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Professional renovators make $1 million dollars overhauling hoarder house

By Amy Collins-Walker •

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When professional property flippers Kathleen and Chris Friedrich received a call about a deceased estate that had been left by a chronic hoarder, nothing could have prepared them for what they found inside. 500 bird cages, sewing machines, stadium chairs, caravan windows, school chairs, and an endless supply of steel and timber were just some of the things they found within the home’s walls. 

“You couldn’t actually move for the clutter and it went all the way to the ceiling. The only clear paths through the home were to the toilet and kitchen,” says Kathleen, who purchased the house regardless, believing that her and her builder husband could add value by overhauling it and selling it on within a five-month period.

BEFORE
BEFORE The front of the home
AFTER
AFTER What a transformation!

Located in Sydney’s West Pennant Hills, the 45-year-old home had one owner whose relatives were looking to sell it as is. “The local real estate agent always calls us when there’s a bad property that they can’t market. We bought it lock, stock and barrel,” says property stylist Kathleen who explains that disposing of the home’s contents was the hardest part of the job. It took 10 people 12 days to empty the home, and $52,700 was spent on rubbish removal alone.

“The owner was building a boat inside his house and there was a school demountable in the backyard. The rubbish went on and on – we never thought it was going to end!”

BEFORE Just a snapshot of what was found inside

And while the home had many negatives (it backs onto the M2 freeway), Kathleen and her husband were persuaded by the 900 square metre block size and the home’s flipping potential. “We made an offer of $1.1 million which they weren’t happy about because the land was valued at $1.3 million. The family initially declined our offer, but we generally only make one offer and we’re not interested in bidding wars. We have no emotion – it’s strictly a business for us,” says Kathleen.

BEFORE bathroom
BEFORE bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

The offer was eventually accepted, and Kathleen and her husband set about overhauling the home over a period of five months. And, as with all of their projects, they were very hands-on, doing most of the work themselves in what is a seven day a week business. “I’m the painter, the procurement officer and the labourer. That said, we do employ people when we can’t hack it anymore,” says Kathleen who brought in a full-time labourer to work on this house as well as a tiler, plumber and electrician. 

AFTER bedroom
AFTER “Adding an extra bedroom is worth $100,000 at resale,” says Kathleen.
AFTER lounge
AFTER lounge

To avoid waiting for DA approvals, the couple always work within the building’s parameters and this house was no exception. “Time is money, and we don’t have 12 weeks to wait for council approval. We make good with the old,” says Kathleen who set about turning the three-bedroom house into one with four bedrooms and a large outdoor deck which is arguably the renovation’s star.

“We knew we’d have to knock down the dodgy verandah that was hanging off the house. We built a deck, took out walls, windows, and put in French doors. There’s also bi-fold windows in kitchen that connect it with the outdoors,” says Kathleen.

BEFORE deck
AFTER deck
AFTER deck

Incredibly, the total reno cost only $170,000 (including the rubbish removal), which is pretty amazing when you consider that it included the wages of a young, full-time labourer. “He was awesome. Without him I’d be needing a new back!” says Kathleen, whose COVID-induced property price fluctuation fears were allayed when the home fetched an incredible $2.2 million dollars at auction recently.

“We had no idea that there was going to be a COVID boom. We were watching the market grow 100k per week. The new owners had missed out on a few other properties, but we were so shocked with price. This house has turned out to be a Cinderella story in disguise.” 

AFTER dining
AFTER dining

For more on Kathleen and Chris

AFTER kitchen
Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY
Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part…

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April 27, 2021

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Colour hug, anyone?! A collaboration with design Colour hug, anyone?!

A collaboration with design studio Nexus Designs, this palette from the new @haymespaint colour forecast is perfect for those looking to create a tranquil environment and has a particular focus on darker shades.

“Inspired by the qualities of an intimate reading room, confident and expressive colours such as Florida Everglade have a muted depth that embody this. Balanced and subtle, it’s also invigorating and luscious. Through all over application, paired with contemporary furniture and styling, this colour and the broader palette plays with tactility, translucency, reflection, and form,” says Myra Murtagh of Nexus. 

See the rest of the colour forecast, include collabs with @adairs and TikTok favourites @joshandmattdesign on the blog homepage now, via link in bio.

#haymespaint #colourforecast #painttrends #colourtrends #paintcolours #paintcolors #darkwalls #readingroom #moodywalls #moodyinteriors #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless Featuring in a Block "disaster" room nevertheless paid off for artist @adoni.art 

Slammed for being too small, @kyleandleslie's living room was otherwise praised by the judges for being beautifully styled.

"In terms of using it as a marketing platform it’s been amazing," he said. "Even for people who don’t follow the show it’s validation that they are following an artist that’s levelling up. The exposure has translated to sales, traffic and attention and it’s everything I wanted because I’m about to launch a new collection.”

Read our chat with Adoni and see more of his gorgeous work via link in bio now.

Have you ever bought something you saw on the Block?

#theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #affordableart #affordableartaustralia #affordableartonline #australianartist #australianart #livingroomart #livingroomstyle #livingroomideas #smalllivingroom #adoniart #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #blockshopper
Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

From time to time, we stray from our Australian-homes-only rule when we uncover something we really love! This project, by @2lgstudio (and also the interior design duo’s own home) is featured in Ornament Is Not a Crime, a new coffee table interiors book by Sydney-based design writer @rebeccalgross.

Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

#2lgstudio #2lg #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #londonhome #londonhomes #brighthome #brightinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulhome #interiordesignersathome #pinkandgreen #pinkandgreendecor #pinkandgreenshouldalwaysbeseen
Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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