Home Hunters: Melbourne couple has unusual first-home needs — what did they choose?
When Adrienne and Ryan set out to buy their first home, they had an unusual set of criteria — and found three houses that fit the bill. What should they choose? CAST YOUR VOTE
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When Melbourne couple Adrienne Buhagiar and Ryan Woods set out to buy their first home they had an unusual set of criteria for market entrants.
Their first digs had to have a backyard for their seven-year-old dogs: Willow, an Australian bulldog, and Chops, a boxer.
VOTE which house you’d choose for Adrienne and Ryan in the poll below
New housing estates were right out.
And it had to be a dump.
“A lot of our mates only wanted a renovated house, but we will be living in a part-renovated home for a while,” Ms Buhagiar said.
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They were prepared to compromise on access to public transport, and even drive more than hour to work given most of Ms Buhagiar’s job as a family psychologist could now be done from home and Mr Woods’ work tends to move around.
Especially if they could get a bigger block that would help them give any kids they might have down the track room to run around and play among greenery the way she had on her family’s more than 8000sq m property.
The biggest challenge was keeping the price below the then $700,000 cap for Melbourne properties to be eligible for assistance under the federal government’s First Home Loan Deposit scheme (now called the First Home Guarantee).
“Holding out for the right home, we were getting pretty depressed for a bit,” Ms Buhagiar said.
“We were angry the government hadn’t moved their thresholds up.”
Initially they had their eye on Watsonia, where they were renting, as well as Eltham and Diamond Creek a bit further out.
“But their prices were just crazy,” Ms Buhagiar said.
“I think we looked on realestate.com.au one or two times and the numbers there just made us say ‘no way’.”
Mr Woods said it would have taken them another two or three years to save a deposit to cover buying in those areas so they knew they had to look elsewhere.
In the next 90 days they inspected 10-15 homes a month across Bundoora, Thomastown, Whittlesea and Yan Yean – a radius that took them more than 20km from their current home.
“Most were three-bedroom houses, and we wanted something with two bathrooms,” Mr Woods said.
“But it was hard to find one in the first-home buyer scheme we were trying to use.”
Despite the setbacks, they eventually faced a choice between three homes in the final two weeks of their search. Here’s what our first ‘Home Hunters’ found.
OPTION 1: 49 PINEWOOD DRIVE, THOMASTOWN
Three bedrooms, one bathroom and room to park six cars, including two in a garage.
Better proximity to work and a big shed were both in the plus column, and the pair appreciated its hardwood floors.
The home didn’t need as much work as the others in their hit list, but was still dated in most rooms – especially the bathroom.
OPTION 2: 10 SHARMAN COURT, BUNDOORA
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage and a double carport.
The kitchen is at the rear of the house and adjoined by a meals area and a laundry.
A family room, lounge room and a deck round out the floorplan.
Outside, the 565sq m block had a deck and mature gardens.
OPTION 3: 65 OLD PLENTY RD, YAN YEAN
Three bedrooms, one bathroom and covered parking for two.
The home comes with a bit of history at about 100 years old. It was purportedly a former stationmasters’s cottage for a disused train line with the remnants of a former station in a nearby paddock.
It’s also a full blown fixer upper with new wiring, plumbing and restumping all on the expected work list. A big shed added appeal for Mr Woods, and the surrounding greenery was a tick for Ms Buhagiar.
Find out what happened next below
THE EXPERT ADVICE
“Last year was a seller’s market and overwhelmingly so, but this year we have a more balanced market with the dynamics shifting in favour of buyers,” PropTrack Senior Economist Eleanor Creagh said of the sale.
“Although prices are high, they are now falling, which could give first-home buyers an edge. “The trade off, of course, is higher mortgage costs as interest rates increase this year.
“The fear of missing out that gripped the market last year has also subsided, meaning first timers face less competition and have more choice.”
Looking to buy in this area? See what’s on the market right now in Thomastown, Bundoora and Yan Yean
Thinking of selling? Find out what your home is worth.
Would you, or someone you know like to be involved in ‘Home Hunters’ and share your property quest? Email us at nathan.mawby@news.com.au or brendan.casey@news.com.au
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