Just how tough House Rules is on a relationship, Ryan Rebbeck, 30, and Marlee Murphy, 26, would be the first to admit. The Adelaide duo went on the show after only six months of living together and afterwards decided to go their separate ways.
‘Before the show, with Ryan working two jobs [as a garbage collector and a paver and fencer, to pay off his $229,000 mortgage], we hardly saw each other. Then after being together 24/7, we needed some time apart, so I went to stay with my parents for a week and a half,’ admits Marlee.
‘We needed some alone time – not having any on the show drove me insane,’ adds Ryan. The couple had their ‑ first fight on screen, ‘It was hard,’ admits Marlee, adding that the bickering between them became too much.
Today, however, the air seems to have cleared, as the duo celebrates their newly renovated house and chats to OK! about their relationship and exactly why travel agent Marlee signed up for the backbreaking business of renovating…
What made you sign up for the show?
Ryan: It was Marlee…
Marlee: He was working himself to the ground and I thought it was about time somebody helped this guy out.
So it’s not your mortgage that’s getting paid off, Marlee?
Taking on half the mortgage, especially when you’re in a fresh relationship, is something that you can really get burnt by. Because I’m not paying off the mortgage I tend to pay for the groceries and all the other bills.
You have to be getting a few nice dinners out of this then, we hope!
Marlee: Nothing yet.
Ryan: She lives in the house – so she gets to enjoy it [the renovations] too! [Laughs]
And what if you decide to sell the house and you make a massive profit, as past House Rules contenders have done?
Ryan: I’m never moving. This house is basically central to my entire life. My mum lives in a suburb on one side, my dad on the other, and all of my friends are in this area. For me, this will always be home.
Are there plans to own this house together further down the track?
Ryan: We’ve discussed it, and in so many words I said that this is my house and I’m going to try and knock the mortgage off on my own. It’s my goal. When Marlee saves up enough money she can buy her own house and do everything on her own as well. I don’t know, it just feels good to be able to do it by yourself.
Marlee: We don’t want to start talking about big commitments when, as a technically single person, he has a lot of responsibility with his own mortgage already. I know life’s not a fairytale and you don’t just have a house straightaway, you build up to these things in a relationship.
How do you manage a relationship while working two jobs, Ryan?
When I first met Marlee I was putting in stupid hours – getting up at 2.50am and working until dark – so we sat down and had a conversation. I told her the hours that I worked and explained that we’d only have two hours a night together. That would be where I came home, had some dinner and we’d watch a movie together, and halfway through the movie I’d fall asleep…
Marlee: It’s like living with a zombie. We would lie in bed watching TV and his eyes would be open, and he would just be staring at the TV. That’s not healthy!
Where did your desire to own your own home come from, Ryan?
It’s always been my dream. My dad has gone through about 50 houses in his life, my mum has her house, my sister has hers, it was something I needed to do. I grew up living with Mum during the week and my dad on weekends; leaving home was a grown-up move.
What does your family think about your ambition to do this on your own?
They’re very supportive. I went through a rough patch a few years ago with all of the pressure that I was putting on myself, and I felt like I was falling behind in my goal.
Would you call it depression?
Yeah, I’m not too sure. But then Marlee came along and helped me out with‑that a lot; my whole family helped.
Were you worried about paying the mortgage while you were on the show?
I was a little bit concerned, but the show gave us an allowance which basically covers the mortgage and a little bit towards the bills as well. I didn’t go bankrupt or anything! [Laughs]
So what’s the plan after House Rules?
Marlee: We’ll sit down and chat about what suits us best and where to go from here.
Ryan: If we win House Rules and have the mortgage paid off, I would focus on starting my own business. I would probably branch out and buy another house and do that one up too. I’d get into the real estate game.
How about marriage and kids; have you spoken about your views on that?
Ryan: It’s not on the cards in the near future. I think you’ve got to be together for a decent amount of time before you spend all that money on getting married.
Marlee: I feel like it’s not the right time. There are still so many things we both want to do. I’m such a free spirit, if I could pack my bags and go live overseas tomorrow I’d do it.
Ryan: As for babies, my sister Hayley is about to give birth in June – it’ll be my first time as an uncle so I’ll see how I go there.
Photographed by Phillip Castleton @ Bauer Media
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