SCHOOL ZONES:
Avondale College, Avondale Intermediate.
CONTACT:
Ketiesha Elliott, Barfoot, 021 739 686.
AUCTION:
April 12.
It's been one of the toughest challenges they've ever faced. The three young couples who feature on TVNZ's Our First Home series knew that when they signed up to take part in the reality show, they'd be tackling big projects that would require a lot of time, effort and determination.
However, it took a while to realise that not only would they be tested when it came to their renovation skills, but they'd face the stresses that come with working closely alongside their parents - and having their every move caught on camera.
It's been a steep learning curve, but they say they're glad they've done it, and would do it again. If you haven't been following Our First Home, it features three older couples trying to help one of their kids and their partner get a foot on the property ladder.
Each family bought a do-up house with their own money and had 10 weeks to renovate it - thanks to support from the show. The finished houses will be auctioned on April 12, 13 and 14, and the team that adds the most value to their property gets $100,000 to put towards a deposit for the younger couple to buy their first home.
The show was inspired by the struggle many young Kiwi home buyers face when it comes to getting into the property market. Research shows that, in many cases, the only way they can afford a home of their own is to get some help from mum and dad.
THE GOURLEYS
Mum Anne, dad Al, daughter Amy and Matt. Amy Kim and her husband Matt have a bad case of the renovation bug, thanks to being on Our First Home. Giving the Avondale home they bought with Amy's parents a massive makeover hasn't put them off renovating again, even though it was tough going at times.
"We didn't get a lot of sleep, and we didn't have a life, but it has been an awesome opportunity and we really loved it," says Amy. "We're looking forward to being able to renovate a house we can live in.
Matt and I drive around all the time pointing out houses and what we could do to them. I think we've got it bad."
They put a lot of careful consideration into finding the right house for the TV show, and Amy reckons that's half the battle if you want to buy a home to do up and make money.
"I think it is really important to buy well to begin with.
Image 1 of 4: They've laughed, cried and fought ... but finally the families of the hit DIY TV show have transformed three do-ups into smart 21st-century family pads.
The area is important, and although we didn't know Avondale at all, we thought it was a great location because it was so close to the city and transport, and there's a really great community there."
The three-bedroom 1950s home she and her family bought had seen better days, and was suffering from problems such as mouldy ceilings. They gutted it and started from scratch, creating a stunning contemporary home ideal for 21st-century living.
"I love the fact that now, when you step in the front door, it feels like you are coming into an oasis."
The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is Amy's favourite part of the house, and she was pleased they were able to fit a study area into a cupboard. She's also proud of the bathroom, which includes striking tiled walls and a designer bathtub.
Amy says she found it invaluable to do a scale drawing of the house plans, and then draw fittings such as toilets and showers to scale, so they could work out where to put them.
"I didn't have much of an idea about how big things were, so I found that really helped." It took a while to get used to being responsible for making major decisions, Amy says. "You get so used to your parents doing it, it is quite hard when it is up to you."
She is grateful to her parents for being involved, although there were times when it was stressful.
"It was a bit touch and go at times, whether doing this would bring us closer together as a family or cause friction, but we got through those times. We learned a lot about each other and did have a lot of fun along the way."
