| Episode 5 - Cannone Family |
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 Our unexpected renovation journey started with an innocent “sticky beak” at an open house one weekend back in November. I had viewed this old property on the internet 2 days before and thought it would worthwhile viewing. It was a very tired home beach shack on a large parcel of land with nice views. I have since discovered it was as a fruit farm with citrus, paw paw and mango trees, even homing chooks and bees. That weekend, I took one look at this place and knew it was special, and a very rare find. I was so completely captivated by the views and its potential, that I forgot about the house. This is where the renovation stress began. The auction was the following week, so I only had 5 working days to source my finances and, most importantly, convince my wife, Diane, it was a great opportunity and a positive step. I knew convincing Diane would be the harder of the two! A very long and stressful story short, our finances were approved Friday at 6pm and Diane was convinced around 2pm Saturday, the auction was set for 2.30! After a nail biting, heart pumping auction, at the fall of the hammer, I was the new proud owner, completely numb and hit with mixed emotion. Obviously I was elated in securing such a fantastic parcel of land, however it was at this precise point I realised the mammoth renovation task ahead. As the photos show, the house was so run down with no attention given to it over the years. The age of the house certainly didn’t help either, around 50 plus years. Those two compounding factors came through strongly during the whole renovation. Trying to make an old neglected house look new again was a huge task and painstaking. However, prior to commencing renovations, we also had to handle the stress of preparing our house for sale, including choosing an agent, dealing with weekly open houses and the stresses that come with selling via auction. Another very long and stressful story short, the house sold on the day, as planned, within the price range we had budgeted. Thank God!!! On with the renovations I thought from here. The next job was trying to find a builder to match my budget....what a learning curve that was. I have learnt that whatever your proposed budget is, double it! That way you won’t be in for too many financial surprises. Should you come in under that, it’s a bonus! I wish somebody told me that in the start. After choosing a builder and working around his timeline, we commenced with the renovations. The demolition of the old ceiling, kitchen walls, old windows and decking was quite a release, going hammer and tong. Removing the old and preparing for the new gives you such a sense of progress, you instantly see results. However, putting the new into or over the old was an absolute stress. We got there in the end. In short, the whole renovation piece is a stress, a chore and a true test of endurance and patience. It’s such an experience for everyone who travels the renovation path, you do inevitably come out better and wiser at the other end… it’s just getting there that tests you the most.
My advice, for what it’s worth, renovating is definitely not for the faint hearted! No matter how organised, budget conscience and prepared you think you are the journey is a road full of unexpected twists and turns. I can’t recommend it to everyone, but for those who do chose the challenge remember to take time out to re-focus and keep motivated otherwise the whole experience will overtake you, mentally and physically… I’m still wounded and have the scars to prove it. Keep an open mind and a level head. Good luck!
Andrew Cannone |
