Former ‘rat infested snake pit’ going to auction after glow up

2 days ago 5

The home at 5 Martin Cres, Coconut Grove. Picture: Supplied

A beautifully renovated Coconut Grove home is going under the hammer after being transformed from the worst house on the street into a character-filled stunner.

The dual-living property sits on a fenced 971 sqm block at 5 Martin Cres with pool and gorgeous gardens.

The home was built pre-Tracy, and owners Di Beard and Col Pearson bought the property in 2016.

“It was a rat-infested snake pit,” Ms Beard said.

“We were living in an apartment and we’d go there on weekends to work on the house and we’d find pythons on the driveway.

“The house itself was a time warp.

“It was like walking into your parents’ house in the 60s – there was not just one type of wallpaper, there was about 10.”

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The home before renovations. Picture: realestate.com.au

The property post-reno. Picture: Supplied

The couple overhauled the whole house and surrounded it was lush tropical gardens.

“It’s been a bit of labour of love,” Ms Beard said.

“My husband is a commercial builder and this poor bugger had to work all week and on the weekend we’d renovate.

“But the gardens were all my work.

“I ripped nearly everything out and replaced it.

“The only original trees on the property now are a mango down the back, the frangipani and the poinciana.”

The split-level home has been updated throughout with new kitchen and bathrooms, a modern colour scheme and a fresh feel.

“Everything that was brown has been painted black,” Ms Beard said.

On the lowest level of the home there is a granny flat with open plan kitchen and living area, an office and a bedroom with ensuite and French doors opening to the gardens and a deck the runs along one side of the home.

The updated kitchen has a servery to the back deck. Picture: Supplied

The back deck looks out over the pool and gardens. Picture: Supplied

A semi-elevated porch leads into the main house where there is an open plan living and dining space with timber floors and louvres.

The area flows through the kitchen and onto the back deck.

The modern kitchen has a walk-in pantry, gas cooking and a servery window to the deck.

“The kitchen is my favourite space in the house because I love cooking and entertaining,” Ms Beard said.

A flight of stairs off the living area leads down to the granny flat and up to the top floor, where are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.

All three bedrooms have built-in robes and two have balcony access.

Outside, the back deck looks out over the beautiful landscaping and the in-ground pool with concertina shade sail.

Inside the home before renovations. Picture: realestate.com.au

The living areas are now light and modern. Picture: Supplied

The gardens are well established but also low maintenance and boast a selection of fruiting trees, including mango, coconut, custard apple and banana.

“I wanted a garden where you walk in the gate and the temperature lowers by 3 degrees,” Ms Beard said.

“It’s such a cool relaxing garden.

“It took a lot of work in the beginning but now it’s set and forget.”

The home has a freestanding workshop and storage space, a double carport, solar and remote gate entry.

Mrs Beard said the home had been a perfect place to entertain.

“Its an entertainer’s paradise,” she said.

“There’s all different spaces and every deck is on different level.”