Your whole home.
09:52Yes.
09:53I mean, it's big.
09:55Young families would love this.
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, yeah.
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.
10:15Perhaps speak 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 know.
10:21I'll meet you up there.
10:22Despite the bad decor and lack of bathrooms,
10:26I'm honestly baffled why this property isn't selling.
10:29I've seen some dire houses in my time,
10:32and this definitely isn't one of them.
10:35Either way, it's clear Bob can't manage all those stairs
10:38and maintenance for much longer.
10:40They need a buyer ASAP.
10:43They 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
10:57and the South Coast's stunning beaches.
11:01It's just a five-minute drive to the town of Nowra
11:04and 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.
11:45A lot of my feedback was that it was just dated.
11:47It's been there for over 28 years.
11:50Like, the carpet is original from those first feet.
11:52Is that original?
11:53Oh, my God.
11:54OK.
11:54And I think people look at flooring and they look at the terracotta tile
11:58and they think dollars.
12:00They think, I'm going to have to replace that
12:01because I want something modern, a floating floor.
12:04How much does that cost?
12:05I want to do new carpet upstairs in all the bedrooms.
12:07How much does that cost?
12:08So, it's not even...
12:09They might like the house, but they're just thinking,
12:12I don't want to take on this project.
12:14Yeah.
12:14Or, at 1.5 minus everything I have to spend
12:17to make it work for my family, they're not seeing the value.
12:20So, if I said to you, you've got to get it sold this week, right?
12:24Do it down.
12:25Yeah.
12:25As it is, no changes.
12:26Where does the true value sit right now?
12:29We would encourage them to put it on
12:30for 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, I just wanted to clarify that.
12:38All right, come on.
12:39Let's get out of this wind.
12:40Yes, definitely.
12:40It'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
12:49for people to wrap their heads around,
12:52and that makes modernising 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
13:07and 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.
13:18So, this is a house we're having a look at.
13:20Still in Narrow Hill, of course.
13:21Sitting on about three acres.
13:24Okay.
13:24It's a little bit less than yours, but...
13:27All clear and usable.
13:29Single-level home.
13:31Initial thoughts?
13:32It looks...
13:33Very pleasant.
13:34Yeah.
13:35Nation tidy.
13:36After 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,
13:50and then I'll meet you out by the pool afterwards.
13:51Okay.
13:52Lovely.
13:52Enjoy.
13:54This property has a lot in common with Bob and Robin's.
13:57Nice fireplace.
13:59Two living areas, large open kitchen,
14:01four bedrooms,
14:03two bathrooms,
14:04nearly 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?
14:25It is, 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.
14:36Just a 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 does that make 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 and you have much bigger rooms.
15:07It gives us confidence.
15:09Yeah, it does a bit, I think.
15:10Yeah.
15:11Come 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 Noura Hill, New South Wales, where Bob and Robin have been trying to sell their beloved acreage for
15:40over a year.
15:42It's becoming a desperate situation for Bob, who at 74 is struggling with the amount of stairs 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.
16:17To be precise.
16:19It's very cool.
16:21And look, look at my safety.
16:22Digital mirrors.
16:23And cameras, 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 back
16:51in.
16:55It'll keep my donuts toasty.
16:57I 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!
17:17I 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...
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.
18:06Oh.
18:06A couple?
18:07Anyway, why don't you go and have a look inside?
18:10Oh.
18:11This is a big 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.
18:29Oh, my goodness.
18:49Oh, Andrew.
19:09Hello, Wendy.
19:11Hello.
19:11I mean...
19:14This was big 20 years ago.
19:17Yeah.
19:18But I think because I'm so shell-shocked from upstairs...
19:21Yes.
19:22OK.
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...
19:34what we're 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.
19:44OK.
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.
19:57It's very unwelcoming.
19:58Just from a styling point of view, you know, having just timber on top of tiles, there's no
20:03real warmth in here, and 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, and the things that
20:20are dragging it down are easy fix.
20:22It's style.
20:23Sorry.
20:24Did you say easy fix?
20:25OK.
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.
20:37It is a big old space.
20:37You know what?
20:38But it's actually a lovely space.
20:39Yeah.
20:40It's tired.
20:41It's dated.
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.
20:56Oh, 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.
21:10Because you haven't seen what I've seen.
21:12All right.
21:13Dennis.
21:13Problem one.
21:14The 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.
21:20So, 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.
21:29It's just you need to understand.
21:31Andrew really understated.
21:33Did understate.
21:34The problem with the bathrooms.
21:36Like, 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.
