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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 then.
00:23Even the agent has given up.
00:25Look, 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.
00:38It is crazy.
00:41I need more.
00:42You always want more.
00:43And with them...
00:44This is amazing.
00:45...will come our greatest rewards.
00:48Oh, my.
00:51Stunning.
00:52Just incredible.
00:53This is insane.
00:56To see all this kindness and generosity,
00:58we're just really grateful.
01:07Ah, the great Aussie dream.
01:10A small pocket of land.
01:12A quaint country cottage.
01:15A simple floor plan.
01:17Just a few tweaks.
01:18You'll be making it year out.
01:21Or you could reach for the skies and dream big.
01:29But when you've got a house with a gazillion rooms that just doesn't make sense,
01:35it's hard to see what's around the corner, let alone if there's any potential.
01:41One thing is clear.
01:43The only question on a buyer's mind is how fast they can walk out the door.
01:50But if they can find it.
01:54Meet Jeremy and Lauren.
01:57They had a dream of the perfect country lifestyle.
02:00And they found it nine years ago.
02:03A two and a half acre property in Gisborne, about an hour northwest of Melbourne.
02:08When we first saw the house, we were just taken aback by the incredible views.
02:14It was definitely a fixer-upper.
02:17But they saw the potential.
02:18So they scraped together everything they had with plans to renovate over time.
02:24We thought such a big house with a big yard would have so much potential to bring a lot of
02:30joy.
02:31But with the cost of raising a family and simply maintaining the property...
02:36Look out for Mama!
02:37..just keeping their heads above water was hard enough.
02:40Let alone taking on a renovation this size.
02:44There's so much that can be done to make it a beautiful property,
02:49but it's just too much for us.
02:53Confident others would see the potential and fall in love with it, as they did,
02:59expecting a quick sale, they put their dream home on the market,
03:02packed up the family and found a little rental in a more affordable area.
03:07But eight months on, it still hasn't sold.
03:11For somebody to walk into the house at an open for inspection,
03:14they perhaps might feel there's a lot of work, it's quite disconnected.
03:18Where do we start?
03:19The sheer size and volume of work is so overwhelming, it's hard to see any potential.
03:26Meanwhile, they are now paying rent as well as a very hefty mortgage.
03:32Add to that the cost of just keeping the property afloat,
03:35and it's all fast sending them broke.
03:39We've only got a few more months before we're in a dire-straight situation.
03:46It's no surprise Jeremy and Lauren are struggling to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
03:52But I reckon there just might be a glimmer.
03:56You guessed it, Gisborne, here I come.
04:00Location's pretty good.
04:02We're about 30 minutes from Melbourne Airport,
04:05and about 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD,
04:08so it's quite well placed for a country town.
04:11But Lauren Jeremy's, I think, is just on the edge of town,
04:15which for acreage isn't a bad thing.
04:20Some nice views from up here.
04:23It's a lot of new houses, a lot of big family homes.
04:29This is the street.
04:30Here we go.
04:33Oh.
04:35When is a street not a street?
04:37When it's an unsealed gravel road.
04:39Oh.
04:43Well.
04:45Not what I was expecting at all.
04:55First impressions?
04:57Clearly not garden lovers.
04:59That is a very underwhelming entrance.
05:06Oh, look at that.
05:09Choice of three doors.
05:11Well, that's probably the laundry.
05:13That's a slider.
05:14We'll go with this one.
05:22Hello, Andrew.
05:23Lauren and Jeremy.
05:24Hi, Andrew.
05:25Look at that.
05:26I had three doors to choose,
05:28and I managed to get it wrong.
05:30The front door's actually around the other side of the house.
05:32So the front facade of the house is facing that way?
05:35Mm-hmm.
05:36Yes.
05:36Yes.
05:37But the driveway's here.
05:38Yes.
05:40Dennis is going to love this one.
05:43Well, let's head in then after you.
05:45Okay.
05:47Come on in.
05:47Oh.
05:49Oh.
05:51Wow.
05:52There was actually a spa here when we first bought the house.
05:55Sorry, in this room there was a spa bar.
05:58A nice big square.
05:59It was the first thing that we removed when we purchased the house.
06:02So people just walk around the spa.
06:04Yeah.
06:04Homeowners are waving.
06:05Okay.
06:05Yep.
06:06Well, let's carry on the tour.
06:09Which door?
06:10Well, how about we try and see what's behind this one?
06:13Okay.
06:13We'll call this door number three after you two.
06:15Okay.
06:16I'm not going first.
06:19It's big.
06:21It's big.
06:22It's big.
06:22One word.
06:23Yeah.
06:24Is that a pattern on the carpet or stains?
06:27Um, maybe a blend of both, perhaps.
06:29Yeah.
06:30Wow.
06:32No wonder you fell in love with the property when you bought it.
06:35Okay.
06:36Oh, and I love the sort of counter-style kitchen there.
06:39It's a bit of a school canteen kind of feel.
06:41Has that vibe?
06:42Yes, it does.
06:44And into...
06:45Is this a secondary kitchen?
06:47One and only.
06:48This is the only kitchen for a big house.
06:50Yes.
06:51Wow.
06:52Okay.
06:53Where's the floor plan for this whopping 415 square metre house?
06:58Right, let's see.
06:59There's the weird entry with all those doors.
07:02Into the sauna room, then the rumpus room.
