When Amali and her husband Richard sold their Freshwater unit for $1.3 million—just five days after listing it—they didn’t just celebrate a great result. They celebrated freedom.
After years of dreaming, researching, and working through mindset blocks, Amali finally made the leap from passion renovator to full-time renovator. Her first flip in Sydney’s Northern Beaches earned a $130,000 profit, and more importantly, gave her the confidence to retire and take control of her financial future.
“Renovating is how I express my creativity. But it’s also the path that’s given us financial freedom.”
From “Someday” to “Let’s Go”
Before joining The School of Renovating, Amali and Richard were stuck with a negatively geared investment property on the Central Coast and had no clear strategy. After selling it at a loss, they regrouped, educated themselves, and got serious. With support from Bernadette’s community and expert mentors, they set up a self-managed super fund, aligned their goals, and prepared to buy smart.
They bought a tired, 54m² two-bedroom unit in Freshwater for $1,000,000. Small, beige, and on a busy street, it lacked street appeal—but Amali saw the potential.
Renovation Highlights
With a modest $77,000 budget and a vision of warmth and texture (not more white-on-white), Amali got to work:
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- Installed square-set ceilings to replace popcorn texture
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- Custom bathroom vanity and layout to suit the compact space
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- Hybrid flooring, warm lighting, brushed copper tapware
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- DIY limewash feature wall that mimicked microcement for just $100
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- Facebook Marketplace styling paired with a Samsung Frame TV for wow factor
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- Full renovation in 4 months, on time and budget
Even the styling was strategic: every piece was either sourced second-hand or purchased to use again. Amali created a bespoke, high-end look without breaking the bank.
Selling Strategy That Paid Off
Faced with an unrenovated unit in the same building selling for $1.085 million just days earlier, Amali had to act fast. She listed her unit off-market with a trusted agent, positioned it as a high-end turn-key home, and had three competing buyers within five days.
Sale price: $1.3 million.
Profit: $130,000.
Freedom: Priceless.
Amali’s Top Lessons
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- Be bold with your styling. Go beyond “white and safe” to stand out.
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- Trust the numbers—but back it up with mindset work.
- Trust the numbers—but back it up with mindset work.
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- Have Plan A, B, and C. Be ready to rent, Airbnb, or hold if needed.
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- Source everything smart. Cross-quote trades. Troll Marketplace. Wait for sales.
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- Strata delays are real. Build them into your timeline and budget.
Final Word
This wasn’t a lucky break. It was the result of clear vision, expert education, and relentless execution.
If you’re sitting on a dream to create income and independence through renovating, take it from Amali: it’s possible
