This move-in ready Mount Waverley home in the prized Mount Waverley Secondary College zone sold for $1.21m following a sleek, owner-led renovation.
A Mount Waverley family has revealed how a full renovation and years of love helped them secure a $1.21m sale at auction.
Thushan and Karina Jayawardena bought 7 Dean Ave in 2008 and spent more than a decade gradually updating the home to suit their lifestyle and growing family.
“It was very original when we bought it — carpet, old tiles, laminate floors and creamy paint,” Mr Jayawardena said.
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“We wanted it to feel light and calm — your eyes are drawn out to the garden and trees, not down to the floor.”
They installed European oak flooring, renovated the kitchen and bathroom, updated the lighting, and replaced an old sliding door with bifolds opening to a north-facing deck.
The couple also tackled the landscaping themselves, creating a flat lawn that wraps around the home.
A fresh new look: updated landscaping, timber-decked entry and manicured hedges gave the home instant street appeal.
The original facade of 7 Dean Avenue before its transformation — tired concrete, dated colours and minimal street presence.
“It’s flat, private and green — the perfect space for a young family. Our two kids grew up playing out there,” he said.
The home sits on the high side of a quiet street in a tightly held pocket of Mount Waverley once known for its apple orchards.
It’s within the Mount Waverley Secondary College zone and a short walk from Syndal Station, Valley Reserve and several top local schools.
Mr Jayawardena said they’ve always loved the area.
The updated kitchen features stone benchtops, a mirrored splashback, and high-end appliances for modern family living.
Before the renovation, the kitchen featured laminate benchtops, tired cabinetry and a closed-in layout.
“The neighbours look out for each other, there’s a real community feel — and everything you need is close by,” he said.
Buxton Mount Waverley’s Peter Serafino said the location had played a big part in attracting the eventual buyers — a professional couple hoping to start a family.
“They were really focused on getting into this part of Mount Waverley — close to the station, the village, the schools,” Mr Serafino said.
“This one ticked all the boxes.”
Oak floors and bifold doors create seamless indoor-outdoor flow in the light-filled main living area.
Styled for a young family, this flexible second bedroom works as a nursery, home office or kids’ zone.
Buxton Mount Waverley’s Cameron Tunbridge said the home’s layout and finish appealed to a wide range of buyers.
“It’s essentially a house-sized unit — move-in ready, nothing to do, and a layout that works for downsizers, investors and first-home buyers,” Mr Tunbridge said.
Mr Tunbridge said buyers in the $1.2m–$1.3m bracket were increasingly favouring homes that didn’t require further work.
The main bedroom offers leafy treetop views, a soft neutral palette and pendant lighting for a calm, retreat-like feel.
Owners Thushan and Karina Jayawardena transformed their original home with a minimalist, European-inspired renovation designed for relaxed, modern living.
“People are leaning away from renovation projects. If something’s finished, presented well and in a good location, it’s selling strongly,” he said.
The Jayawardena’s said they plan to stay local, with a new build planned just a few blocks away.
“We’ve loved living here — the schools, the parks, the peace and quiet,” Mr Jayawardena said.
“Hopefully the next owners enjoy it as much as we have.”
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