07:04We'll call it the stained pink carpet room.
07:06The one and only kitchen.
07:07Very small kitchen.
07:09Meal space.
07:10Bedrooms four, five, six.
07:11Dining, study, lounge, laundry.
07:13Oh, God, make it stop.
07:17There's lots more, isn't there?
07:18There's a little bit more, yes.
07:19All right, head that way there.
07:20Sure.
07:21I'm through.
07:22And here's the elusive front door.
07:25Here we go.
07:26Look at this.
07:27The entrance to your home.
07:29Mm-hmm.
07:29That's right.
07:30That's right.
07:30There's no form one there, yeah.
07:32It's the only problem.
07:33It is at the rear of the house.
07:34Yes.
07:34So in...
07:35Nice wide entrance.
07:36Ah.
07:37This is a lovely big living space.
07:39This is lovely.
07:41It is.
07:41Absolutely lovely.
07:42But what's through here?
07:44A fourth lounge room.
07:46That's probably my favourite part of the house, Andrew.
07:48Oh, oh, it's like we're back.
07:51Oh, we are back to where we started.
07:53Yes, more towards, yes.
07:53There's the sauna room.
07:55Yes, through there.
07:56That horrid rumpus room.
07:58And then, because that horrid rumpus room wasn't enough, we've got a second one.
08:02And this is where you first knocked on the door, Andrew.
08:05Behind that bar.
08:05There's the doors.
08:06Oh, look at this.
08:09Gin and tonic, any more?
08:11It's like I'm on a horrid theme park ride, spinning round a maze of hideous walls and floors.
08:17So fast I could puke.
08:20Yes.
08:21Yeah, it's horrible.
08:22What on earth did you buy this for?
08:23Okay, maybe it will all come to me when I go through here.
08:27The south wing or north, east, west, I'm lost.
08:32A bathroom, laundry.
08:35Another three bedrooms.
08:41Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on.
08:45So we have another entrance here, Andrew.
08:47So we've got two entrances, two, what I would call more conventional entrances, unlike the one I actually came through,
08:54on this road-facing side.
08:59And then in here we've got...
09:01The master.
09:02The what, sorry?
09:04The master.
09:04This feels like a living area.
09:06This isn't a master bedroom.
09:08And look at that.
09:09The one and only room, whatever you want to call it, master or living, that really did need a door
09:14connected to the outside, is this one, where you can't get to the veranda unless you climb through the window.
09:21Okay.
09:22I love it.
09:23Jeez, it's a ginormous house.
09:26It's very big.
09:26With the worst layer possible.
09:29Bit of a rabbit, Warren.
09:31No, even the rabbits are giving up on this one.
09:35Oh, my God.
09:36I can see why they are so stressed about money.
09:39This house is never going to sell in this condition.
09:43Could you not just take the option of putting a tenant in it for the next few years and then
09:48dealing with it later on?
09:50Even if this place was rented, we wouldn't be able to afford the mortgage repayment.
09:54So in other words, it's not a viable option.
09:56No.
10:03The property's currently listed for $1.45 million.
10:08But how much longer can Lauren and Jeremy hold out before it sends them broke?
10:15We've got a lot of thinking to do, haven't we, to get you to get this place sold?
10:19Absolutely.
10:20If this place doesn't get sold, then I really don't know what's going to happen.
10:31This property does actually have a lot going for it.
10:34The sheer size of the house and the land, plus these amazing views and its proximity to town and potential,
10:41means it could be a good property for somebody.
10:43But that dreadful layout and terrible condition, I mean, who's going to buy this and pay a decent price?
10:56Gisborne's one of those towns that feels like a country escape.
11:00It's got everything you need, supermarkets, schools, cafes, even a bowling club.
11:06I mean, who doesn't love a bit of barefoot bowls?
11:11But what price do you put on this idyllic country lifestyle?
11:15And are Lauren and Jeremy hoping too high?
11:19Time for a chat with their estate agent, Damien.
11:26Hello, Andrew.
11:27Hey, come and join me.
11:30I'll have a little look around your town.
11:32That'd be great.
11:36You know, chasing in the 1-4s, which possibly is still a little bit steep, but it's not scarily steep.
11:42Okay, their house is old, it's tired and pretty ugly, but it's on a hell of a piece of land.
11:49It's a beautiful piece of land.
11:50Everyone in Gisborne knows the big red house on the hill.
11:53So why have they not been inundated with offers?
11:56Yeah, so it's strong price points up to around the 1-2, 1-2-5, somewhere around there.
12:02The ones that are getting that money are those properties that are move-in, no work to do.
12:08So really, if you've got a decent family home, the 1-2s, you've got a really good chance of selling.
12:14Correct.
12:14So the moment you get over that range, which of course Jeremy and Lauren are, and they're not in dreamwalking
12:21condition,
12:22that's when the gates go up.
12:24Yeah, it gets a bit harder.
12:26Okay.
12:28Lauren and Jeremy might have a property with a standout feature.
12:32That incredible view, but their price expectations could be a little ambitious.
12:39So, what are comparable homes actually fetching?
12:43Well, I found one that sold recently in a similar market, same size block and house.
12:49Time to see what they're up against.
12:51First impressions?
12:52It's our type of place.
12:54It's rustic.
12:55You can't buy it.
12:56Okay.
12:57And through.
