The couple’s budget becomes a challenge for real estate agent Alex van Keulen. “They have 350,000 euros left for a house. If you subtract the construction costs from that, you are left with 275,000 euros. Just look at what is for sale for that amount: that is not much.” The couple’s wish list – a new-build home, a (bubble) bath and 100 square meters – also makes it difficult. “And all this in an area where they both feel at home.”
Hard demand
Alex wouldn’t be Alex if he didn’t immediately set off in good spirits. Everywhere he looks, something is missing. “The biggest dilemma in this quest, believe it or not, is that bath. I have to let go of very nice houses because it is not or is not possible. It’s absurd that you hold on to it like that. That wish really needs to be off the table.”
Jort, however, should not know about that. A bath is a hard requirement. Fortunately for them, they manage to increase the budget by 50,000 euros. With this they give real estate agent Alex more leeway and with success: he finds a fairly new house with a bath. The location? 300 meters away from the old house in Assendelft.
Disappointment
The moment has come: Jort and Merel get to see their new home for the first time. That turns out to be a big disappointment. Jort: “It’s not quite my style and it’s not big. And then the bathroom: no toilet and the bath is way too small. We would never have bought this ourselves. Merel is in tears and has a stomachache.” For her, the location is especially a miss. And that while they themselves had specified this district as their preferred location. “Perhaps we gave the wrong signal in that,” she says to a surprised Martijn Krabbé.
It will be a big challenge for construction expert Bob Sikkes and stylist Roos Reedijk. It’s hard work, but the final result exceeds the couple’s wildest expectations. “It’s so bizarrely beautiful. I never expected this. Weird that it all worked out and that it looks like this now. We are very grateful to you”, thanks Merel the team.
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