Christina and Luke

HOW I ALMOST REJECTED CHRISTINA AND LUKE

(AND WHY I’M SO GLAD I DIDN’T)

It all started with a honeymoon, a carpark and a very well-timed masterclass.

Yep, you read that right.

Meet Christina and Luke.

Christina and Luke are the kind of couple you just want to be friends with. She’s a bright, bubbly primary teacher with a ‘leave-it-with-me’ attitude, and he’s the chillest guy around who lives and breathes basketball.

They tied the knot in September 2023 and jetted off on a honeymoon a few months later.

When they returned in May 2024, they got the exciting news that their block of land, which they’d purchased all the way back in 2021, was finally ready to build on.

Fun fact: their block was originally a carpark for a display village. They’d bought it on a leaseback deal, which meant the developer paid them rent until all the surrounding blocks were sold and the sales office shut down. So while the carpark was still in action, Christina and Luke were quietly dreaming up their forever home… and watching our Instagram.

We met at a masterclass...

Rewind to 2021, which is the same year they bought the land, and Christina came along to the very first masterclass I ever ran. It was the night I officially launched The Home Chaperone.

From that point on, she and Luke became low-key loyal followers. They watched our business grow, soaked up all the tips and waited patiently as their land sat on standby.

Fast forward to the day I announced our Exclusive Home Building Collaboration with La Vida Homes, and bam! My inbox pinged with Christina’s application. She didn’t muck around. I called her, and honestly? It felt like catching up with a long-lost friend.

But Something Didn’t Quite Add Up…

As we started chatting and getting to know each other, Christina sent me a few floor plans and quotes she’d already collected from other builders. She’d clearly been doing her homework and to be fair, some of the designs were faaaancy. Like, seriously high-end.

But as I dug a little deeper, something just didn’t feel right.

The level of specification didn’t seem to match the budget she’d mentioned. Don’t get me wrong, they had a strong budget with some breathing room. But the quotes she’d received felt like they were setting her up for a harsh reality check later down the track.

Either way, I started wondering if maybe they’d be better off with a custom builder who regularly works with higher-end finishes and larger budgets. I didn’t want to waste their time or get their hopes up if La Vida wasn’t going to be able to deliver what they had in mind. La Vida Homes builds beautiful, mid-range family homes, and they’re amazing at what they do, but the designs Christina had shown me involved some pretty complex construction methods that aren’t their usual jam.

So I made the tough call and rang Christina to let her know I wasn’t sure we were the right fit but then came the twist I didn't expect...

At first, Christina was crushed. She’d had her heart set on working one-on-one with me and being part of the Exclusive Building Experience. I could hear the emotion in her voice. She was getting choked up, and honestly, it hit me harder than I expected.

As we spoke, she opened up about her first build. About how she’d done it on her own and often felt dismissed purely because she was a young woman. She’d never truly felt heard and that experience had stuck with her. This time, she wanted it to be different. She wanted someone in her corner. Someone who’d listen, guide her properly, and make the process feel exciting.

That’s when it clicked.

This wasn’t just about choosing a builder. It was about feeling empowered and supported.

It was about building with confidence.

And suddenly, the bigger budget didn’t matter as much. What mattered was finding the right fit. Not just on paper, but in real life.

Christina was determined and didn't take no for an answer.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Christina, it’s that she’s determined and a total go-getter (I adore this about her!!). After our call, she came back strong, saying she was still set on building with La Vida. She’d done her homework and was confident they were the perfect fit for them.

So, I decided to really listen and dig a little deeper. I wanted to get a clearer picture of where their budget really stood and understand their wishlist inside and out.

The Perfect Match

We jumped on a free clarity call, and it didn’t take long for me to realise that Christina and Luke were exactly who this collab was made for. They wanted someone by their side every step of the way: a trusty sidekick to guide them through each stage. That’s exactly what The Exclusive Home Building Experience is all about. I'm a personal building advocate, making sure my clients always feel supported at every stage.

After the clarity call, I felt excited.

And just like that, I realised we were the perfect match after all.

Hey! I'm Jess

With 16 years in the building industry, I use my experience to help clients avoid pitfalls and make smarter decisions every step of the way. If you want to know more about the Exclusive Home Building Experience, click the link below.

LEARN MORE

So, we went back to the very beginning because every successful build starts with one thing: finance.

Bored already? I get it.

When you’re building your dream home, it’s easy to jump ahead to the fun stuff like floor plans, mood boards and tile inspo. But before you go Pinterest wild, it’s important to talk numbers. Because falling in love with a design that’s way over budget? That’s a heartbreak no one needs.

Before Christina and Luke moved forward, we teamed them up with one of our faves: Gioia from Oui Finance. She’s my go-to Finance Broker and absolute gold when it comes to demystifying finance.

She’s not tied to any banks, which means she works for you, not them. She compares lenders, explains your options in plain English, and sorts out all the paperwork, all without charging you a cent. No pressure. No hidden fees. Just good advice and even better service.

With Gioia’s help, Christina and Luke locked in their budget with total clarity and then we could get to the exciting part: Their wishlist!

The Wishlist

Want to know the secret to getting better quotes, faster?

A clear, prioritised wishlist.

