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00:13This season, as we celebrate our 200th episode, the house has literally soiled itself.
00:21You're really very rude.
00:23It takes years of practice, Lynn.
00:24Even the agent has given up.
00:26Look, these homeowners really need our help.
00:30We're a bit lost.
00:33Can we just stop this?
00:35This is pretty exciting.
00:37We will tackle our toughest challenges yet.
00:39It is crazy.
00:42I need more.
00:43You always want more.
00:44And with them.
00:45This is amazing.
00:46Will come our greatest rewards.
00:49Oh, my.
00:52Stunning.
00:53Just incredible.
00:54This is insane.
00:57To see all this kindness and generosity, we're just really grateful.
01:09Melbourne.
01:10A cosmopolitan city steeped in history.
01:14An architectural blend of the old and the new.
01:18While the first peoples of this land have lived here for countless generations, the city of Melbourne dates back to
01:25a more recent 1800s.
01:27And while the city began to evolve across the decades, Melbourne houses did too.
01:33A rich heritage of Victorian terraces from the 1800s with their ornate decorative facades gave way to the single-storey
01:43Edwardian bungalows of the 1900s.
01:47Fast forward a hundred years or so, and so many of these wonderful, charming houses have been lovingly restored.
01:57So it's no surprise they are snapped up when they come on the market.
02:02But how do you sell a place like this, that's stripped of all character, and less a legacy of the
02:08architecture of its era, and more a legacy left by a loving nonner?
02:15Meet sisters Maria and Sonia.
02:17Their hard-working migrant parents bought this house in Melbourne's Fitzroy North, fresh off the boat from Italy.
02:24So the home's been in the family since 1961.
02:29It's just a home filled with beautiful memories.
02:32It was a humble childhood.
02:34But there was no shortage of love, laughter, and being Italian, incredible food.
02:41Just remember Sunday morning, waking up from a really young age, and you could smell the sauce cooking.
02:47We were just always happy.
02:49After losing her husband, their much-admired mum became the head of the family.
02:55A warm and loving matriarch, continuing to make happy family memories.
03:01Our children basically adored their big nonna.
03:04She always looked out for them.
03:07Doting on her grandchildren right until the end, her last wish was that when she died,
03:13and the time came to sell the house, the proceeds should be passed on to them.
03:17Her legacy would be to help the kids, help the grandkids,
03:21and maybe set them up to make their life that little bit easier,
03:25and give them that little head start.
03:28Although it was devastating to let go, the time felt right to fulfil nonna's final wish,
03:34and they put the house up for sale.
03:36But despite being on the market for over 12 months,
03:40buyers had not come forward with a single offer, only some hard-to-handle feedback.
03:46One of the words was that it wasn't livable in its current state,
03:51and that was gut-wrenching.
03:54I don't see any faults with the home.
03:56I love it the way it is.
04:04I am in Fitzroy North, which is inner-city Melbourne, literally four kilometres from the CBD.
04:11Such an interesting old historic suburb.
04:15So much architecture.
04:16Love the old ones, and love the way they blend some of the really new stuff in as well.
04:22Now, the one I'm looking at should be coming up on the left fairly soon.
04:28Go.
04:29Oh.
04:30You know all the great examples of architecture around the area?
04:36This, of course, isn't one of them.
04:43It's definitely seen better days.
04:47Look at that.
04:48Look at those aluminium windows stealing the character from the facade.
04:56Hello, Andrew.
04:57Hello, you two.
04:58Come and join me out here.
05:00Nice to meet you both.
05:01Nice to meet you.
05:02Question I've got for you two, and the reason I'm plugging it out here was,
05:05when was this building built?
05:091911, as far as we know.
05:11You know there's no clue to that era from out here at all.
05:15Yes, the cladding sort of covers it all, doesn't it?
05:18Oh, yes.
05:19Not a fan of the cladding?
05:21No.
05:22And door frame is original, isn't it?
05:25Probably is original, yeah.
05:27But the stained glass isn't?
05:28No.
05:29The original lead lights were pulled out.
05:31Oh, were they?
05:32OK, OK, to give us our lovely 1970s-style facade.
05:36Pretty much.
05:38OK, you lead the way.
05:39Let's see what era is inside.
05:41Is it 1900s in there?
05:46Welcome.
05:47OK.
05:49It's not as 1970s as the front in this hallway, that's for sure,
05:53because of this lovely high ceiling.
05:55OK, which room can we start with?
05:57We'll start with the master bedroom.
05:58OK, you'll take me into the bedroom.
05:59That's kind of scary, right?
06:02Lovely high ceilings again.
06:04The ceiling details, they're a nod to the heritage of the home,
06:09but they're not original, are they?
06:10They're not original.
06:11They used to have the...
06:12Oh, look.
06:12You know, the old embossed ceiling.
06:15Yeah, Dad moved those.
06:16Dad covered it up.
06:17Oh, really?
06:17OK.
06:19So, Andrew, this is bedroom two.
06:22This used to be the room that Maria and I slept in growing up.
06:26So, in other words, Mum and Dad never moved house?
06:29Correct.
06:29No.
06:30Wow.
06:30So, how long has it been in the same family ownership?
06:33Well, since 1961.
06:35That's a long time.
06:38As well as the two bedrooms, there's a kitchen with walk-in pantry,
06:43laundry and a loo.
06:44Then there's a dining room and the family bathroom.
06:48Plus, there's a formal dining room leading to a living room
06:52through this frightful arch.
06:55More fake brick.
06:57Yes.
06:57Yeah, it is fake, isn't it?
06:58Dad took a lot of pride and joy in that.
07:01At least Mum stopped him from putting the saloon-style doors on the arch.
