Nightmare of a reno becomes dream pad

FOUR years ago, one of Hobart’s most derelict properties hit the market and was snapped up by keen buyers who saw potential behind the trashed facade.

The original section of the Goulburn St home was built in the 1850s, with a brick turn-of-last-century extension at the front.

Left to the mercy of squatters, the floorboards downstairs had been ripped up as fuel for the fire, graffiti adorned every wall and the outdoor toilet was not a pretty sight.

While not officially condemned, the house was a public safety hazard.

Despite its looks, prospective buyers were not put off and it was listed at $275,000-plus with the lure of city living.

The property gained a lot of attention from local and interstate buyers, and real estate agent Adrian Kelly said at the time there was solid interest from 50 different parties.

WIN News presenter Amira Vaatstra and her husband, Tim, took on the challenge of transforming the house.

The owner-builders have built and renovated nine houses in the past.

“It was in such a state, but I realised it had perfect aspect and it was nestled in a really quiet street in the city, with a small frontage and great privacy,” Ms Vaatstra, who is a former interior designer, said.

“I could see the potential. It was a beast, but I could tell there was a beauty within.”

The husband and wife team set about the delicate task of maintaining some of the original features of the home that were salvageable and balanced it with a modern extension.

Every spare weekend, afternoon or hour over the past two years, the Vaatstras have spent scraping, recladding, digging, building and re-purposing — all while working and also raising two children.

Over 15 days without a break, the pair filled 18 skip bins with dirt from the rear of the property.

“We got to one point where we thought we’d dug down to the level we needed to and started celebrating, but then Tim said, ‘Let’s just do a level check,’ and there was about another two skip bins’ worth to go,” Ms Vaatstra said.

“Tim doesn’t get deflated often, but at that moment he looked so defeated.”

Many months of backbreaking work later, the front section of the property now features two bedrooms with a modern bathroom and kitchen with the original fire place.

A new extension at the rear houses another selfcontained one-bedroom unit, which has separate access.

The couple have decided to place the property on Airbnb for short-term rental accommodation.

“The whole time we were torn between living here and continuing in our home at Snug because of the amount

of time and energy we put into this, but the kids are really set on staying down there,” Mr Vaatstra said.

Mrs Vaatstra said she was proud of what they had achieved.

“It took a lot of perseverance and there were times I felt it was too much work and the strain on us and the kids was difficult, but I think I’m an eternal optimist in the end and there’s no leeway for giving up,” she said.

“You’ve committed to it and you’ve got to see the project through.”