13:00Look how easily that door opened.
13:02And a front door as well.
13:04And a front door.
13:04Come on through, because this is just the beginning, you two.
13:08Look.
13:09Oh, look at that.
13:11Wow.
13:12Oh, wow.
13:12Yes.
13:13As you can see, the original, probably tiny kitchen has gone.
13:16There's a lot of money being spent on this house.
13:19I want you now to go and have a really good look around, thinking comparison the whole time,
13:23and I'll meet you out by the pool in about three days' time.
13:27Sounds good.
13:30There are lots of similarities between this house and Lauren and Jeremy's.
13:35Dining room off the kitchen.
13:37It's quite private, but still really connected.
13:39Mm.
13:40Multiple living areas.
13:42They've done really well to capture that view.
13:45Yeah.
13:46And enough bedrooms for a small army.
13:48There's no questioning whether it is the master or it isn't.
13:52But unlike theirs, this one actually flows and fits together perfectly.
13:58It's very seamless, isn't it?
14:00Right through to the fabulous outdoor entertaining area.
14:04Come and join me poolside.
14:06Sure.
14:07How are you feeling?
14:10Wow, this is an amazing property.
14:12It doesn't have quite as good views as yours does.
14:15However, this is buyer ready.
14:17Yep.
14:18What do you think the sale price was?
14:19I would say 1.75 to 1.8.
14:241.49.
14:25Okay.
14:26Wow.
14:28So now you are the buyer.
14:30You've gone to look at your one in Gisborne.
14:31What would you be offering?
14:33I'd hate to say it, but probably less than 1.4.
14:39It's a tough one to swallow.
14:40It's just what the market is.
14:41It's all about what you're competing against.
14:44Bit nervous now.
14:45Okay.
14:45Let's go and find somewhere with a nice strong coffee for you two, shall we?
14:48It might be in the butler's pantry.
14:49You never know.
14:51Well, there it is.
14:53Lauren and Jeremy's dream of 1.45 is never going to happen unless they sink a lot of money
15:00into getting it buyer ready.
15:03But can they afford it?
15:05And where do you even start?
15:17I'm in Gisborne, Victoria, about an hour northwest of Melbourne at one of the biggest properties
15:22I've ever remotely considered tackling.
15:25It's tired, overwhelming, and in its current state has no hope of attracting a buyer unless
15:32Jeremy and Lauren pour in a load of money.
15:36They're already bleeding cash just trying to hold on.
15:40They need help fast.
15:42And I need to convince Wendy and Dennis to do whatever they can to get buyers through the
15:48door before time and money run out.
15:54Am I turning left here?
15:55Yeah, we've got a left here.
15:56Where are we going?
15:58Givy.
15:58Gizzy.
16:00Gardner, Gizzy.
16:02And you know what?
16:02It is a beautiful time of year.
16:04It is autumn.
16:05It's beautiful.
16:07And as a gardener, it's my favourite season.
16:09Is it?
16:09Why?
16:11Why don't you like spring when everything...
16:12Well, spring is beautiful, but spring is just so common.
16:15Oh, God.
16:19Hey, you know what?
16:20What?
16:21Why did the small pepper need a jumper in autumn?
16:24I don't know.
16:25Because it was a little chilly?
16:28Oh, that's a shocker.
16:30You know why it is such an important time of year?
16:32Because you realise the trees talk to each other.
16:34Do you understand how they talk to each other?
16:36No.
16:37How do they talk to each other?
16:38They use a tele-phone.
16:40Yeah, it's interesting.
16:42It's interesting.
16:43We're all connected, same-typic fact.
16:45Yeah, no.
16:47You know what you've done?
16:49What?
16:49You've made me actually look forward to seeing Andrew.
16:53Oh.
16:54Get some good jokes.
16:55That's big.
16:57Wow.
16:58What does a farmer wear under his shirt in autumn?
17:03A harvest.
17:04Harvest.
17:05Oh, my goodness.
17:09Welcome to Gisborne.
17:11Save me, Andrew.
17:13Why?
17:13Dennis is trying to be funny.
17:15Oh.
17:15Is he telling jokes?
17:17He's trying.
17:18Oh.
17:19This is no joke.
17:20Look at the beautiful vista.
17:22The vista is actually really beautiful.
17:25Is this the back of the house?
17:26It's the back of the house.
17:27Yeah, it is.
17:27It feels like the back of the house.
17:28It's the back of the house.
17:29However, because the house is basically around the wrong way,
17:32every visitor and homeowner that's ever been here
17:34always comes in this way.
17:36So it really is the entrance, which is very annoying.
17:39Would you like to look inside?
17:41Would I?
17:42Yes, of course you would.
17:42Follow me.
17:44So I'll just stay out here by myself, will I?
17:46For a week.
17:47Do you want to hand them?
17:49Yes.
17:50Oh, God.
17:52In you go.
17:53Oh, dear.
17:54We shouldn't have this much fun, should we?
17:55No.
18:03You see, it's massive.
18:07Oh, my goodness.
18:08Oh, God.
18:12It's actually older inside than you think it's going to be.
18:14It's really, yeah.
18:15Right.
18:16If you go through there,
18:16you'll go to the classic kitchen and breakfast nook.
18:19Oh, with a nice big step down to yet another floor.
18:23And this kitchen.
18:24Bear in mind, I've told you it's a huge house.