22:13Well, I'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.
22:20Bianca, 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?
22:27My thoughts start right from the moment you enter the place.
22:30Like, 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 all by the way.
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 rent a house.
23:07Right.
23:08Yeah, yeah.
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 ensuite 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.
23:23That's good.
23:24The 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, luckily, because I'm using
23:38all the rest of the money for the bathrooms.
23:40Yes.
23:41I think we've heard your opinions now.
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.
23:50Are 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, yeah, the cobwebs over 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 there is an ensuite.
24:11Oh.
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 colors.
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, 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.
24:45Definitely 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.
24:55With the amount of work, maybe 1.3.
24:58Yeah, it's not warm and inviting them.
25:00It's not highly.
25:02It's a bit scary.
25:03It's scary, yeah.
25:04Price-wise, they were sort of hitting 1.2s and 1.3s.
25:06What are we after?
25:08Do you want to share your target figure was?
25:101.5.
25:12I think in its defence, as a house, the layout is absolutely brilliant.
25:18It needs no changing whatsoever.
25:20Which is great.
25:20Even Dennis externally, you 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.
25:35But that might be over-capitalising, yeah.
25:39We have got 90,000.
25:4190,000.
25:42Okay.
25:43With that kind of budget, I want to do a great showstopper en suite
25:48that feels luxurious.
25:50I want to do as much as I can to update and improve the main bathroom.
25:57I 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.
26:16Cheers.
26:16I'll work very hard on this one, as I always do.
26:20Budget in the bank.
26:21One's up the ready.
26:22Let the magic begin.
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.
26:41But 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,
27:01I 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 down to the back.
27:19So starting here, I'm going to have a farm-style wing
27:22on either side of my driveway,
27:23which will frame this house and make it feel so much grander.
27:27Then onwards.
27:29Down to these garden beds,
27:33it's 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
27:45is this pool area.
27:48This area has the potential to sell the whole place,
27:51but not when you've got a monstrosity
27:53that 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
28:35and 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.
28:49But that's about to change.
28:51This is a beautiful country property with stunning views
28:56and the house needs to start living up to them.
28:59I'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 freshener.
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 ensuite.
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 ensuite is actually the biggest
29:57and 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, and a beautiful freestanding bar,
30:11centred under the feature window.
30:14This is the room that the new owners need to fall in love with.
30:22That'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, and gone,
30:32yeah, that'll do.
30:34Thing is, plants grow,
30:36trees grow,
30:37and before long, they're tangled,
30:39overcrowded, and 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,
31:17you 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!
31:37The 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 seat,
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.
32:05I need to work with what I've got,
32:08and 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.
32:17If 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,
33:24it's seriously satisfying.
33:30Hello.
33:31You've got the good job.
33:32You betcha.
33:33What do you think,
33:34Bob, looks better?
33:35Fabulous, yes.
33:36It does look fabulous.
33:38I 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
33:44once.
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.
33:57But,
33:58like...
33:59Time to move on,
34:00you know.
34:00New adventures.
34:01We want to move
34:02to our next stage
34:03in life
34:03and, you know,
34:04enjoy the rest of it.
34:05You 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
34:40the fireplace,
34:42the views,
34:43curling up
34:44with a nice glass of red
34:45on a winter's afternoon.
34:47I'm putting
34:47in soft curtains
34:49around the bay window
34:50and laying warm,
34:51plush carpet
34:52straight over the old tiles.
34:54A great way
34:55to 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 maximum
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
35:28in the family 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-friendly
35:38facelift.
35:41It's going to be
35:42about spraying
35:43all of these
35:44dated tiles
35:45just a crisp white.
35:47A new vanity,
35:48a new shave cabinet,
35:50a new toilet
35:50and everything else
35:52is pretty much
35:53as it is.
35:54And the trick is
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 aged
36:11and a bit yellowed.
36:12So get it all done
36:12at once
36:13and you'll save
36:13yourself time
36:14and money.
36:15Speaking of money,
36:17the master en suite
36:18is where most
36:19of mine's going
36:20and it's coming
36:21together beautifully.
36:23All 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.
36:35But the original
36:36doors on here
36:37were concertina
36:38doors.
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 on
36:54thing.
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
37:04swing into the
37:04bathroom which
37:05gives me the
37:06extra room I need
37:07for the shower
37:07and double vanity.
37:09Your work here
37:10is done.
37:12Yes, done my mate.
37:15This entire
37:16back garden
37:17has brought new
37:17life to Bob
37:18and Robyn's
37:19property.
