Case study: Hard work pays off for Ainslie home renovators

Just over 12 months ago Ravi Yalamanchili and Deepika Munnangai bought a dark, cold, boxy, three-bedroom, one bathroom home in Ainslie.

“Its only real bright spot was a beautiful magnolia tree in the front yard,” Ravi says.

The couple decided the bones of the home, its 701-square metre block and a prime inner-city location, could sustain a substantial extension and remodeling.

Deepika, with little previous experience, took on the daunting project management task of transforming the home from its humble roots into a four-bedroom, two living area masterpiece with a detached, self-contained studio.

“We went through about 15 iterations of the design before we reached a plan we were really happy with,” Deepika says.

Construction began in January and by April was substantially completed.

“It was hard work, but I really enjoyed it and learned so much,” Deepika says.

“You have to be prepared to make mistakes, but as long as you stay focused on the big picture, you’ll get there.”

The couple enjoyed the journey so much, they have decided to do it all again in what could be the beginning of a new career for the both of them.

Their house at 4 Mccoll Street is for sale.

PRICE GUIDE: $1.2 million-plus EER: 3.0

AGENTS: Stephen Bunday, LJ Hooker Dickson, 0416 014 431

AUCTION: Saturday, June 17, 10am, on-site