18:27That's it.
18:29It's not just that it's tiny.
18:31It's just so boxed in.
18:33And the other thing is there's so much timber.
18:36It's sucking any available light out of the space.
18:41So this is the actual front door.
18:44OK.
18:45Well.
18:45That nobody ever uses.
18:47Sort of.
18:48Might be another one.
18:50Another one?
18:51There's a little extension on the other side of this room.
18:54A little extension.
18:56Oh, hang on.
18:57I can see Dennis there.
19:00I'll leave you to it.
19:01Oh, a little extension and then you scarp it.
19:03I'm scarp it.
19:04Because you'll be gone for hours.
19:06Dennis, I'm going to have a little bit of lunch.
19:08Hey, Dennis, do you want some lunch?
19:14This goes on and on.
19:19Now, that sells itself.
19:22Isn't it beautiful?
19:23That is unbelievable.
19:24But it's so big.
19:26This place is so big.
19:27It needs so much work.
19:29It all starts as soon as you come into that narrow driveway, which gives you, like, no sense
19:35of grandeur that you're about to come into a house of such size and scale.
19:40Yeah.
19:41It's ridiculous.
19:41That's the whole thing, that the entrance to the property is so far from this grand part
19:46of the house.
19:46It is.
19:47And then you've got this grand part of the house, which is also so tight.
19:50I mean, we've got gutters missing.
19:51We've got paint off.
19:52We've got lichen everywhere.
19:53The lights are looking sort of shoddy.
19:56And the door.
19:56The door doesn't work.
19:58Oh, my God.
19:59My brain is, I could spend so much money.
20:04Oh, well.
20:05I'll go and see if Wendy's got lost or not.
20:08Hopefully she is.
20:09Because then I'll get some budget.
20:11Nice thinking.
20:20Wendy!
20:23Dennis is talking big budgets outside.
20:25Well, he could just stop right there.
20:27Well, you can tell him, because he's bigger than me.
20:31He's considerably bigger than you.
20:34Hey.
20:34Coming down to my territory, eh?
20:36Yes.
20:36Just for a moment.
20:38There's enough of it.
20:39There's so many things that I could do.
20:40There's so many things that need doing.
20:42I should have bought a bigger tape.
20:46This is a house that is too big for its own good.
20:49In contrast, you've got this tiny, weeny little kitchen stuck right in the centre of the house
20:54that's not connected to anything.
20:56And on top of that, the final layer of disappointment is seven different types of flooring.
21:02So you've just got this overwhelming sense of just yuck.
21:07But other than that, do you quite like it?
21:09Yuck.
21:10It's a great way of describing it.
21:11It's a very technical word.
21:14It's a really good property, but just somehow it's got to grab buyers' attention.
21:19You two.
21:20Somehow.
21:21You two.
21:22Yeah.
21:22Nice flip-ass.
21:23Yeah.
21:23Are you ready, Tim?
21:24Should we go and meet them?
21:26Yeah.
21:26Yeah, watch your heels.
21:28Lauren and Jeremy must sell, but to even have a chance of landing a buyer, they're going
21:33to have to risk a lot of money they don't have first.
21:37Even then, there's no guarantees.
21:44Wine is perfect, isn't it?
21:46It's lovely.
21:48Do some introductions.
21:50Damien is Lauren and Jeremy's real estate agent.
21:53Of course, these are our homeowners.
21:54Hello.
21:55Hello.
21:55They have looked around the house.
21:57Did you get lost?
22:00Before we start talking about the house, are you ready for the buying public's reactions?
22:03Sure.
22:04Oh, it's going good.
22:08What's behind the staining glass?
22:10Oh.
22:11Oh, so you are sitting.
22:12So what's this about?
22:14That must be the front door.
22:15It's a rabbit warrant, isn't it?
22:17Amen.
22:18I find the house very confusing.
22:20It's hard to tell what's the front of the house, what's the back of the house.
22:23Yeah.
22:24Oh, the teen carpet.
22:26Oh, it's big.
22:27Deering me up and flowing his home.
22:32The kitchen is old.
22:34Yeah, the kitchen is dated.
22:36It's definitely due for an update.
22:39Is it a bedroom or a ballroom?
22:42This was room, room, room, room, room.
22:44Room, room, room.
22:45It's all social or pokey.
22:46There is a lot that needs to be done here.
22:51I think it's probably one.
22:531.2.
22:551.1 to 1.2.
22:59Yeah, I'd be probably 1.2.
23:04Okay, Lauren, what's your reaction to that?
23:07Brutal, but honest.
23:09Yeah.
23:10How about the last bit?
23:11Price.
23:13I don't agree.
23:14So, I mean, do you want to give some feedback what you've thought of the house?
23:18I think it's overwhelming.
23:20It's a big house and there's a lot of rooms.
23:24The rooms aren't grand and they don't have a great sense of purpose.
23:29Yes.
23:29And then, in contrast to that, you've got this tiny little kitchen that's kind of smack bang in the middle
23:34of the house but actually isn't connected to the rest of the house.
23:37And then I think there's a real, there's a lack of cohesion and that's about decorating style and, you know,
23:43I think you've got seven different flooring types in the house.
23:46It's a lot of different flooring.
23:48That's just the inside.
23:52Where do I start?
23:54You're driving up to the place and you sort of think, am I coming into the front of the house?
