Good afternoon We are first home buyers and looking for a place Brisbane southside that has good access to freeway and reasonbale public transport distance to Cav Rd High. We love the look of this place and its location, and it appears to be within out budget (700k maximum). But we had a look on Saturday, and the kitchen/dining area is so small as to be almost unworkable. We wondered if someone with a bit of an eye for it can give an opinion on whether an extension of the deck and kitchen areas would be feasible? We'd probably want to put internal stairs in too. Not a lot of photos unfortunately: https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-coopers+plains-136660078 Much appreciated.
The deck doesn’t look like it’s under the orginal roof line (I think. It’s a bit hard to see from the photos). Don’t see why you couldn’t extend but it would be a bit of a job - not as simple as filling in the current deck. I think you’d need to rip the deck off and do a proper extension.
It looks like extensions already taken place. Is there an opportunity to extend underneath and pinch a bedroom upstairs? Maybe look for a property that is yet to be improved? Good luck!!
Yes, I suspect that would be the case. It might be a bridge too far for a first purchase. Mind you…we are in it for the long haul, not wanting to move again for 20 years minimum. And we love the location. Thanks
The positioning of the bathroom upstairs would probably prevent being able to pinch a bedroom, otherwise extending underneath for more accommodation would be good. anyway, I have plunged forward and made a super low offer, if that’s accepted I’ll make the contract subject to getting some professional renovation advice and quotes. Thanks for your input
I had another look at the ad - is downstairs legal height? You could turn the garage and MPR into two bedrooms and a bathroom down the track, one of the beds upstairs into a dining, and combine the other two bedrooms to be a master with WIR, making the existing bathroom an en-suite. As a first home buyer you do need to make some compromises and rarely get exactly what you want. The location is great and huge, flat block. Until you can afford the big reno, spend $10k putting in an ikea kitchen (don’t change the plumbing etc) and extend the cupboards into the dining room - this will make the whole house seem brighter and be a lot more functional with a larger kitchen. Then just eat your meals outside on that nice deck or sitting on the couch
Take a look at the kitchen our son did in a similar house by removing one wall (post #4). Fixing odd shaped/separate kitchen floorplan
No real problem other than just very unsure of what things are possible, or what they might cost. And whilst we are first home buyers, the plan is that this will be a 20 year plus residence. The smaller living area won't be such a problem in 6-7 years when both kids are (probably..) gone
Some great ideas there, many thanks. I hope to inspect alongside a builder soon to thrash out some ideas. If we could purchase for under $600k we'd be quite happy to spend up to $100k immediately, but I just don't know how far that goes.
Hello again. Still considering the Coopers Plains place, but running out of time. Was hoping someone with recent involvement in a large renovation might know a realistic timeframe to have a big extension done by a reputable builder? I am aware there is high demand and materials shortages. We would be sorely tempted if we thought we could have work done before Christmas. I am also assuming/hoping a major extension of the upstairs might be achieved for under $150k