07:06It was a lucky escape not getting those, wasn't it?
07:11Here we are.
07:12The heart of the home, the family kitchen.
07:15Mum's favourite place in the house.
07:17This is quite a good size.
07:18It is, yeah.
07:20So, what do we have through here?
07:22So, in here we have our restroom.
07:25Oh.
07:26A toilet right here.
07:27We do, we do.
07:28Look at this.
07:29It's like a sit on the toilet and talk to us in the kitchen.
07:32And many of your conversations were had.
07:35Oh, lovely.
07:38Here we have another dining room.
07:41Yes, you do.
07:43With the retro furniture.
07:45So, hang on.
07:47That's three meals areas.
07:49That's a little excessive.
07:52Why is this not bedroom three?
07:55Probably don't want people walking through a bedroom.
08:00So, this is where the bathroom is.
08:02This is the bathroom.
08:03Off the dining room.
08:04Yep.
08:05And look at those tiles.
08:06They're possibly almost a little bit on trend again.
08:10So, we could almost repurpose them.
08:11Possibly not.
08:14There's no toilet in here.
08:15No.
08:16So, the one that I sat on.
08:19We all fought over.
08:20That was it.
08:21Yes.
08:21Gosh.
08:24Okay, let's have a look.
08:26So, this is the backyard.
08:27Oh, my goodness.
08:29Quite a spacious one.
08:31Look at the size of it.
08:33I know.
08:33We're in Fitzroy North.
08:35Yes.
08:36And rear lane access.
08:37Yes.
08:38Wow.
08:39Okay.
08:40It's still hideous from the back, isn't it?
08:43If you say so.
08:46Why are you selling and what are you hoping to achieve for it?
08:49Mum's wish was always that if she ever went with the sale of the property, that we would
08:54help our children and give them a head start.
08:58Okay.
08:58And what sort of price are you hoping to achieve?
09:00We'd probably say high ones.
09:02Right.
09:03Okay.
09:04There's certainly lots to do here.
09:06Dennis, you might not be quite so nice about the concrete out here.
09:09I'm just warning you.
09:09I don't think you'll like it.
09:10You'll get very angry.
09:14While Fitzroy North has a village feel, it's also unquestionably cool.
09:19The young buyers love it.
09:21Trendy cafes.
09:22Easy access to the city.
09:24In fact, I'm told you can get to the city on bike in 20 minutes.
09:28So, the question has to be asked, why is Maria and Sonia's property not selling?
09:34I'm meeting their agent, Mark, at one of those hip cafes to get his take.
09:41Oh, Mark, nice to meet you.
09:43How are you?
09:45Tell me a little bit about Fitzroy North.
09:47What's the market and demand been like?
09:49Who's buying homes like Sonia and Maria's?
09:52Young families wanting to get into the area.
09:54They're looking at upsizing from smaller homes.
09:56They would really like a three-bed.
09:59So, of course, the configuration as a two-bedroom does not come into that case.
10:03It's certainly not aiding the ability to sell the home.
10:06How many of those buyer groups would be looking for something that's in what I would call turnkey?
10:11The majority.
10:12It's gotten more difficult in regards to selling homes that need a little bit more work done to them.
10:18Okay.
10:22So, buyers are looking for three beds in a turnkey state.
10:27That's two things Sonia and Maria don't have.
10:31They want to achieve the high ones.
10:33But is that realistic in its current condition?
10:38I'm showing them a place that should have the answer.
10:41This is the house we're going to have a look at.
10:44What do you think?
10:45I think it's very pretty.
10:47Yeah.
10:47Very pretty looking.
10:48Beautifully presented.
10:49Neat and tidy.
10:49Yeah.
10:50Should we have a look inside?
10:51Absolutely.
10:55While single-fronted and on a slightly smaller block...
10:59Come on in.
11:00...this home has many similarities to theirs.
11:05Start in here.
11:09Look at the beautiful details.
11:12You've got the old fireplace, lovely timber floors.
11:14The colour palette's beautiful.
11:16So, I want you now to go and have a really good look around, and we'll have a chat afterwards.
11:20We'll do.
11:22Like theirs, it's only just two bedrooms.
11:26Okay.
11:28Definitely smaller than ours.
11:30I do.
11:30There's a welcoming lounge.
11:33They've retained the nice windows.
11:35Plus, a shiny bathroom showing off even more heritage features.
11:40That's lovely.
11:41It adds to the character style.
11:44And a separate loo that's slightly more discreet than theirs.
11:48Oh, wow.
11:50The main difference is this place has embraced its heritage and doesn't need work doing, which
11:57is very clear in the rear kitchen dining extension.
12:01I love the ceiling.
12:03It's just beautiful.
12:06Oh, wow.
12:08And out in the manicured garden, too.
12:12Really lovely.
12:13I could really imagine myself sitting out here in the morning, having some breakfast.
12:17What do you think?
12:18Now you've had a look around.
12:19It's beautiful.
12:20Very nice.
12:21Yeah.
12:21Any ideas on price?
12:25$1.7 to $1.8 maybe.
12:27Okay.
12:27Okay.
12:27I would say $1.9.
12:31Okay.
12:33We're far off, aren't we?
12:34Yes.
12:37It's sold for $1.62.
12:39Okay.
12:40So how does that make you feel?
12:44Nervous.
12:45What I'm learning about your market here is that people want turnkey like this home.
12:50Yes.
12:51Even though with your mum's house, far more lat, much more accommodation, but because it's
12:57a renovator, they're just scared of it.
13:00So all we've got to do is make yours look as good as this.
13:03Fantastic.
13:04That's your job.
13:04Even better.
13:05Don't look at me.
13:06No, we know that.
13:08You don't do much work.
13:09Who said I don't do much work?