23:58And then you sort of, you get confused.
23:59And I reckon as soon as people then walk inside, they've already been deflated from outside and so they take
24:04that negativity straight inside.
24:06I could spend so much money on the outside.
24:08But it's just so vast that the money that you spend, it's hard to see the value.
24:14So I've got to focus in on certain areas that are going to actually make a difference.
24:18So let's focus on that.
24:19We've got to get this sold and quick.
24:21Yep.
24:22What would it take to sell it?
24:23So if somebody came and offered you an amount, what would it have to be in order for you guys
24:28to say, it's worth it, let's cut and run?
24:311.45 is our bottom limit.
24:33Now the market in the time you've been trying to sell has been, correct me if I'm wrong, sort of
24:39a little bit like that.
24:41A little bit wobbly?
24:41Yep.
24:42Yep.
24:42So we've got to find you the very best solution that gets you a sale.
24:47Normally I ask these guys what they'd want to do and then I go, what's your budget?
24:53But I think we've got to be really careful here because I don't just want to encourage you to spend
24:58a whole heap of money and then we don't get it back.
25:01So how are you feeling about taking a punt on?
25:04100k.
25:05100k?
25:07Yeah.
25:12So the only way we can access money at the moment is borrowing money and $100,000.
25:20That would feel like a risk if we were to have to manage that money ourselves.
25:26It is a risky strategy, but it actually is a really good house.
25:33Yeah.
25:34I reckon it's worth the punt.
25:35That's all we can borrow at the moment.
25:37So whatever you can do, that magic wand, wave that one.
25:43I back ourselves with what we can do.
25:46I think we bring that value.
25:48Oh, yeah.
25:49We can do it.
25:50I'm sure.
25:51Full faith.
25:51On that note, so it's cheers to everybody.
25:54Cheers.
25:55Cheers to a little bit of risk.
25:56And Damien, you've got a lot of work ahead.
26:01As the saying goes, if you build it, they will come.
26:04But we've never taken on a Renault with this much at stake.
26:08The pressure has never been greater.
26:10Can Wendy and Dennis rise to the challenge and give this family the lifeline they so desperately need?
26:27We've got a huge task ahead.
26:30Not only is this one of the biggest houses we've done, but one of the biggest budgets.
26:36And there's a lot riding on it.
26:39Lauren and Jeremy have borrowed $100,000 for us to fix their home enough to hopefully get a sale before
26:46they go grope.
26:48Gotta say, that's serious pressure.
26:53Okay, before all of the trades are going to come into this huge house and create mayhem,
26:58I just want to talk through exactly what my plans are.
27:01Deciding where I put my money is crucial, and this kitchen is one place.
27:06It's way too boxy for a house this size.
27:09But by opening it up to the huge rooms on either side, it creates the illusion of one large space.
27:16I'm going to use fluorine and paint and colour to create cohesion in this whole living zone.
27:23But it's down here that I'm going to spend some serious dough.
27:27We just don't need two whole wings full of bedrooms.
27:31So, I'll leave the other one as it is.
27:34But this wing?
27:35Well, this is where I'm going to create some magic.
27:38With a luxury master bedroom, en suite, dressing room and home office.
27:44And this entire wing turns into a super luxurious parents' retreat.
27:51There are so many things I could do with this property, but I'm putting 99% of my limited budget
27:57into turning this no-man's-land out the back into a beautiful front entrance.
28:03It's a big call, but definitely worth it.
28:06Especially when you drive up and you face that.
28:12So, I've got to break it down into chunks.
28:17My job is to create an entrance that will lure people in, starting with a beautiful wide
28:23path, leading to a cosy patio that's not just somewhere to land, but to sit and enjoy.
28:28And all of it framed with a fragrant country cottage garden.
28:33That will give you a whole introduction to what is going to happen inside.
28:37A helping hand.
28:39Coming along well.
28:40Yeah, it is.
28:41It is.
28:42There's a lot to do.
28:43You could have bought a smaller house, you know.
28:47Removing this one wall in the kitchen will make a huge difference and an expense well
28:52worth it.
28:53Because there's actually a lot of other things I can do to bring this kitchen to life without
28:58breaking the bank.
29:00When you've got a really huge house to spread your budget across, it's best to work with
29:04what you've got.
29:04And actually, this kitchen is pretty good.
29:08I'm painting the tired old timber cabinetry and tiled splashback a crisp white.
29:15I'll add a sleek Caesarstone benchtop and modern fixtures and appliances, giving us a fresh
29:22and contemporary country feel.
29:25And more importantly, connecting the living spaces to that beautiful view.
29:38My path is really starting to take shape.
29:41Before, it was actually a narrow pathway.
29:43And it made you feel like you had to rush into the house.
29:46Now, it's an open, wide, meandering path, so you can take your time.
29:51Like they say in the country, stop and smell the roses.
29:56Although, it doesn't look like our homeowner Jeremy's stopping anytime soon.
30:01Oh, you're like you're pre-trained.
30:03I can give you an apprenticeship, straight up.
30:05I love working doing this.
30:08Don't waste your energy.
30:09You know, need some for later.
30:12Yep, then we'll tip over.
30:16If you sort of, if we keep like for like, sure, it's one area we don't like to skimp on.
30:22When they drive here, they'll actually make people fear, as this is the front of your house.
