my first idea would be to add a new master suite and living area above the garage, rearrange kitchen and dining and convert old entertaining area to a step down family room and add a new alfresco OR so many other options that depend on how many bedrooms, bathrooms and living area you need and the ages and any disabilities of the people who will live in the house or stay overnight on a regular basis...another option could be a granny flat style addition in the backyard linked by the new alfresco but, a similar whole house reno with new roof, new windows, new bathrooms and kitchen cost us over $450,000 more than 5 years ago but your proposed new house looks like it could be in clean habitable condition and renovated over time but, i would be worried about the safety of both the concrete floor and rail height of the balcony and unless you can see yourselves squeezing out to regularly stand on the narrow balcony it would probably be more cost effective to remove the old balcony and add a new front porch instead ...but, options always depend on best purchase price and builders reports about any major issues with the structure.. subject to confirmed dimensions maybe something like this?

dreamer the photos are in the real estate add in the original post

Thank so much oklouise!
Great idea. Yes the balcony is a little concern but we will get fixed. Between us, we have 5 kids half the time. Brady bunch stuff.
So we are thinking not too big and not too small!
Above the garage is great.
This place is a bargain for where it is.
I guess the decision is buy at premium exactly how we need it or buy the bargain and fix up.
We could potentially stage the Reno, tidy up the existing and fix the downstairs first, then maybe go up with an additional bedroom.

What do people think of sunrooms etc as music rooms, informal sitting rooms??

What do you mean by sunroom? Do you mean something no fully insulated? Musical instruments like climate control.
Get a builder in to quote on your ideas and then see if costs stack up, It has great location, orientation and views.

Hi Kate!
Yes, fully insulated, cosy bonus room I guess.
Thank you. Will do

with such a great backyard, a crowd of kids and music interests i'd be inclined to consider a studio/rumpus room out the back garden and/or use the garage space and leave the cars outside (keeping in mind that kids will eventually grow up and want their own homes so think about your own long term needs first otherwise you end up with a house with too many rooms that area rarely used

The photos are not on my iPad so I will take your word for it. It is not showing any real estate ad.

dreamer, click on Kay’s name and you’ll see her other post with the plan etc.

If this is the same house as the plan from aug 2020, suddenly oklouise has made it into a double storey home!!
Still no luck on my iPad......doesn’t matter anyway, others have given their expert comments.

it was always a 2 story house check the original real estate add 30 Barbara Cres Avondale Heights Vic

It doesn’t matter oklouise. I took big readers instructions and clicked on Kat name and looked at her previous post of a plan.
This is from aug 2020 and defiantly not what you have just posted. As I said it doesn’t matter.🙂

Thanks oklouise,
Yes striking a balance is necessary because our family is blended, so the kids come and go, three kids 4 days a fortnight, 5 kids four days a fortnight, 2 kids four days a fortnight no kids two days!

Kat, that is definitely a kid juggle. You might hang out for the no kid days.

We already do!

But space wise it means the place can’t be too big or too cramped

Kind of more 70-80s vibe than the actual 60-70s Brady Bunch house - but hey, I see a big spacious house with room for everyone there. Could put on a nice Carol-esq pantsuit or a Mike-like loud shirt with big lapels & just hang out with the family. Skip the reno & take a holiday to Hawaii instead ;) Plenty of time to downsize later when the brood is grown.

Seriously, lots of space for all with nice views too. Good luck if you go ahead.