37:19And the pool
37:20area, well,
37:22that's my
37:22centrepiece.
37:25The old
37:25structure that
37:26was here, it
37:27really did not
37:28suit this space.
37:28It actually
37:29felt like it was
37:30misbuilt and it
37:31was pieces of
37:32everything joined
37:33together.
37:33Now, we have a
37:35modern and fresh
37:36pergola which is
37:37exactly what this
37:38pool area needed.
37:39What they're doing
37:40now is installing
37:41automated louvers
37:42which open and
37:43close depending on
37:44the weather.
37:45So, you can be
37:46poolside, rain,
37:48hail or shine.
37:53Now, all the
37:54really messy work's
37:55pretty much done.
37:56It's finally time
37:57to put down the
37:58flooring.
38:00So, there was a
38:01time when the
38:02terracotta tiles in
38:03this room were all
38:04rage, which is a
38:06long time ago.
38:08And even though
38:08terracotta as a
38:09colour and even in
38:11some circumstances
38:12tiles are coming
38:13back, the tiles that
38:14were here are not
38:15part of that
38:16resurgence.
38:17So, I wanted to
38:18give it a completely
38:19new look.
38:21So, I've gone with
38:22the Flooring Extra
38:23Luxury Vinyl Plank
38:24Collection and I've
38:25done that for a few
38:26reasons.
38:27There are so many
38:29colours.
38:29I've chosen Spotted
38:31Gum because it
38:31blends beautifully with
38:33the timbers already
38:34in the house.
38:35Vinyl is also
38:36super hard-wearing.
38:38So, if you've got a
38:39family of kids running
38:40around, you want
38:41something that'll stand
38:42up to heavy traffic.
38:44It's also nice and
38:46warm underfoot, unlike
38:47cold tiles.
38:50And the best part is
38:52that not only does it
38:53come in lots of
38:53different colours, but
38:54it's super easy to
38:55install.
39:00This job's a great
39:02example of what you
39:03can do without a major
39:04reno.
39:05The place looks
39:06totally different.
39:07And the best part is,
39:09if you've got the
39:10time, most of what
39:11we've done here, you
39:12can tackle yourself.
39:14But I'm not quite done
39:16yet.
39:16Remember that driveway
39:17entry I mentioned
39:18earlier?
39:21And there you have it,
39:22my three-rail acreage
39:24fence.
39:25Not only does it give
39:26you a grander sense of
39:27entry, but it takes your
39:28focus away the negative
39:29of the driveway.
39:31And as you drive in,
39:33it helps take your
39:34eyeline all the way to
39:36that beautiful ridge
39:37line at the back.
39:39This transformation
39:41wasn't about spending
39:42big.
39:42It was about getting
39:44rid of the 80s money
39:45pit and bringing in a
39:46breath of country air.
39:51A fresh colour palette,
39:53beautiful new flooring,
39:54and softer lighting have
39:56helped bring that warm,
39:58welcoming feeling buyers
39:59connect with.
40:01The master en suite now
40:03adds that real sense of
40:05luxury.
40:06And the updated family
40:07bathroom is clean, fresh
40:09and ready to go.
40:11And with some simple
40:12contemporary styling to
40:14finish it off, presto.
40:16Just enough magic to make
40:18buyers fall in love.
40:26Hello.
40:27Oh, just in time.
40:30Just in time for what?
40:31To help me with the rug.
40:34Oh, my goodness.
40:35I'm tired.
40:36Are you tired?
40:37Yeah, it's a big property.
40:38It's been a big job.
40:39Ah, yeah, it has.
40:41I do feel like the changes
40:43we've made, inside and out,
40:46Yeah.
40:46have turned this into a,
40:48like a real family home.
40:50Absolutely.
40:51Absolutely.
41:02I'm heading back to Bob
41:04and Robin's in Noura Hill,
41:05New South Wales,
41:06to see if Wendy and Dennis
41:08have been able to weave
41:09their magic enough
41:11to make those buyers
41:13materialise.
41:18Ah, Dennis has put a nice
41:20defined entry point.
41:21That's better.
41:23Oh, and you can see the view.
41:24Oh, that's awesome.
41:34Hello, you two.
41:35Good morning, Andrew.
41:37Welcome back.
41:39Defined entry point.
41:40Yes.
41:44Yes.
41:46Okay, shall we have a look inside?
41:47It may be the same house,
41:50but I'm betting Wendy's
41:51pulled the odd trick or two
41:52from her sleeve.
41:54Ah, thank you.
41:55Come on in.
41:57Very smart.
41:59Oh, wow.