30:31To bring cohesion to this home, I'm replacing the dark walls and ugly floors with soft neutrals,
30:37which recede into the background.
30:39So the eye flows naturally from one space to the next.
30:45This is one of these great tricks that I've done in previous renos,
30:49and it always just blows me away.
30:51I've walked into houses where we've got this timber panelling.
30:55You put a coat of paint over it,
30:57and suddenly you have this beautiful, original VJ walls
31:01that look like a modern country style.
31:04It's just such a great makeover.
31:07I love it.
31:13It's the same deal with the flooring.
31:16The best way to achieve cohesion is by being consistent.
31:21Bringing one single carpet all the way from that living room into these bedrooms, down this hallway,
31:30and then most importantly, into this master bedroom gives us one single look that feels really luxurious.
31:40I've chosen this polyester loop pile from Florine Extra's Green Cape range.
31:46It comes in eight colours, and this is Snowden.
31:49And while it looks and feels really plush, it's actually super durable.
31:54It's stain-resistant, it's fade-resistant, and it's really easy to clean and maintain.
32:00And for an area this large, I think this is absolutely perfect for what is probably going to be a
32:07very busy family home.
32:12You all right?
32:18I didn't touch the carpet.
32:21You did touch it.
32:22I saw it.
32:23I did.
32:23I was like...
32:25And he wonders why I never let him inside.
32:28Go on.
32:29Go on.
32:29Out you go.
32:30Yeah!
32:32Oh, my God.
32:35Just when you think he's not a footy player anymore.
32:41I'm still kicking goals, don't you worry about that.
32:49Pretty much all my budget is being spent on the new entrance, but I've put aside enough to
32:54turn this old balustrade from a dirty burgundy to a fresh, clean white, which will match my
33:00new front patio beautifully.
33:03This outdoor patio really felt tired and unloved, but by simply adding in a balustrade, which
33:09is pre-primed pine, 42 by 42 batten, when I stand back and look at it, it now feels like
33:17a really cosy place to come out and sit.
33:20But, as I've said, it's the garden that will truly bring this entry to life.
33:27Before, the plant foliage really detracted from the house and it was overgrown.
33:32Now I'm actually lifting and enhancing the property.
33:36A cottage garden should be an assault on the senses.
33:39Colour, fragrance.
33:42That takes a lot of planning.
33:45Here's a tip from your old mate, Den.
33:49One of the key aspects of landscape design is your plant layout.
33:53Now especially in a cottage garden like this, you need to add your larger layers, like your
33:57bigger trees, and you need to place them in the right positions.
34:00Step back, have a look and then you need to go your medium tiers.
34:06I've added these camellia balls, they're going to create a big punch as soon as you walk
34:10in, and then you've got your lower tier.
34:13This is where you can get creative, with a pop of colour or some good ground cover.
34:18But do your research first.
34:21Find out what works in your local climate.
34:23What grows beautifully in Queensland, ain't necessarily going to cut it in country Victoria.
34:32I love being in the dirt.
34:33You know what, you're doing it with a smile.
34:35That's the best thing.
34:37It must be stressful.
34:39You're paying mortgage, you're trying to keep up the maintenance.
34:44Yeah, yeah.
34:45Like the pressure is starting to kick in.
34:47We're getting close to that awful number nought.
34:51What if this property sits again on the market for another nine months?
34:55Well, I don't think we can leave it on the market for that long.
35:01We'll have to take whatever we're offered.
35:02We just can't afford to pay the expenses that it's causing us.
35:06Well, mate, I'm feeling the pressure myself.
35:08I really am.
35:10We're so grateful for the help.
35:12Oh, mate, honestly, it's all our pleasure.
35:15I'd take my hat off to you, you know, like in taking that leap of faith.
35:18You know, hopefully we do get that sale within the next month or two.
35:23Well, mate, maybe this might just ease the pain a little bit.
35:26Get this pot in.
35:27Is it a gardening therapy?
35:28Yeah, correct.
35:33Mate, just like that, masterclass potting with Dennis.
35:37Perfect.
35:39A lesson I'll never forget.
35:42I wonder how Wendy's going.
35:45For some reason, she won't let me go inside.
35:48But I've got a sneaky plan to weasel my way in.
35:52It's a bit cold.
35:53Thanks for your jacket.
35:54Yeah.
35:55I've got this beautiful hydrangea leftover and it is full of flour.
36:00Are you going to give it to me?
36:01Yes.
36:01And I think it could be a lovely display inside.
36:04It could.
36:05Actually, yeah.
36:05I'll have that.
36:08Can I come down and have a look at this?
36:09No, I can't have a look at that yet.
36:11Really?
36:11I'll take my plan and I'm going.
36:12I like that.
36:13Yeah.
36:14She took my jacket.
36:18My biggest job on this reno is giving the south wing a real sense of purpose.
36:24So I'm turning it into a parent's retreat.
36:27Not just a master suite, it's my masterpiece.
36:31A six bedroom house can actually be a turn off for a lot of buyers.
36:35So I'm converting the ones down this end into something a little more luxurious.
36:42This bedroom is going to become a beautiful dressing room.
36:46Not just a walk in robe, but an entire room all about places to put your clothes and shoes.
36:53Cabinetry all around these walls.
36:55You can see we're just starting to put all the framework in here.
36:58I'm going to add some really lovely block out curtains so that you feel completely private.
