At home with Matt Tilley

Matt Tilley loves everything about his home, soil aside.

Matt Tilley presents Nova 100’s Mornings with Matt Tilley (weekdays, 9am-noon)

Where do you live?

In Hampton. We moved here because I love riding on Beach Rd and my teenage kids love seeing me in Lycra. Not.

What property do you own?

Our Hampton house and we are lucky enough to have a little escape on the Mornington Peninsula. I spend most summers growing tomatoes down there. I hope to end my days like the final scene in The Godfather, collapsing into a big bush of ripening romas.

What do you love most about your home?

It’s filled with light and revolves around the kitchen. My wife, Susie, loves to cook and I love to complain about having eaten too much, so we are a perfect match. I also love the fact we have an open fire for Friday night footy.

One thing you’d change?

This sounds crazy, but because we’re in a sandbelt suburb, the soil around here is terrible and makes it very hard to grow anything. I would also love it if the windows could clean themselves — I hear there is glass that actually does that now.

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The most memorable home you’ve lived in?

A share house in Carlton, just off the main part of Lygon St. It had four bedrooms but only three power points for the entire house. The shower was outdoors over a slab of concrete and none of the windows on to the street locked. We kept warm in winter by lighting a fire in a shopping trolley in the backyard (unless the shower was on).

Your first foot on the property ladder?

I bought a dingy terrace house in Fitzroy that needed the lights on all day to see inside. I put in a Velux (skylight) window to let in some light, and the builder fell through the ceiling when installing it. My housemate’s expensive suits cushioned his fall.

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Are you a keen or reluctant property buyer?

Reluctant. I hate moving and I think a house becomes more of a home every year you spend in it. I would be happy to never buy again. We have lots of happy memories at this place.

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Best property advice you’ve heard?

There are no sneaky “bargains” that no one else knows about. Work out what you can afford and look at houses priced below that.

Worst property advice you’ve heard?

Use whatever equity you have in your home to buy more property.

Any tips for homebuyers?

If you’re buying at auction, always try and lower the bid amounts. You never know when other people will reach their limit and you’d hate to pay more than you need to. People who throw in a “Hail Mary bid” (high knockout bid) just to intimidate others are crazy, I reckon.

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