42:00Yeah.
42:06But all the lovely colours,
42:08the beautiful floor,
42:10how that kind of almost looks
42:12like it's always been here.
42:14Yeah, no more terracolour tiles.
42:16The flooring was an instant
42:18deal-breaker for so many.
42:20Even if that's all Wendy's done,
42:22which I know it's not,
42:23it's a massive step
42:25in the right direction.
42:29Wendy, interestingly enough,
42:30has carpeted this bit.
42:32It's not a main thoroughfare,
42:33so it's perfect, this carpet,
42:34especially by the fire.
42:36It's the cosy part of the house.
42:37All the lovely shears
42:38are looking amazing.
42:39I love it.
42:43So, let's have a look
42:45at the kitchen.
42:47The warmth Wendy has injected
42:49into these downstairs living spaces
42:51is remarkable.
42:53This floor colour
42:55has been critical
42:56in sort of tying it all together.
42:57It has.
42:58But has she managed
42:59to manifest something
43:01from nothing
43:01in my least favourite
43:03room of the house?
43:06Abracadabra.
43:08I can't tell you
43:09how different it looks.
43:11That looks great, doesn't it?
43:12I love the wall lights.
43:14So, Wendy's painted out
43:16the dado route,
43:17hasn't she?
43:17Yes, she has.
43:17And the VJ's new.
43:19It still maintains
43:20that little bit
43:21of country feel.
43:22And you've got to keep
43:23hold of that country feel
43:24because this isn't about
43:25making it some bourbon chic
43:26more than hope.
43:27That's not what a buyer's
43:28wanting in this house.
43:29No, no.
43:29It's a really lovely room.
43:31It is a lovely room.
43:32No, I think we should
43:33go upstairs next.
43:34That's where
43:35big ticket items
43:36were going on,
43:37wasn't it?
43:38Right.
43:39Oh, look.
43:40Again, the flooring
43:42has such a positive impact.
43:43Yes, doesn't it?
43:44Oh, look.
43:46Nana's left the building.
43:49Look at those lovely rooms.
43:51They're beautiful.
43:52No surprise
43:53at Wendy's work
43:54her Midas touch
43:55upstairs as well.
43:57This all looks
43:58so much fresher.
43:59Doesn't it?
43:59With the paint.
44:00Yes.
44:01But let's face it,
44:02I'm here for the battle zones
44:04starting with
44:05the family bathroom.
44:07Now.
44:08I know.
44:09Look at this.
44:12Wow.
44:14It looks absolutely beautiful.
44:16Doesn't it?
44:16You partially started this.
44:19Yes.
44:20But the tiles,
44:21wall tiles,
44:22that's all the respray.
44:23And then we've got
44:23a lovely new floor.
44:24And now,
44:25not old-fashioned.
44:26The little nib wall there
44:27hiding the toilet.
44:28Yes.
44:28I love that little detail.
44:29Yes.
44:30Just gives this bathroom
44:31a little bit of an edge.
44:31Yes, it loves,
44:32doesn't it?
44:33Well,
44:33she certainly delivered
44:34on that.
44:35Oh,
44:36Robin,
44:37look at your
44:37grand master suite.
44:39I know.
44:40It's a lovely,
44:41lovely room
44:41and with the view too.
44:42Yes.
44:44But,
44:45I've got to see
44:46the bathroom.
44:47Yes.
44:47Through the bathroom.
44:48Here we go.
44:49How did she go
44:50with the mere shell
44:52that was
44:52the en suite?
44:55Oh,
44:55that's so disappointing.
44:57Oh,
44:58Andrew.
45:00Wow.
45:01Gosh,
45:01it's beautiful,
45:02isn't it?
45:03Isn't it beautiful?
45:03I love these tiles.
45:05they're beautiful,
45:05aren't they?
45:06Pleased?
45:07Yeah,
45:07very pleased.
45:07Delighting.
45:08Very pleased.
45:08Should we go and see
45:09Dennis' workout time?
45:10Yes,
45:10we should.
45:11Yes,
45:11it's lovely.
45:18What a massive
45:19tidy up
45:20this area's had.
45:21I know,
45:21it looks beautiful,
45:21doesn't it?
45:22The new planting,
45:24that's knockout.
45:25So it's been
45:25pressure washed
45:26all the surfaces
45:27and he's repainted
45:28the deck.
45:29Oh,
45:29the deck's all done.
45:30The deck's been re-oiled.
45:31Yeah,
45:31the deck looks
45:32very smart now.
45:33That tree there,
45:35it's not new,
45:36is it?
