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Manurewa
From Deffered Maintenance to Market Appeal
When I first walked through this property, it was clear the house had seen better days. But beneath the peeling paint and years of deferred maintenance, I could see timeless character and the potential to transform it into something special. More importantly, I saw an opportunity to take a tired two-bedroom house and reimagine it as a functional three-bedroom home.
This project wasn’t one I did alone, it was completed in partnership with a JV investor who shared the vision. Together, we turned challenges into opportunities and created a standout result.
Why This Property?
The charm of the home was still there, but it was buried under years of neglect. What appealed to me most was the ability to add a third bedroom, a change that would significantly increase both livability and value. It was the kind of property others might have dismissed as “too hard,” but I knew the right approach could unlock its potential.
The Challenges
Every project has a moment where things don’t go to plan. For us, it came when the electrician explained he couldn’t rewire the house, the flat roof provided no ceiling space. The solution? Lowering the ceilings. Because the original ceilings were higher than normal, this gave us the room to run new wiring without compromising the feel of the home.
Another challenge was balancing the old with the new. Initially, we hoped to retain some of the home’s original character features, but as the renovation progressed, they looked increasingly tired alongside the fresh work. In the end, we made the call to replace them. It was the right decision, the result was a seamless, modern finish that buyers loved.
The Transformation
The standout moment came when we relocated the kitchen. By moving it to a different part of the house, we created a stunning, sunny kitchen and dining space that instantly became the heart of the home.
What was once dark and dated became bright, functional, and welcoming. Alongside the additional bedroom, this change transformed not just the layout, but the lifestyle the property offered.
This project is a perfect example of how I work with JV partners:
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A clear, well-planned strategy
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Strong returns driven by smart renovations and design choices
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Allowing each partner to work to their strengths
When challenges arise, they were solved, protecting both the budget and the investment.
If you’d like to explore being part of future projects like this one, I’d love to chat. Together, we can transform more homes and create strong results along the way.
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