13:10Come on, look at back here.
13:11I sometimes get Wendy and Dennis to help.
13:13Oh, okay.
13:14I don't do any work.
13:15How rude.
13:17Ah, the cheek of it.
13:19Seriously though, if we are to squeeze every last dollar out of their mother's legacy for
13:24her grandchildren's future, Dennis and Wendy have a mammoth task on their hands.
13:42Maria and Sonia's mother's legacy was to pass on proceeds from the sale of the family home
13:48to her four grandchildren.
13:50But most buyers don't want two-bed renovators and won't touch it with a barge pole.
13:56So the pressure's on Wendy and Dennis to get buyers interested.
14:01Let's hope it's a case of where there's a will, there's a way.
14:05But first, I've sent them on a lovely stroll through the park.
14:09What a shame it's a little on the dumb side.
14:13North Fitzroy.
14:14How lovely is this area?
14:16It's like the perfect mixture of old world charm.
14:20Yes.
14:20And new age hipster.
14:22Like the Fitzroy hipster.
14:23Yeah, absolutely.
14:24Speaking of hipster, go see Andrew.
14:27Hipster.
14:28I've never said old world, but you know, sure.
14:36Wow.
14:38This is definitely it.
14:40Look how blank it is.
14:41Where is Andrew?
14:44There they are.
14:45Oh, in the nursing warm, are we?
14:48Yes.
14:48Do you want to come in?
14:50Yes, please.
14:51No.
14:55Oh, what a lovely day.
14:58Are you kidding me?
15:00Yeah, bring us to the most beautiful places, Andrew.
15:02A street.
15:04Full of beautiful inner-city Melbourne houses.
15:07Yes.
15:08And then there's this one.
15:09Yeah.
15:10Yeah.
15:11Now, do I stay outside with Dennis and look around the garden,
15:14or shall we just go inside, Wendy?
15:16Are you kidding me?
15:17I know which option you're going to take.
15:18It's like we've been working together so long,
15:20you can read my mind.
15:21Wendy, after you.
15:22I've got you covered.
15:23I've got you covered.
15:23Off you go in the warm.
15:25I've got the heater on.
15:26Oh, good.
15:26Yeah.
15:27Bye, Dan.
15:28See you a minute, Dennis.
15:29Come on in quickly.
15:30Get out this rain.
15:31Let me shut this door.
15:32Oh, my goodness.
15:35Lovely high ceilings.
15:37It's early 1900s property.
15:40Lovely tiled floors.
15:41Yes.
15:42Not very early 1900s style.
15:46Have a wander.
15:47Enjoy.
15:47I will.
15:50Oh, nice big room.
15:58This is amazing.
16:01Where's the toilet?
16:11That is.
16:13Yeah, it's not great.
16:16Can I just say, is this not the biggest garden?
16:19There's so much space, but there's no function, rhyme or reason.
16:23And we've got, what, one lone lemon tree sitting there.
16:26We've got a bit of a patch of grass, you know, with the old hills hoist.
16:30There's so many hard surfaces out here that it's just not funny.
16:33And it all starts right from the front.
16:35It's the ugliest house in the street.
16:38The space itself is awesome, but at the moment, you've got no reason to be out here.
16:43Well, I don't need to be told twice.
16:46It's brass monkeys out here.
16:49I'm just going to go and find somewhere drier.
16:56Wow.
16:58Oh, hello.
16:59So you've had your little wander around?
17:01What do you think?
17:02A couple of things.
17:04It is probably one of the most well-preserved museum-like houses showcasing very varied eras.
17:13But it is also one of the most dysfunctional layouts I've ever seen.
17:18You know, the front of the house, the two bedrooms, are really good size.
17:23Probably not a lot I'd need to change.
17:26But every other room either has no function, not enough function,
17:32or is so outdated that it doesn't matter what it function was anyway.
17:37Just things like you've got a really oversized, outdated bathroom
17:42that seems to have forgotten to add a toilet in there.
17:44Yeah.
17:44Then on this side, you've got a toilet that feels like it's actually more part of the kitchen
17:48than part of the bathroom.
17:50What you might not realise, I mean, you can see through that window.
17:53Yeah.
17:54This block is 450 square metres.
17:57In inner-city terms, there's room for a pony out the back.
18:02Talking of old horses, shall we throw him a carrot?
18:08Come and have a look at this, Dennis.
18:10This will take you back.
18:12Wow.
18:14It's like a time walk.
18:15Isn't it just?
18:17Maria and Sonia own the property now.
18:19It was their mum's.
18:20Mum's wishes were that she could share the money out amongst all the grandkids
18:25so that they can start on their property journey.
18:27So it's a really good reason.
18:29Yep.
18:29Yep.
18:30However, yeah.
18:31I'm guessing there's not many people that want to buy.
18:34Local families will want this house, but they want it done.
18:39That's all.
18:40Oh, and it's got to appeal to a 2020s family.
18:43Right.
18:44Problem solved.
18:45Dennis, your thoughts?
18:47Oh, there's just so many, really.
18:50I mean, the fake clothing at the front.
18:51You've got a non-functional patio when you're coming in.
18:55And the backyard, it's amazing to have that much space.
18:58But, like, there's just no function out there.
19:02So there's some serious problems.
19:04Yeah.
19:05The house itself is an incredibly large house,
19:09but it only has two bedrooms,
19:11and it only has one bathroom, which is not functional,
19:15and it has a whole heap of rooms
19:17that don't seem to serve any real function at all.
19:20We can't solve the problems of this house
19:22if we just focus on one or two rooms.
19:24No, not at all.
19:24We have to focus on the whole house.
19:26Totally.
19:26You want to get a finished product.
19:28Yes.
