Interiors expert Wendy Moore reports on Selling Houses Australia Season 16
I feel so lucky to have joined such a loved show as Selling Houses Australia on Foxtel’s The Lifestyle Channel, and I think we are all just so thankful (and relieved) that it’s still so popular even after having such big changes with the host line up. Landscaper Dennis Scott and I were very nervous about it, so I think we feel how lucky we are every day.
What you can expect to see on Season 16 of Selling Houses Australia
I feel like Dennis and I really hit our stride this season – with this being our third season on the show, we have a really good rhythm, we know each other and Andrew Winter so well now, we have a kind of short hand on what we need to do. And boy have we needed that! Andrew has found some pretty challenging homes for us! From the tiniest property we have ever had to face, to some huge homes, with huge issues – floor plans that just don’t work, tiny budgets and homeowners who need help so badly we really want to give it our all to make sure the property sells.
Each year we go to a place at least one of us has never been before and it’s a great adventure to not just see the places, but get to know the people who live in them. It’s one of the things I love about the show. I have always loved travel and now I get to combine my passions for travel and design!
Wendy Moore’s most memorable makeovers in Season 16
There really are so many memorable homes – all for completely different reasons. This season I have fulfilled a bit of a design dream to renovate an old church, its a stunning building with so much character, and I think both Dennis and I fell in love with it. And I was also able to renovate a ‘home’ that sits on wheels! That was fun!
I think the variations in properties means that there are so many things to love, we were really keen to continue to create as many different styles and looks as possible – which I love. Big, old family homes, tiny mobile homes and converted churches made this a really fun (and challenging) year. Along with the tiniest home and budget, we also had the biggest budget every – which was daunting for this market, so we had to think about every dollar. I also think the smaller budgets and creative ways we found to stretch the money will help inspire people to make their own changes – that’s my hope!
Heroic homeowners and challenges on Selling Houses Australia
I love all of our homeowners, we spend so much time with them and really get to know both them and their life stories, it creates a connection, and often we stay in touch. Dennis is a huge softie, he keeps in touch with so many people, they all just fall in love with him! We both really wanted the best for the owner of the old church, as well as Macca from the Sunshine Coast, I had a huge soft spot for the owners of the property in West Brunswick – but really, it's impossible to pick a favourite!
Cost of living and just the feeling of financial instability was probably the biggest challenge this year. We wanted to be so careful that we didn’t overcapitalise on the renovations. Last year's property market was really challenging, so we wanted to make sure we got the absolute best outcome for our homeowners.
Dennis and I both had to get on the tools more, in order to keep the costs down (of course, Andrew continued to keep his hands beautifully clean and soft – never fear!). So I was getting creative with ideas and then working with the team to build them ourselves, I actually loved the increased grunt work. Dennis always works hard though!
The hosting team of Andrew Winter, Dennis Scott and Wendy Moore on Selling Houses Australia
We are genuinely really close friends, we spend a lot of time together, and under all that ribbing, we have a huge affection for each other. I have so much respect for Dennis, he is an incredibly hard worker, but he is also fair and honest and I absolutely know he has my back. He is a huge softie – and honestly, he would give you the shirt off his back. Andrew, for all of his bad jokes, he does really give us great feedback and always calls to chat about a reno once he has seen it. I love how passionate he is, after all these years, he just still really loves everything about real estate. We regularly catch up for dinner while we are filming and I love it.
Don’t miss season 16 of Selling Houses Australia
For me, I think this season is our best work, from probably the biggest, most luxurious kitchen we have ever done, to the smallest, most innovative mobile home – I had so much fun with that one! But, really, I think our church is the one that will win everyone’s hearts – so definitely tune in for that one.
