Peter Owen and Peta McMillian
Brendan Owens and Peta McMillan aren't afraid of hard work - which is just as well, because it has taken more than just a little elbow grease to knock their first home into shape.
The 1970s brick house they bought in Mangere Bridge last year was in "pretty original condition", says Brendan diplomatically, and they knew it would need a fair amount of effort to transform it before they could move in.
"But that was OK, we're young and we don't mind hard work, not when it's on your own home," says Brendan.
"And buying somewhere that needed work helped us to be able to affordahouse." The couple, who have a 16 month old son, Jack, weren't daunted when agent Mal McElvanna from Barfoot and Thompson took them to see the house. They could tell it had good bones and they were able to look beyond the purple lounge, green kitchen and orange bedroom as well as the wallpaper, carpet and curtains that had seen better days.
They weren't the only ones who could see the house's potential, and a sudden flurry of interest in it meant the auction was brought forward. Peta and Brendan doubted they could get ready in time but Mal helped by making sure they had all the information they needed to find a building inspector and solicitor in short order. That freed them up to sort out the transfer of their money from Australia, where they had been living, and before they knew it, they owned their first home."I don't think we could have done it without Mal," says Brendan.
While living in their rented home until the lease was up, the couple got to work. Their initial redecorating plans ended up including the rebuild of several walls in wet areas like the bathroom and laundry because of severe mould. A new bathroom was installed and they also stripped wallpaper, skimmed walls, painted in neutral colours, removed carpet and polished floors.
"I actually really enjoyed it," says Brendan, who admits he got some ideas from watching TV home renovation shows. "I would love to do it for a job."
They're living in the house now but still have one fairly major task to do. "We're going to move the kitchen to the other end of the house where the internal garage is at the moment," says Brendan. "It's the best part of the house and we can put in bifolds and have it opening up to the garden."
Brendan and Peta made sure they didn't blow their whole budget on buying the house, so there was enough money to spend on the redecorating. They've also been careful to choose a neutral palette, so when they come to sell, potential owners won't be put off by the colour scheme. Because this was the first project they'd tackled, they made sure they got lots of advice. "It can end up costing you money if you do it wrong," says Brendan. "
I think it is really important to do your homework beforehand and then just go for it and enjoy it."
Houses that need some work are usually cheaper than similar properties in the same neighbourhood and more affordable for first home buyers. If, like Brendan and Peta, you're prepared to do the work, you can not only save money buying, but make money when it comes to selling because you've added value. Real estate sales people can give advice on the aspects of redecorating that should be a priority and will add the most value.
It's a good idea not to get carried away and spend more than you can recoup when you sell. However, problems like mould and cracks should be fixed properly and not just covered up.
It is important to realise that there are jobs you shouldn't tackle yourself - like wiring - unless you have the appropriate qualifications and experience. You may be trying to save money, but mistakes can prove costly.
Sorting out the kitchen and bathroom can be a priority as updated ones not only make life more comfortable while you are living there, but they can be key selling points when you are ready to move on.
Brendan says he and Peta kept this in mind when they were doing up the house but he doesn't anticipate moving in the near future. "Once the kitchen is done we will have got the house how we want it. We really like the area as well as the house, so I think we will be here for a while."
HOW TO FRESHEN YOUR HOME AND ADD VALUE
•Fix problems like cracks, mould, holes and leaky taps. These put buyers off
•Add a fresh coat of paint in a neutral colour. Don't forget the ceilings
•Getrid of old carpets. Floorboards underneath can be polished or you may want to consider other options, like laminate flooring
•Don't forget lighting - it can change the whole feel of a room
•Focus on areas that are going to be expensive to fix, like kitchens, bathrooms and the master bedroom
•Don't forget the exterior of the house, and outside spaces. Tidying up the garden can make a big difference to street appeal.
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