19:28According to the agents,
19:29almost all the demand is for a turnkey product.
19:32We have to push to take the risk of doing the lot
19:36to get a really good return.
19:38If we only dabble in it,
19:39we have the risk of not even getting the money back.
19:41Yeah.
19:41Well, also, we just can't solve the problems that way.
19:44Let's go and see how much budget we've got.
19:46Yes, come on.
19:47Let's just hope it's a lot of budget.
19:50With buyers not showing any interest,
19:53there's a big task ahead.
19:55So, we're meeting the sisters at Maria's house
19:58to discuss their budget,
20:00and we've been told to make sure we're hungry.
20:05Hello.
20:05Hello, Andrew.
20:06How are you?
20:07This is Dennis and Wendy.
20:09Hello.
20:09Come on in.
20:11Hi.
20:12Nice to see you.
20:16This is the real estate agent, Mark.
20:19Lovely to meet you, Matt.
20:20Very nice to meet you, too.
20:21Oh, my goodness.
20:23Look.
20:30I just would like to officially say
20:32that this is probably going to be
20:34the quickest finance meeting we've ever had
20:36in selling houses history,
20:37due to the fact that...
20:39They really want to just eat the food.
20:42That's good.
20:43Perhaps you guys want to start
20:45with the Australian buying public's
20:47view of the property.
20:49Yeah, OK, let's start with that first.
20:50A bit on dreading.
20:52Well, yeah, let's get that done first, shall we?
20:54Out of the way.
20:59Wow.
21:01The location's great,
21:02but the front needs a lot of work.
21:05The location's amazing.
21:06So many of these beautiful houses along here,
21:08but this one is a bit of a roughy.
21:11Oh, OK.
21:11It's not the lightest, is it?
21:14Wow.
21:15It's getting on his bedroom,
21:16as well.
21:16Totally is.
21:17Yeah.
21:18I kept looking for another bedroom.
21:19Yeah.
21:20The place was so big.
21:20Yeah, you sort of felt like
21:21the third was coming.
21:23I've never seen that, though.
21:24The dining area connecting to the bathroom.
21:27Jeez, look at those tiles.
21:29It's strange that there isn't a toilet in here.
21:33Oh, wow.
21:35A lot of concrete.
21:36A lot of concrete.
21:36A lot of concrete.
21:37A lot of concrete.
21:38Do you want to go to the toilet in there?
21:40Oh, no.
21:43That's not luxury.
21:44You don't have that nice flow
21:47between, like, inside and outside.
21:49Definitely needs a lot of work.
21:51Better configuration and layout.
21:53It's not very practical.
21:55As a package,
21:56you've got to just feel a little bit old school.
21:58Yeah.
21:59For us, it's a no-no.
22:01It just requires too much work.
22:04Wow.
22:04OK.
22:06I know you've watched that.
22:08How are you two fitting?
22:09It's hard to hear,
22:11but I can understand where they're coming from.
22:14Yeah.
22:15Definitely.
22:16The real problems with the house
22:17come down to the layout.
22:19We really need to add a third bedroom.
22:22I'd like to get a really nice master suite
22:24with an ensuite in there.
22:26I want to reconfigure the back of the house
22:28so we can have a second bathroom
22:30and then reconfigure the whole back
22:32so we can get a really great open-plan kitchen
22:36and living space
22:37and have a connection to the outdoors.
22:39That's a big-ticket item just from Wendy.
22:42I know there's probably four or five-ticket items in there,
22:45just to be clear.
22:45OK, big tickets.
22:47Yeah, big tickets.
22:48Yeah, yeah, yeah.
22:48And Dennis...
22:50Look, it all starts
22:51from your initial impression at the front.
22:54We need to bring the house back into the 21st century,
22:56but we've got to do that in a way
22:58where we're sympathetic
23:00to the beautiful charm that it's got.
23:03We need an entertainment area out the back.
23:05I know that it probably served you guys well,
23:07but for a modern family that's going to come in...
23:09They've wandered already.
23:10Yeah, the inner-city hipster-type people,
23:13they want a lovely outdoor entertainment area.
23:15And I think if we can get that,
23:17that is going to create a real asset
23:19for that whole property.
23:22Well, we've told you our wish list,
23:24which is that big.
23:26Yes.
23:26Put yourself an estimate
23:27as to maybe what that wish list costs.
23:29And then...
23:30Maybe double it.
23:31And then tell us what you've got.
23:32Yeah.
23:32OK.
23:34Well, we were thinking around about...
23:42$75,000.
23:49Each, each, each, each.
23:50I was being very nice.
23:53I was serious.
23:55You took a long time to add that each to the end.
23:59The look on their faces was priceless.
24:01Honestly, I was like,
24:02you know what this is?
24:04So just to reiterate,
24:06it's $150,000.
24:07OK.
24:08Right, OK.
24:08OK.
24:09Considerable amount to work with.
24:10And what we bring to the table
24:11is a whole heap of labour
24:13and a whole heap of help.
24:15And that really gets good bang for your buck.
24:18Can I ask a really,
24:20really important question
24:21that I think is important for all of us?
24:25When can we eat?
24:26Yeah, when can we eat?
24:27On now.
24:28Are we done now?
24:29Yes.
24:30Dig in.
24:30Come on, dig in.
24:31I'll ask you some of that, Frank.
24:32Come on, Dad, it's just a...
24:33That's lovely.
24:35Harmson, anyone?
24:36Yeah, Jay.
24:50Maria and Sonia need to sell their family home
24:54to fulfil their mother's dying wish
24:56to help her four grandchildren
24:58onto the property ladder.
24:59While deeply loved for over 60 years,
25:02the house in Melbourne's Fitzroy North
25:04just isn't up to scratch
25:06for modern family buyers.