When Christina and Luke first came to me, they had loads of ideas but it was all floating around in their heads. So I grabbed a pen, and we brain-dumped everything into a list. Then we ranked them in order of priority and circled the non-negotiables.

Their non-negotiables were:

A floor plan that made the most of their uniquely shaped block and northern light
High ceilings and open-plan living for big family dinners
A games room and a home theatre
Large open showers with no glass to clean
A drop zone near the garage
A laundry that’s also close to the garage. Perfect for Luke’s post-adventure cleanups

Customising a Home They Absolutely Love

Once we had their wishlist locked in and budget sorted, we found a standard La Vida home design that ticked most of the boxes and then we super-sized it. We added lots of area to the house to make space for the big family parties they planned on hosting. We worked closely with the team to customise and tweak it to suit exactly what they loved.

Things didn’t move quickly but that was totally fine. Christina and Luke weren’t in a rush. Their living situation was comfortable, and they had a “do it once, do it right” mindset. Plus, they’re both super busy humans, so we worked around their schedule and took our time perfecting the design.

When the Wishlist and Dreams Align

The end result? A home they’re absolutely in love with, designed around their lifestyle, their family, and yes… those massive Christmas parties they’re already dreaming up (they’re obsessed with Christmas, and honestly, I love that about them).

Long story short, after diving into their finances and wishlist, it became clear that Christina and Luke were actually a perfect fit for La Vida. Even better, they had some extra wiggle room to splurge on those gorgeous internal finishes they’d been dreaming about.

So, they made the decision to sign up and build with La Vida.

They signed a preliminary contract and the only real challenge was keeping up with La Vida’s lightning-fast timeframes. When land is titled and ready to go, like theirs was, La Vida moves really quickly. But Christina and Luke wanted to take their time, carefully considering every single detail to make sure their home was just right. After all, they’re both super busy people working full time, and this was a do it once, do it right kind of build.

Here’s How it Unfolded:

15th July 2024 – Signed Preliminary Agreement
1st August 2024 – Building Contracts Issued and Ready for Signing
24th October 2024 – Prestart Meeting
21st March 2025 – Officially Ready for Construction
8th April 2025 – Scheduling Complete and Materials Preordered
1st May 2025 – Siteworks Commenced
27th May 2025 – Slab Down
29th May 2025 – Brick Delivery

Right now, Christina and Luke are deep into the construction phase and the walls are going up.

The best part?

Luke’s dad is the bricklayer on their home… and Luke himself took annual leave from his normal day job to be his Dad’s labourer. Yep, he’s literally helping build his own home alongside his dad. How special is that?

They’re moving steadily making sure every detail is spot on. After all, this is their forever home and they want it to be perfect.

Why I’m So Glad I Didn’t Say No

Honestly, I came this close to saying no to Christina and Luke but I’m so glad I didn’t. Building a home isn’t just about budgets or floor plans. It’s about real people, real stories, and finding that perfect fit. And these two? I absolutely love them. We’ve spent so much time together that we’ve basically become friends.

Christina’s drive and Luke’s laid-back vibe showed me this was way more than just a collaboration. They reminded me that sometimes it’s less about the house itself, and more about the people who fill it. Watching their dream home come to life now feels like I’m part of something truly special.

So yeah, we’re not just client and The Home Chaperone anymore. We’re friends. And I can’t wait to see their home finished.

If you’re ready to stop stressing and start building your dream home with someone who really gets you, maybe it’s time we had a chat too.

Because friends don’t let friends build alone.

HERE'S WHAT CHRISTINA AND LUKE HAD TO SAY:

“A Dream-Maker in Action! Working with Jess has been nothing short of magical! From the very first meeting, she listened intently to every detail on our wish list and approached our home-building plans with genuine care, creativity, and professionalism. Her ability to take our ideas and turn them into a beautiful, functional vision has exceeded all expectations. She’s not just checking boxes she’s curating a space that truly feels like us. Every suggestion she makes is thoughtful and intentional, and her attention to detail is unmatched. We feel completely confident knowing she’s guiding us through this journey with such dedication and expertise. We couldn’t imagine doing this without her. If you're thinking of building a home and want someone who brings heart, insight, and real talent to the table, look no further. This is the kind of magic every home project deserves!”

Stay Tuned...

We’ll be keeping you in the loop every step of the way as Christina and Luke's dream home comes to life onsite. I’ll be right there beside them as their building sidekick, helping them make decisions, avoid the overwhelm, and keep things moving smoothly. From big milestones to those little wins that make the journey so special, you’ll get a front-row seat to it all. Stay tuned.

Ready to Build Your Dream Home Without the Stress?

Christina and Luke’s story shows that building your forever home isn’t just about plans and budgets. It’s about having the right support, clear guidance and someone who truly gets you.

If you want a fun, easy and stress free build, the Exclusive Home Building Collaboration with La Vida Homes is designed for you. This isn’t your average building experience. It’s a personalised, hands-on partnership where we help you:

Get crystal clear on your budget with expert finance advice
Create a wishlist that prioritises what truly matters to your family
Navigate the building process with confidence and ease
Take your time to get every detail just right, without pressure
Enjoy a supportive team that has your back every step of the way

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EXLUSIVE HOME BUILDING EXPERIENCE?

Click the link below or fill in the form to book a free clarity call.