WHEN two Sovereign Island families fell in love with each other’s home, they came up with a novel solution – they decided to swap.
Di and Ray Padbury are now happily ensconced in King Arthurs Ct.
Barbara and Kevin Allen are also content a few hundred metres away in Brittanic Cres.
Both couples say they couldn’t be happier with their new abodes.
The tale of two homes began when Di and Ray, who had decided to downsize, spotted the King Arthurs Ct property and decided it was the perfect house for them.
“I looked at it and decided I just had to have it,” said Di.
Meanwhile, Barbara and Kevin had been looking around on the islands for a grand home with character after relocating from Melbourne.
“We saw the house at Brittanic Cres online and there was something about it that attracted us right from the start,” Barbara said.
This is when agent Edin Kara, from Ray White Sovereign Islands, entered the picture.
After discovering the Padburys and the Allens were eyeing off each other’s home, he suggested a swap.
“Edin came and asked if we’d be interested in a trade and we said: `What house?’ ” Di said.
“When he told us, I turned to Ray and said: `This was meant to be’.”
The deal involved a cash sum changing hands but, Mr Kara said, everything quickly fell into place.
When the couples discovered they owned identical dining tables, lamps and coffee tables, it reinforced their belief that the house swap really was destined to be.
“That was quite spooky,” Di said.
“It has all ended up working out perfectly; we are very happy in this house and the Allens are just as happy in our old house about 100m away as the crow flies.”
The Padburys say they are loving the ease of their new, single-level home.
“We were looking to downsize and this is much easier for us to maintain,” Di said.
“I never realised before how much time I spent running up and down stairs.
“I’m sure I’ve gained an extra half an hour a day.
“We had looked at plenty of houses but this one really fitted the bill; we couldn’t be happier.”
For the Allens, they knew the Brittanic Cres home was “the one” as soon as they walked in.
“It just had a really good feeling,” Barbara said.
“We were after a place with character, this has a really unique facade, and we wanted something with more space and a
garden – and this was it.
“The most important thing is we are happy here, Diane and Ray are happy in their new home, and it all worked out perfectly in the end.”
Mr Kara said it was the first time he had been able to negotiate a swap for two couples who fell in love with each other’s home.
“It was a really nice experience to help two families make their dreams come true, and it has had a really happy ending,” he said.
Original article published www.news.com.au by Jenny Rogers Gold Coast Bulletin 19/6/2013