25:08So, with a generous $150,000 contribution
25:12from the sisters,
25:13we're here to roll up our sleeves
25:15and turn this burdensome bequest
25:18into a light and lasting legacy.
25:22This house is like a time capsule.
25:25A little charmer in the early 1900s
25:28that got a very distinctive renovation
25:31in the 1970s.
25:33And that's pretty much where it stopped.
25:36So, I need to bring this place
25:38into the modern era,
25:40making it far more suited
25:42to the hip Fitzroy North market.
25:44All the major interior problems
25:47with this home stem from poor layout.
25:50For a modern family and for a modern sale,
25:53this house needs not two but three bedrooms
25:56and not one but two bathrooms,
25:59preferably a really great master suite.
26:02Plus, the third issue
26:03is there's no practical link to the backyard,
26:06leaving families scratching their heads.
26:09So, my priority will be
26:11a full rethinking of the floor plan,
26:13creating an improved sleeping zone
26:16at the front of the house,
26:17leaving the back to focus
26:19on living and entertaining.
26:22Two bedrooms will become three,
26:24thanks to a new master suite
26:26in the space which was
26:27the formal dining room.
26:29The old lounge room will become
26:30a new family-friendly bathroom
26:32and an ensuite for the new master.
26:35At the rear, it's goodbye
26:37to the maze of casual dining,
26:39bathroom, kitchen, laundry and loo.
26:42Instead, I'll create
26:43an inviting open-plan space
26:46with a kitchen complete
26:47with combined pantry and laundry,
26:50a spacious lounge
26:51and a dining area
26:52connected to the garden
26:54by bifold doors.
26:56This has to be one of the most
26:58ambitious renos we've taken on
27:00and our first step
27:02is to start stripping back
27:03this home to its bare bones.
27:09There's no point beating
27:10around the bush.
27:11The outside was making buyers balk,
27:14unappealing from the front
27:15and nothing to entice families
27:18at the rear.
27:19It was a lost cause.
27:21And if we understand any chance
27:23of getting this place sold,
27:25all that has to change.
27:27And I'm starting by making
27:29the backyard a haven for families.
27:31I'm going to open this up.
27:33I'm going to give it a patio
27:34and there's going to be
27:35an outdoor kitchen
27:36and a pizza oven,
27:37which will benefit from a pergola
27:39so it can be used in all seasons.
27:42That brings me to the next problem,
27:44which is this big slab.
27:46I'm going to reduce
27:47the acres of concrete
27:48and introduce
27:49some much more family-friendly
27:51lush lawn.
27:54But that'll all be a waste of time
27:56if we can't even get people
27:58past the front door.
27:59So I'm going to give
28:00the front façade a facelift
28:02to give the place
28:03some of its pride back
28:04and leave buyers
28:06with a great first impression.
28:08And there's nothing more
28:09in demand in this area
28:11than the character
28:12and charm of yesteryear.
28:14So the fake brick veneer
28:16is going,
28:17along with the aluminium
28:18framed windows,
28:19which will be replaced
28:20with timber sashes,
28:21far more in keeping
28:23with the era.
28:23A new bullnose veranda
28:25will make the front feel
28:26far more Edwardian
28:27and distinguished.
28:28And once the tangle
28:29of Aggies
28:30and unloved rose bushes
28:31is gone,
28:32I'll use formal planting
28:34and paint the front wall
28:36a crisp white.
28:37Finally,
28:38I'll tile the porch
28:39and paint the front door
28:41a traditional red
28:42to draw out
28:43the heritage feel
28:44of this home.
28:46And guess what?
28:48Now the awful
28:49fake brick veneer's gone,
28:50it's revealed
28:51this far more beautiful
28:53heritage block-style
28:54weatherboard beneath.
28:55It's like I've
28:56struck gold.
28:58Woo-hoo!
29:08Things move fast
29:09in the world
29:09of selling houses
29:10and now you find us
29:12in an entirely new space
29:14and this here
29:15is where the new kitchen
29:16is going to be.
29:18Open to the lounge
29:19and the dining room,
29:20this hub of the home
29:22will embrace the rear yard.
29:24Just what the Target
29:25family buyer market
29:26is looking for.
29:28Now the way
29:28that we've got it designed
29:29is I've got a beautiful
29:30return here
29:31with a view
29:32out to the backyard,
29:33cabinetry all the way
29:35around,
29:35a nice big sink
29:36and the old laundry
29:38is now turning
29:39into a fabulous
29:40butler's pantry
29:41with a laundry in it.
29:43Washer dryer stacked
29:44in here,
29:45a lovely window
29:46with a second sink,
29:47getting lots
29:48of natural lighting.
29:49This is a really
29:50great use of space.
29:57Buyers will really
29:58love a seamless
29:59connection from inside
30:00to my new
30:01entertainment zone
30:02and pergola
30:02at the end of the garden.
30:04But this area
30:05was nothing but a sea
30:07of unwelcoming concrete
30:08so I've come up
30:09with a hack
30:10that will save me
30:11the effort
30:11of having to get rid
30:12of it all.
30:13Plus,
30:14it's sustainable
30:15and pretty cool.
30:18Sometimes with
30:19landscape design
30:19it's all about
30:20adapt and conquer.
30:23I'm cutting into
30:25the slab
30:25to create steppers
30:27while leaving
30:28space between
30:29that I can fill
30:30with turf,
30:31softening the whole
30:32yard in the process.
30:34Too easy.
30:47giving this house
30:48not one
30:49but two
30:50new bathrooms
30:51is a no-brainer.