37:04And maybe a little bit of furniture just to make it feel like a proper dressing room.
37:10These days, a parent's retreat isn't complete without a home office.
37:14So I'm creating one of those.
37:16But the real star of this wing is the master, with its floor to ceiling windows.
37:23That and the luxurious ensuite I'm building to go with it.
37:28In my mind, this end of the house, this is the part that's going to capture the hearts of new
37:34buyers.
37:35It's so beautiful.
37:36So converting this old useless room into the master ensuite, for me, is all about luxury.
37:43And that starts with colour scheme.
37:45I've chosen a light herringbone tile for the floor and simple white subway tiles in the wet areas.
37:53A double vanity, white VJ boards and a super luxurious bath with views to the garden completes the country charm.
38:04This is the final piece of this beautiful puzzle of a bathroom.
38:14It is no secret that I love my turf.
38:18But, quick DIY.
38:20If you're going to do turf, do it properly.
38:22Honestly, get yourself a nice level platform to start with.
38:26The way you do that is simply by getting yourself a lawn leveller or a grid rake.
38:33And what happens is the soil falls down into the undulations and it levels the whole area off,
38:41giving you a nice flat surface for the grass to grow on.
38:44That with water.
38:46Lawn.
38:47Yeah, baby.
38:58With a bit of preparation, you too can quite easily have a beautiful, flat and stunning piece of lawn.
39:06Now, a family's kids can come out and play in an open, fresh field.
39:13It is incredible.
39:22Everything's coming together perfectly.
39:25And I mean that in the literal sense.
39:29Bringing cohesion to this house and giving it the elegance this grand country property deserves
39:34was my number one mission.
39:42All the finishes that I've chosen are all about bringing every room together
39:46and making it feel like it flows from one space to the other.
39:50I wanted something calm.
39:52Ambient lights create warmth and a subconscious sense of flow.
39:57And feature lights strategically placed define spaces without disrupting harmony.
40:04I wanted everything to be tonal and very gentle.
40:08Simple artwork.
40:12Soft textures and earthy tones for that classic country feel.
40:24I figured I'd find you out here lazing about doing nothing.
40:28Don't.
40:29Even.
40:30Start.
40:32You can stick your lion's share of the budget right where the sun don't shine.
40:37Well, the sun shines here.
40:39Look at that.
40:41Oh, it's made a huge difference.
40:44You know what?
40:45I actually underestimated this renovation.
40:48I underestimated it in regards to how much work was involved.
40:51What's that?
40:52But I underestimated it in regards to how big a difference I could have made out the back.
40:58Oh, yeah.
41:00It's beautiful.
41:01How is inside?
41:03You'll be so happy with the way that I spent our money.
41:06Of course.
41:08Alright.
41:11I'll just honestly just wait here for you.
41:14Lazy bones.
41:30I'm back to breathe in the fresh country air in Gisborne.
41:33Except I'm so nervous, I'm finding it hard to breathe at all.
41:38Wendy and Dennis had a massive challenge yet again.
41:41This time it was totally different.
41:43They took on their biggest property ever with so many problems.
41:49I'm not sure their $100,000 budget could even scratch the surface.
41:54But what really concerns me, Lauren and Jeremy have risked money they don't have
42:00to get this place sold before they go broke.
42:04Oh, look at that.
42:14Oh, Dennis has completely redesigned the whole thing.
42:19Look at this.
42:20Doesn't it look different?
42:21You've got a proper veranda and everything now.
42:24You two are smiling from ear to ear looking at this.
42:28We're very proud of the way our house looks now.
42:30You should be.
42:31It looks amazing.
42:32Big changes.
42:33Okay.
42:34Well, why don't you two lead in?
42:35Absolutely.
42:36I will follow you.
42:37Because obviously I don't know the way.
42:39A nice wide pathway.
42:41This is absolutely stunning.
42:46I don't know how, but Dennis has transformed what was a ramshackled mess at the back of
42:52the house into a proper grand entrance.
42:56The planting is beautiful.
42:59It's full of country charm.
43:00And for the first time, it might actually entice buyers through the door.
43:05Now that they can find it.
43:08This is definitely somewhere you'd want to sit now, isn't it?
43:12Definitely.
43:13Unbelievable.
43:15All right.
43:15Lead the way, you two.
43:16Come through.
43:21I really love this little room, Andrew.
43:23It looks absolutely terrific, doesn't it?
43:25Still got the doors, but Wendy is a genius.
43:28What she's done is she's put the same colour tone.
43:39You know what it's like?
43:40It's like a hotel foyer.
43:41I'm expecting the visitor's book to be there.
43:44Okay, Lauren, you lead the way into what used to be called the Rumpus Room.
43:48Oh, wow.
43:49Well, that's a big dramatic change through here as well.
43:52Look at this.
43:54Wow.
43:59The transformation is dramatic.
44:01There's no other word for it.
44:03And you can't miss Dennis's garden.
44:05No, it's perfect.
44:06Yeah, and you forget with rooms.
44:08If you can see directly outside, if that looks a mess,
44:10the room will never look good.
44:13Flooring.
44:15I don't miss the pink carpet.
44:17The flooring is beautiful.
44:18I love, and I actually love the way that Wendy's kept the original slate there by the fireplace.
44:23It kind of adds to the character of it.
44:25Very nice.
