I met a young couple who had just finished a massive renovation project in Gawler South. Six months ago, it was a disaster. Peeling paint. Weeds were everywhere. People inspected it and walked straight out. They saw stress. This couple saw potential. that local real estate is solid. They knew that under the dirt, was a beautiful home. So they bought it at a low entry point. They started renovating.
It is tough work. It is not like on TV. There is mess. Long weekends. Money runs out. If you are smart, it is a proven method to make money in the market. You create value. You don't hope. You create the growth. This example is proof the potential in the gawler real estate market.
I helped them through the process. I didn't paint, with strategy. "Don't spend money there," I advised. "Spend money here," was my tip. Spending wisely is the secret to making money. Spending foolishly means you lose. You must understand what adds value in Gawler. That is my value.
The Ugly Duckling On The Street
It was dated. It was smelly. The kitchen was orange. The tiles were retro. It was the cheap one in the neighbourhood. That is the golden rule: purchase the dump in a prime spot. Because the land value supports the investment. You can paint walls; location is forever.
They bought it for low $400s. Finished properties in the same street were worth mid $600s. The spread was huge. It took cash. A lot of work. Structural cracks. More than paint. They did due diligence. The bones were good. They went ahead.
The average buyer wants easy. They hate work. They spend more for someone else's hard work. If you can to renovate, you get that money. The market pays you for the inconvenience. That is the business. Renovate and sell.
Where The Money Was Spent
They planned to spend a tight amount. That is small to do everything. Clever spending was needed. They ripped out carpets personally. That kept costs down. They did the painting on their own. Painters are expensive. Doing it yourself saves thousands.
Cash went on key rooms. The money rooms. Updated the kitchen with nice tops. It looked high-end but cost $12,000. They re-tiled the bathroom fresh and clean. Restored the wood. Beneath the rugs was timber. Polishing them transformed the house.
No structural changes. Extensions are expensive. Used existing layout. This is smart flipping. Visual changes make the most money. Rendering the front adds street appeal inexpensively. Extensions is expensive. Keep it simple.
Watching The Changes Happen
Over two months, they worked every night. People saw the trade utes. Changes happened fast. The old front was painted grey. The jungle garden became tidy. Mulch and plants fixed the curb appeal. First impressions count. It gets buyers through the door.
The interior, it became light and bright. Light colours make small rooms feel big. Stay neutral when flipping. The goal is to the widest market. Blank canvas allows them to imagine their furniture. The wood added warmth. It was stunning inside an old shell.
I dropped in every few weeks. I offered tips. "Update lighting," was my advice. Dark rooms don't sell. They put in downlights. It was bright. It was ready. Budget: On track. Speed: Fast.
Marketing A Freshly Renovated Home
We hit the market. We styled it. Empty houses echo. Furniture shows scale. For a small fee, but made the photos pop. Images were great. Landlords were interested too it was tax depreciation ready. Owner occupiers were the goal.
The headline was: "Nothing To Do But Move In." That sells. Opening day was packed. A huge crowd. Everyone looked to see the change. Real bidders showed up. They loved the finish.
We had a bidding war by Monday. The feedback was amazing. "It is so light." Nobody cared about the past. The focus was on the future. This is the power of presentation.
The Final Auction Result
We closed the deal in the mid $600s. Check the numbers. Bought: $420,000. Reno: $60k. Expenses: $25k. Break even: $500k. Result: $635k. Profit: $132,000. For 9 weeks work. That is $14,000 per week. That is why people flip.
Not every flip works. If you pay too much at the start kills the profit. If you spend too much eats the profit. But if you buy right and renovate smart, you win. In Gawler, you can do this. Find the diamond.
If you are looking for a project, tell me. I list the wrecks. I can tell you if the numbers stack up. Don't guess. I like flipping. Start your journey. Contact me.
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