30:54It makes sense
30:55because once you're
30:56bringing in
30:56all the trades,
30:57the waterproofing,
30:58the plumbing,
30:59you get a lot
31:00more efficiency
31:01by doing two bathrooms
31:03instead of one.
31:04And I'm thrilled
31:05to see how
31:06they're coming along.
31:07This is the main
31:08bathroom.
31:09It's really
31:10generous in size.
31:11I'm going to have
31:12a beautiful
31:12big bath
31:13as well as
31:14a toilet.
31:14But it gets
31:15even better.
31:16Follow me
31:17because
31:20I've also managed
31:23to use the rest
31:24of that room
31:25and turn it
31:25into a beautiful
31:27en-suite
31:28that's going to
31:29connect to the
31:29main bedroom
31:30and it creates
31:32a master suite.
31:33That is what
31:35buyers want.
31:43Determined to do
31:44the best for their
31:45mother's legacy,
31:45Maria and Sonia
31:46are here to get
31:47stuck in too.
31:49Hello.
31:50Hi.
31:50How are you?
31:51Very well, thank you.
31:52How are you?
31:52Thanks for seeing you here.
31:54Have a look
31:54at what we've
31:55tried to create.
31:57Good.
31:57What do you think?
31:58Wow.
32:00We've obviously
32:00discovered a couple
32:01of surprises
32:02in underneath
32:03with the brick
32:04weatherboard pattern.
32:05Yeah, I remember
32:05it.
32:06It's bringing
32:06back memories.
32:07Really?
32:08She's the older
32:09one now.
32:11So we're going
32:11to actually try
32:12and make it good
32:13and restore.
32:14It'll be a dramatic
32:15change.
32:16That'll be awesome.
32:18Hello, hello.
32:19How are you,
32:20Zoe?
32:21Prepare yourself.
32:23Okay.
32:26Oh, my goodness.
32:28Oh, my goodness.
32:30Have we walked
32:31into the right house?
32:32Yeah, no.
32:33It's just like
32:34another house.
32:37The front of this
32:38place is really
32:39coming together.
32:41Previously,
32:42this house was
32:43tired and drab,
32:44but by removing
32:45that brick cladding
32:46and discovering
32:47this brick weatherboard,
32:49add in the
32:50bullnose veranda
32:51and the beautiful
32:52timber sash windows,
32:54we are starting
32:55to pay homage
32:56to the history
32:57of this place.
33:00Unfortunately,
33:01we weren't blessed
33:02with original cladding
33:03out back,
33:03but I've solved
33:05that with
33:05an innovative
33:06material.
33:07Traditionally,
33:08you would use
33:09a timber weatherboard,
33:10but I've used
33:10the fibrous
33:11cement product here,
33:12which will give you
33:13a much larger
33:15lifespan.
33:17I remember when mum
33:18used to say,
33:19stay in school,
33:20we'll end up
33:21sweeping the city.
33:30paint's arrived.
33:34In the living areas
33:36and the kitchen,
33:37I'm replacing
33:37the cold tiles
33:38with laminate boards
33:40in a nod
33:41to the wooden floors
33:41that would have been
33:42here originally
33:43and to make it
33:45practical and durable
33:46for families.
33:48And in the bedrooms,
33:49I'm going for
33:50a touch of luxury.
33:53This home has
33:54so much character,
33:55but what it was lacking
33:57was a sense of warmth.
33:59So I've chosen
34:00Flooring Extra's
34:01Rustic Manor
34:02mushroom wool carpet.
34:04There is absolutely
34:05nothing better
34:06than the sense
34:07of warmth
34:08on your bare feet
34:09at the start
34:10and the end
34:11of every day.
34:11And because
34:13it's wool carpet,
34:14it means it's
34:14a sustainable,
34:16biodegradable
34:16product as well.
34:17So it's
34:18absolutely perfect.
34:38I hear you need
34:39some help.
34:40Yes, I do.
34:42I'll give you
34:42a nice little
34:42couple of tubs
34:43of mulch.
34:44Quappity about my mulch.
34:46So you've got to
34:46put it on nice
34:47and gently.
34:48It doesn't smell
34:49too good.
34:50What, me or the mulch?
34:51Come on, stop this.
34:53Oh, so we're
34:53talking about the mulch,
34:54are we?
34:54This is not great.
34:57With their lifelong
34:59connection to this house,
35:00having Maria and Sonia
35:01helping us
35:02with the renovation
35:03just feels so right.
35:05And I've got
35:06a surprise for them.
35:07I've had some
35:08of their old
35:09family super eight
35:11films digitised.
35:12Tissues at the ready.
35:14Have a look.
35:27We're all going out
35:29for the day.
35:29Yeah, we're all
35:30going to a wedding.
35:31No, it's Holy Communion.
35:32Oh, your Holy Communion.
35:33Oh, mine.
35:34That's me.
35:37Thank you so much.
35:39Oh, goodness.
35:51If there was just
35:52one top tip I could give
35:54when it comes to
35:55renovating your home,
35:56it would be
35:57never lose sight
35:58of how one person's
36:00trash
36:00is another person's
36:02treasure.
36:03Waste not,
36:05want not.
36:06Back here,
36:06there was a pile of rubbish.
36:07I found this amazing
36:10old vintage crate
36:12which I've now filled
36:13with these beautiful
36:14hellebores.
36:15It'll make a real
36:15statement in this area.
36:28The colour palette
36:30I've chosen for the walls
36:31is an upmarket mix
36:32of soft greys
36:33to reflect the home's
36:34heritage.
36:35combined with the warmth
36:37of caramel tones.
36:38And I've continued
36:40that nod to the heritage
36:41of this home
36:42with my choice
36:43of light fittings.
36:45I've gone for brushed brass
36:47which is the perfect mix
36:49of modern and traditional.
