Melbourne builder reveals key reno tips to attract buyers this spring

Melanie Weddell and Michael Davis are selling the home where they’ve raised son William, 1.5 years, and that they’ve exhaustively renovated. Picture: Tony Gough. Sky high building costs and a protracted cost-of-living crisis have combined to make fully renovated homes among Melbourne’s hottest properties this spring. For Mel Weddell and partner Michael Davis, who is a builder, upgrading their 2 Alvena St, Mentone, weatherboard has led to dozens of prospective buyers inspecting it each open ahead of a September 12 auction. Their renovation was exhaustive, with only one of the interior walls still in its original place after they extended at the rear, relocated the kitchen and the bathroom, and installed an extra powder room. RELATED: Melbourne’s ultimate spring real estate guide $270m solve for Melb’s work-from-home woes Melbourne house prices to surge in five key areas post-election The floorplan flip means their living areas now open out to the home’s north-facing rear yard and get more natural light, and effectively created an extra living zone by adding a deck with a barbecue area, and about a quarter of the back garden now green space and a veggie patch. “We also added three la...