Georgetown front facade property overview

Unlocking $100K in Georgetown: A $27K Reno That Hacked the Market

Step One in Your Equity Journey - Why a $27K Reno Now Beats Waiting for More Cash

C.A.R.E StrategyNewcastle Region

Project Snapshot

Property 2 bed, 1.5 bath, 1 car
Project Length 4 Months
Type of work Cosmetic + Functional
Purchase Price $670k
Reno Investment $27k
Sale Price $770k
Equity Gained $100k

Quick Snapshot

A Sydney-sider, priced out of their home market, trusted us to find, renovate, and sell their first Newcastle home. Using our C.A.R.E.™ Strategy, we secured a $670K cottage and orchestrated a $27K renovation-guided by our Upside Advisory™, with the owner completing much of the work (saving lots). Sold it for just shy of $800K, unlocking $100K in equity to fast-track their next move.

Meet the Client

Tom (name changed), a young Sydney professional, was priced out of Sydney’s market, where his budget could only afford a studio. Dreaming of building wealth through property, he turned to Newcastle’s market, seeking a strategic first home in a sought-after suburb. With his life savings on the line, Tom needed expert guidance to navigate a hot market and maximize value on a tight budget.

The Challenge

The Georgetown cottage we secured was a gem with fantastic bones but dated and cramped, sitting on one of the smallest blocks imaginable. Worn pile carpet, an outdated kitchen, and a lackluster backyard risked limiting its sale price in Georgetown’s tightly held market. Overcapitalizing on renovations could derail Tom’s plans to fund his next home, so precision was key.

Before & After Gallery

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My Strategy

At JORIS, we blended emotional support with our C.A.R.E.™ Strategy and Upside Advisory™ formula to deliver results:

  • Personal Support: Guided Tom with clear, friendly advice, easing his nerves as a first-time buyer and later seller in a competitive market.

  • Market Insight: Leveraged Georgetown’s demand for unique, move-in-ready homes to select a cottage with high potential despite its tiny size.

  • Targeted Plan: Applied the 80/20 rule, focusing on high-impact, low-cost renovations to create lifestyle appeal and maximize the floor plan without overcapitalizing.

What We Did

  • Purchase: Discovered and secured the cottage off-market for $670K amidst a heated bidding war with six buyers, using our C.A.R.E.™ Strategy to negotiate the “worst house in the best location” as Tom’s stepping stone.

  • Renovation ($27K): Invested $27K over 16 weeks in cosmetic upgrades (client was hands on), including opening a wall between the kitchen and living area, reviving a chimney for character, installing a modern kitchen with second-hand cabinetry and new benchtops, replacing pile carpet with sanded floors, landscaping a low-maintenance backyard with an outdoor entertaining area, and adding high doors to enhance tall ceilings for a luxe feel.

  • Staging & Marketing: Months later Staged the home to highlight its cozy, modern vibe, emphasizing proximity to Georgetown’s cafes and Newcastle CBD (3km). Our vendor advocacy and targeted campaign attracted first-home buyers and single professionals, leading to a great sale for just shy of $800K, $100K above pre-renovation value (370% return on renovation investment).

Project Gallery

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"JORIS locked in the deal. As my Buying Agent he found the right property. His Upside Advisory let me tackle the reno myself, no guesswork. Then I naturally used the Vendor Advocacy to sell it at top dollar. A solid first move. Next stop: a bigger project. Don’t hesitate, just get started."

Tom - 2025