36:51It's really the luxury
36:53of the brass fittings
36:54that makes this home
36:55feel just modern
36:58and beautiful
36:58but still respecting
37:00the era of the house.
37:09As Wendy starts
37:10to make this house
37:11a home inside
37:12I'm finalising
37:14my landscaping
37:15outside.
37:16I've opted
37:16for a clean
37:17orderly style
37:19using topiary balls
37:20to add a sculptural
37:21element
37:21as well as a real
37:23showstopper
37:23of the plant world
37:24that'll be the hero
37:25of the front garden.
37:28These beautiful
37:29magnolia inspirations
37:30they are magnificent.
37:33They're in full bloom
37:33at the moment
37:34and they smell
37:35divine.
37:48I've opted
37:49for a bold colour
37:51for some
37:51of the kitchen cabinetry
37:52in a bid
37:53to appeal
37:54to the hipster market.
37:55It will be complemented
37:56by the splashback
37:57and benchtop.
37:58That's arrived
37:59just in time
38:01which is
38:02in a tone
38:02that will help
38:03bring together
38:04the heritage
38:04and modern touches.
38:06It's a new colour
38:08called
38:08Color Cutter Dreamweave
38:09and I love it
38:11because it combines
38:12the traditional grey
38:14that I've got
38:15already in the house
38:16but it's also got
38:17these lovely gold
38:18tones through
38:19so it's a real mixture.
38:21So it brings together
38:22this whole colour scheme
38:23perfectly
38:24and it's exactly
38:26what I was hoping.
38:32This reno's all about
38:34honouring legacy
38:35and I can't think
38:36of a more fitting
38:36finishing touch
38:37to my outdoors kitchen
38:39than to celebrate
38:40the Italian history
38:41of this area
38:42with what else
38:43but a pizza oven.
38:54My finishing touches
38:56are all about
38:57letting this home
38:58breathe again
38:59making it calm
39:01confident
39:01and liveable.
39:03It still honours
39:04the past
39:05but it finally
39:06invites us
39:07into the future.
39:12Now I know
39:13I'm usually
39:13a sucker
39:14for a lawn
39:15but my final
39:16flourish out front
39:17is to use a layer
39:18of decomposed
39:19granite instead.
39:22Not only is it
39:23cost effective
39:23it's also
39:25eco-friendly
39:25and will really
39:27help the foliage
39:27pop too.
39:44Oh, nice.
39:47Oh, this is like
39:49a really good
39:50last thing to do.
39:52Inside,
39:53we've made it
39:55a family home again.
39:56And I think
39:57it looks fantastic.
39:59It really does.
40:00From what we had
40:01to what we have
40:04is amazing.
40:06Yeah.
40:07This is going to need
40:08more than one coat
40:09so we're going to
40:09be here for a while.
40:10Yes.
40:12Ha, ha, ha, ha.
40:25Maria and Sonia's
40:26Fitzroy North home
40:28was dated
40:28and out of kilter
40:30with what young
40:31buyers wanted.
40:33So, have Wendy
40:34and Dennis managed
40:34to give this house
40:35what it needed
40:36to entice them
40:37to buy?
40:42Oh, you're joking.
40:44Wow.
40:47Characters back?
40:48Look at that.
40:50Previously,
40:51the heritage
40:52of this home
40:52was hidden
40:53beneath a bogus
40:54brick façade.
40:57But now,
40:59Dennis has worked
41:01wonders to restore
41:02the hidden history.
41:04I'm totally
41:05gobsmacked.
41:08Hello, you two.
41:10Hello.
41:10How are you?
41:11What can I say?
41:13I know.
41:13Doesn't it look
41:14fantastic?
41:15And the bullnose
41:16veranda.
41:17Oh, my goodness.
41:18Amazing.
41:18It was Mum's
41:19dream to have that.
41:20Oh, was it?
41:21Yes, always.
41:21So, she would fully
41:22approve of that.
41:24How about the fact
41:25that Dennis found
41:26that cladding
41:26underneath?
41:29And the sash windows.
41:31Yes.
41:32Beautiful.
41:33I hate the
41:34aluminium ones.
41:35Now, it looks
41:36absolutely beautiful.
41:39Does it feel like
41:40Mum and Dad's house?
41:42No, it doesn't look
41:44like Mum and Dad's
41:45house at all.
41:46Shall we go inside?
41:48Yes.
41:48Few changes, I hope.
41:52Oh, I say.
41:55The grandeur is back.
41:58Inside, the total
41:59transformation continues.
42:02In the hallway, the cold
42:05floor tiles have been
42:06replaced by warmer
42:07laminate, a splash of
42:09paint and far more
42:11sympathetic light fittings.
42:14This is still the same
42:15hallway just brought
42:16in the 2020s.
42:18Oh, gosh.
42:18So, where should I
42:19start?
42:20Master bedroom.
42:21You mean dining room?
42:23Oh, well, dining room.
42:24Oh, really rubbish
42:25dining room.
42:27But...
42:27Perfect bedroom.
42:29Incredible bedroom.
42:29Perfect bedroom.
42:33Just a beautiful
42:34bedroom now.
42:35It's amazing, isn't it?
42:37And we have
42:38an en suite.
42:40Oh, do we?
42:41We do.
42:43Oh, you...
42:44Oh, yes, you do.
42:45Isn't that beautiful?
42:47Wow, look at this.
42:48It's incredible, isn't it?
42:49So, now, I'm
42:51into what was
42:52part of the
42:53original living area.
42:54Living area, correct.
42:55Yes.
42:55It's unrecognisable.
42:57Yes, it is.