45:36No.
45:36It looks like
45:37he's spent a fortune
45:38on that.
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 this.
45:43Oh,
45:44look.
45:44I know.
45:45The municipal
45:46building has now
45:47gone and replaced
45:48by this.
45:50And we have
45:51a posh cabana.
45:52We should sit down
45:53here,
45:54I think so.
45:54We should.
45:55It's lovely.
45:56Oh,
45:57look at this.
45:58This is beautiful.
45:59Isn't it lovely?
46:00Oh,
46:01we've got a remote.
46:02What does that do?
46:03Oh,
46:04what doesn't it do?
46:05Oh,
46:05here we go.
46:08It's got light
46:09and a heater.
46:10It is.
46:10This is amazing.
46:13Look,
46:13this is absolutely
46:15beautiful.
46:16Isn't it?
46:16Will you stop
46:16playing with it now?
46:17No,
46:18it'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
46:28back,
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.
46:36It's a game changer.
46:37This is really
46:38beautiful.
46:39Isn'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.
46:47Buyers 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
46:55and Dennis
46:55have worked their magic.
46:59So now you've had
47:01a chance to look
47:01around,
47:02Bianca.
47:02What do you think
47:03about it?
47:03It's phenomenal.
47:05You have done
47:05such a wonderful job.
47:07The carpet was definitely...
47:08Wendy and Dennis.
47:08Well, yeah,
47:09sorry, yes.
47:10Thanks, Robin.
47:11Sorry.
47:12Have we addressed
47:14those negatives?
47:15Absolutely, yes.
47:16More than
47:17we could have imagined.
47:18Oh, really?
47:18So there's nothing
47:19you're still concerned
47:20about?
47:20No, and obviously
47:21we're in the
47:23buyer's hands.
47:24So now we've got
47:24to start talking figures.
47:26North of 1.5.
47:27North of 1.5
47:28would be lovely.
47:29Yeah, yeah, yeah.
47:29Okay, so
47:30is their 1.5 million
47:32plus price target
47:34achievable 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 throughout
47:41the campaign,
47:42now looking at
47:43that 1.5,
47:44they're not going
47:44to be like,
47:45oh, yeah.
47:46Pretty good, I think.
47:47Positive.
47:47Positive.
47:48Bring it on.
47:48Yeah.
47:55$90,000 is a lot of
47:57money to spend on a
47:58makeover, but this,
47:59this is a very big
48:01property.
48:02And what I love is
48:03that Wendy and Dennis
48:04have impacted positively
48:06on every last square
48:07millimetre.
48:09So let's hope the
48:10great Australian buying
48:11public agree.
48:18Now it's up to
48:19Bianca and her real
48:20estate marketing magic
48:21to get them through
48:23the door.
48:26Oh my goodness.
48:29Cannot believe the
48:30difference this floor
48:31has made in here.
48:33It's so beautiful.
48:34It is.
48:34I would love to sit in
48:35here with a cocktail,
48:37of course.
48:38Wow, look at the
48:39new bathroom.
48:40Imagine sitting in
48:41that bath, looking out
48:42to the bush every day.
48:43This is definitely a
48:45million dollar bathroom.
48:46This pool area is
48:48unreal.
48:49Jeez.
48:50Wouldn't want to go to
48:51the beach, would you,
48:52when you got this?
48:53The gardeners look
48:54really nice.
48:55And they nailed it.
48:56It was almost like I
48:58hadn't been in this
48:59home before.
49:00It was such a massive
49:01change, the floors and
49:02the paint and the
49:03carpet, as soon as you
49:04walk in.
49:04The difference in the
49:05bathrooms upstairs is
49:06absolutely phenomenal.
49:07I could spend hours in
49:09those baths.
49:10Very fancy.
49:11Lights.
49:11It is a bit fancy.
49:12And opens up.
49:13I think now this
49:15house is probably $1.4
49:18to $1.5 million.
49:20Now that the changes
49:21have been made, it's
49:21definitely worth that
49:22$1.5 to $1.6 mark,
49:23which is absolutely
49:24amazing.
49:25$1.5.
49:26I think as a family
49:27that's looking for
49:27acreage, this is
49:28probably the top pick.
49:30You're not wrong
49:31there.
49:31The rabbit has well
49:33and truly been pulled
49:34out of the hut.
49:36Bob and Robin's house
49:38has sold for
49:39$1.55 million.
49:42And the joy on their
49:43faces, that's the real
49:45magic.
50:06Oh, there's a lot of
50:06magic.
50:06Thank you for listening.
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