STUNNERS FROM UGLY DUCKLINGS TO PROPERTY
RECOGNISING the potential in ugly-duckling houses could see forward-thinking owners l laugh all the way to the bank t this spring.
Renovations sure to turn h heads have hit the market in R Rippleside and Grovedale.
A reconfigured Victorian c cottage at 23 Margaret St, Rippleside, elevates upcycling to an art form, rehousing eclectic p pieces from around the globe.
And a modern makeover of a 1980s brick house at 32 Riatta A Ave, Grovedale, has boosted th the street appeal.
Warrick and Brittany Mossop renovated the Grovedale property after buying it for $355,000 two years ago. Hayeswinckle, Highton agent Michelle Winckle has now listed it for $495,000 to $535,000.
Mr Mossop said the new look drew a strong crowd to the first inspection.
“Everyone loves the style,” he said.
The couple renovated to suit their young family, dressing up the exterior, overhauling two bathrooms and updating the kitchen cabinets.
“It happened over a couple of years, I worked a bit on the render and then every three months we have done an ensuite or a bathroom,” Mr Mossop said.
“For most of it, we had our friends and family helping us.”
Hayeswinckle agent Nyree Cartwright said Melbourne buyers, in particular, were happy to pay a premium for renovated homes in Grovedale and Belmont.
“The home generally has more character than a brandnew home, it’s established and with everything done, there’s a minimal to-do list,” Ms Cartwright said.
Transforming a 1890s cottage into a rustic “urban homestead” was a 10-year labour of love for the vendors of 23 Margaret St, Rippleside.
They designed the doubleheight rear extension around century-old trusses salvaged from an old warehouse in Flemington.
And one kitchen workspace is made from a Geelong Ford factory vintage workshop bench, while the island bench timber was originally from a Geelong cotton mill.
“It’s quite deceiving. From the front you just see this little Victorian cottage and the bluestone fence and cottage garden is gorgeous,” Buxton agent Lee Hilton said.
“But as soon as you open the door, you can see right through the house to the antique doors at the back. It’s quite a reveal.”
It will be auctioned on October 5 at 10.30am with price hopes of $795,000 to $865,000.