42:59The other two bedrooms,
43:00part of the
43:01original floor plan,
43:02have also benefited
43:03from Wendy's
43:04modern, warm
43:05and, dare I say it,
43:07slightly edgy touch.
43:12This is absolutely
43:14beautiful styling
43:15in here, isn't it?
43:17Incredible.
43:18Pendant light,
43:18which just makes
43:20the ceiling look even
43:20grander.
43:21And the terracotta.
43:22Yes, it's lovely.
43:23It's a beautiful colour.
43:27As for the other half
43:29of the former
43:30living room.
43:32God, this is
43:34a huge bathroom.
43:35Isn't it?
43:35It's massive.
43:37Yeah.
43:37Lovely fittings
43:38that match
43:39the other bathroom.
43:40I think it's beautiful.
43:42It's a really good
43:44use of space.
43:46But it's the rear
43:48of the home
43:48where Wendy's
43:49reworking of the layout
43:50has created
43:51the greatest change.
43:53Oh, oh my goodness.
43:56Oh, look at this.
43:59Goodness me.
44:01This is a big change.
44:09With a vast yet
44:11sumptuous kitchen diner
44:13and lounge area.
44:15It's so nice.
44:17So this, this was...
44:20It was the random dining,
44:21the third dining room.
44:22That's right, because your mum
44:24had so many dining rooms.
44:26Yes, yes, yes.
44:28I can't get over
44:29the size of this living area.
44:31The house hasn't been
44:32extended at all, has it?
44:34No.
44:34It looks like it's larger,
44:35doesn't it?
44:37I'm loving the darker shears.
44:38That gives a sort of
44:39nice moody elegance to it.
44:41I wouldn't have thought
44:42of putting darker shears.
44:43And yet the light's
44:44pouring through them.
44:46But look, look at the kitchen.
44:48Incredible, isn't it?
44:54Who's house is this?
44:56I know, not the same house.
44:58That's how to believe it.
44:59Wendy's styling is on point as ever,
45:02with a bold colour choice
45:03for the cabinetry,
45:04matched with warm brushed
45:06brass handles and lighting.
45:08Wendy's really, really
45:10out of this.
45:10She's a genius, really.
45:12I love the butler's pantry
45:14and laundry combined.
45:16Yeah, it's perfect.
45:18The icing on the cake
45:20is the newfound connection
45:22between inside and Dennis's garden,
45:25complete with outdoor
45:26entertaining area,
45:28which is surely going to be
45:29a hit with family buyers.
45:32Gosh, this is the house renovation
45:34that just keeps on going.
45:36Yeah.
45:39Fantastic.
45:40It is beautiful, isn't it?
45:44Come on, let's go and meet Mark,
45:46your agent.
45:46I can't wait to see
45:48what he thinks of this.
45:52Well, first of all,
45:53before we talk to you, Mark,
45:54I've got to ask you two,
45:55it's been a bit of a brave thing
45:57this for you guys.
45:58It has been.
45:58Was it worth it?
45:59Oh, absolutely.
46:00Absolutely, yeah.
46:01Beyond my wildest dreams.
46:03It is beyond all our wildest dreams.
46:05Real estate perspective is?
46:06It's fantastic.
46:07It certainly surprised me,
46:09that's for sure.
46:10Surprised, aren't you?
46:11So, extremely happy.
46:12It's a definite three-bed,
46:13two-bath with a proper laundry pantry area.
46:16Is that okay for the market?
46:19100%.
46:19We've also got seamless flow
46:21through the house.
46:22It really just ticks a lot of the boxes
46:24for what people want.
46:26What do you think is a realistic,
46:28achievable figure now?
46:29It wouldn't surprise me at all
46:31that with competition,
46:32that we get the magical two,
46:35even beyond.
46:37So, we could be getting to the low twos?
46:39I think so.
46:40Fantastic.
46:41I'd be really thrilled
46:42if we can get anything
46:43with a two in front of it.
46:44Yes, absolutely.
46:45Yeah, yeah, yeah.
46:45Yeah.
46:46Don't forget my extra bonus commission.
46:48No, absolutely.
46:49My lawyer won't forget.
46:54Nobody wanted to buy
46:56Maria and Sonia's
46:57much-loved family home,
46:59but now it's beyond turnkey.
47:03This is going to be one
47:05I shall certainly be watching.
47:10Now, we've done the hard yards.
47:13It's over to Agent Mark
47:14to clinch a sale
47:15and allow the sisters
47:17to make good
47:18on their mother's legacy.
47:20The facade is very impressive.
47:23It's like a different house.
47:24Unbelievable.
47:25I can't even recognise it.
47:27Well, it was a dying room before,
47:29I think,
47:29but it looks so much bigger
47:30than it was.
47:31The change in layout
47:32just makes sense for a family now.
47:34What a beautiful bathroom.
47:37Practical, but elegant.
47:40Beautiful lounge.
47:41You can see the kitchen,
47:43the kids everywhere.
47:45I think for a family,
47:47this would be a really great space.
47:50This is lovely.
47:52Barbecues.
47:53Beautiful.
47:54It doesn't feel like
47:55the same house at all.
47:57Better floor plan,
47:58the ensuite and the butler's pantry
47:59make life so much more practical.
48:02I think it's great.
48:03You can just move in straight away.
48:05You don't have to do anything.
48:06It's just perfect.
48:10Well, that was a terrific open,
48:12but this is the Melbourne housing market,
48:15and with over 14,000 page visits online,
48:18fingers crossed,
48:19a bar is just around the corner,
48:21and the grandchildren can
48:23not just take a step,
48:24but a giant leap
48:25onto the property ladder.
48:29Thanks to the legacy
48:30of their loving nonna.
48:34The Melbourneising
48:36We'll see you next time.
48:56Whamper250
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