44:26Should we carry on?
44:27Please.
44:29We are in there.
44:30Oh, yes.
44:31Beautiful kitchen space.
44:32Such a different look.
44:40It's the original kitchen, isn't it?
44:42It is.
44:43Yes.
44:43I am totally blown away.
44:46With a new bench top, a lick of paint, and a sledgehammer,
44:50Wendy's turn, what was a dark and dated timber kitchen with walls everywhere,
44:55from an eye saw to an eye see.
45:05It's amazing what an impact.
45:07Opening this up, not only got the aspect that way, it's so beautiful,
45:12you now look straight through from that breakfast bar out to that view.
45:19Welcome to the dining area.
45:21It is a huge, huge dining room.
45:26Getting the steps up today.
45:27Absolutely.
45:28Oh my, Lauren, look at this.
45:31Isn't this just an incredible change of space in here?
45:34Yes.
45:39The vintage bar is no longer here.
45:42Yes, of course.
45:44Hallelujah, getting rid of that horrid bar has finally given these French doors a reason to exist.
45:52Oh, and Wendy and Dennis have left Crimson themselves.
45:56We'll keep these up as a memory.
45:57Yeah, that's obviously Dennis.
45:59Clearly.
46:00Right, and there's more to see, isn't there?
46:02There is, yes.
46:02Come on.
46:03Let's go through now to the parents' retreat.
46:05Oh, parents' retreat, eh?
46:07I can't wait to see what Wendy's done with the three pokey bedrooms down here.
46:10What, this first room?
46:12Yeah.
46:12Oh, Wendy's made this a study.
46:15Gosh, what a lovely space.
46:17I can feel a novel coming on.
46:21An entire dressing room worthy of a grand country estate.
46:27And...
46:28Oh, wow.
46:30The best till last.
46:33Beautiful master bedroom.
46:35Stunning.
46:39The vastness of the view with the three windows and this beautiful bay window over here at the end.
46:44Look, I'm going to say, this is always my favourite little spot here.
46:47This is so nice.
46:50Wendy's turned what felt like just another living room into a spectacular master suite.
46:57Although, I can't help but feel it's missing something.
47:02Oh.
47:02Oh.
47:03That's the other bedroom.
47:06Wow.
47:10Right.
47:18This is a game changer.
47:20This would never have worked as a main bedroom without this.
47:24Absolutely.
47:25It kind of feels like it was always here.
47:28Should have been, I think.
47:29Yeah.
47:30What a transformation.
47:32But we've still got to get it sold.
47:35Time to check back in with our agent.
47:38Hello there, Damien.
47:39Hello.
47:39Good to see you again.
47:40You too.
47:41And, um, you've obviously shown Damien around.
47:44Yes.
47:44How did you get off?
47:45It's great.
47:45Now you've seen the changes.
47:47Money's been spent.
47:48These guys need to sell quickly.
47:51Is it ready for the market?
47:52I think it is ready for the market.
47:54Right, okay.
47:55Let's just wind the clock back a bit about some prices and expectations
47:59that you had before the works.
48:01I mean, they were what?
48:02We had the property listed at 1.45 to 1.55.
48:07Okay.
48:08Do you think it could sell in the 1.4s?
48:12I think it's possible.
48:14You know, you only need two people to start to get interested in this
48:18and then there's a chance of just pushing that price up a little bit
48:22if there's not much competition.
48:23And whilst there is other things for sale that might be a bit cheaper,
48:27this does have the scale and position.
48:30There's nothing else on the market in Gisborne sort of with this scale.
48:33Oh, well, good luck to everybody.
48:35Thank you, Andrew.
48:38Lauren and Jeremy took a leap of faith and Wendy and Dennis have absolutely delivered.
48:46I reckon the bars will be queuing down that really long driveway just to have a look.
48:57And hopefully one of them will make an offer Lauren and Jeremy can't refuse.
49:05What's the painting?
49:06It's beautiful.
49:08It's so much more open and flowing.
49:11Oh, my love.
49:14Oh, it's like it comes from a hill.
49:19And look at the view.
49:24I have no words.
49:26Just...
49:26Not the ballroom that we thought.
49:28No.
49:29It's an actual bedroom.
49:30It's an actual bedroom.
49:31Can you believe it?
49:33It doesn't work in here.
49:35My goodness gracious.
49:37This is spectacular.
49:39I actually thought I was walking into the wrong home when I first got here.
49:43The whole landscaping and the painting and the...
49:46Yeah, there's a clear front door now.
49:48Yeah, it's clear.
49:48Before, it was so tight and run down.
49:51It didn't really have much life to it, whereas now it's bright, fresh and stunning.
49:56Yeah, I would pay one four to one five.
49:59I think we're hovering around that 1.5 mil.
50:02With everything that's been done, it would really...
50:04To me, I'd probably only be pushing 1.55.
50:08Good.
50:09Oh, I just want to move in.
50:10It's beautiful.
50:13And just like that, with a sprinkle of Wendy and Dennis fairy dust, Lauren and Jeremy's Gisborne property received an
50:20offer of $1.5 million.
50:23Now to find the perfect home with the perfect price tag to leave room for life's bigger dreams.
50:30We're gonna do the perfect home with the perfect home first.
50:31It's beautiful.
50:42We'll see you soon.
50:43We'll see you soon.
50:47We'll see you soon.
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