In the latest episode of\u00a0 Love It Or List It Australia<\/em>, John and Sharyn\u00a0face a common property dilemma \u2013 update their retro home or sell it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharyn and John with hosts Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker. Picture: Love It Or List It Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sharyn is over the outdated house and wants to use the proceeds of selling the house to fund a sea change. John is keen to stay put, loves the green and serene location and doesn\u2019t feel the need to rock the boat.<\/p>\n So can a dated 70s home stuck in a bit of a time warp deliver modern-day home comforts and up-to-date style?<\/p>\n Andrew Winter and\u00a0Neale Whitaker hosts of\u00a0Love It Or List It Australia\u00a0<\/em>take a look at this period property and offer<\/a> their advice.<\/p>\n Classic empty nesters, Sharyn and John\u2019s children have moved out so the couple don\u2019t necessarily need such a big place,\u00a0says Winter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big house, the family space is just not needed. Gardens, maintenance and the like are all attached to the big family house and when it\u2019s not needed do you really want to spend the time and money on looking after your big home?\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n The sitting room come dining area has since morphed into a bright, welcoming hub of the home. Picture: Love It Or List It Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The house is located in\u00a0St Ives, on the Upper North Shore of Sydney, NSW, where the median price for a four-bedroom home like this one is currently $1,930,000.<\/p>\n The couple\u2019s life now is quite different to the amenities this area offers and Winter says they should sell and move elsewhere.<\/p>\n \u201cThe main reason I believe this couple should list their home is actually a combination of all things. The house is too big, too bland and not right for a couple of empty nesters, the location just too suburban and cut off.\u00a0 Who can ignore the pure dollar benefit of a move plus a chance to sell in a booming market?\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Despite its dated interiors, Whitaker says the house has \u201cgood bones\u201d and it\u2019s in a great location.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s funny how so many things from the 70s have a real stigma attached to them. There\u2019s nothing wrong in my book with 70s houses<\/a> \u2013 they are just as adaptable to modern living as houses from any other era. John and Sharyn\u2019s was no exception,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Re-orienting the living areas would make a big difference. Picture: Love It or List It Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The key question with a renovation for this propety is, which features should they retain and which rooms need to be redone?<\/p>\n \u201cJohn and Sharyn\u2019s house has several features typical of 1970s houses. The internal raw brick walls are worth preserving to add character and can be modernised by whitewashing. The things that date the house, like internal arches, would have to be removed,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n The master bedroom should be a haven \u2013 just like this. Picture: Love It or List It Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A refreshed kitchen plus a new look for the living areas would create cleaner, cosier spaces that suit modern lifestyles.<\/p>\n \u201cThe kitchen is basically good and just needs a freshen up. Where I would spend most of the reno budget is in creating two bathrooms (main and ensuite) and giving the couple living areas that they would each call their own.<\/p>\n \u201cThe exterior of the house with its pool and direct access to beautiful bushland is one of the main reasons for \u2018loving\u2019 it. I would just ensure that any renovation establishes a connection between inside and out that had been neglected previously,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Watch\u00a0Love It or List It Australia\u00a0now exclusively on Foxtel\u2019s Lifestyle to see what Sharyn and John did with this home.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n For more Love it or List It Australia videos and expert advice go to\u00a0lifestyle.com.au<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Picture:](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/05092752\/LIOLI_v2-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nList it: Why now is a great time to sell<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/02162238\/StIves_sittingroom01_before.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nLove it: Creating a forever home<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/02162304\/StIves_sittingroom01_after.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/02162333\/StIves_extra04_master.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
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