Can you still buy a place and ‘flip it’ in Rockhampton?

Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast have been hotspots over recent years for ‘flipping’, where buyers and investors purchase an older home, renovate and sell for profit. 

There has been no shortage of character-filled homes and classic Queenslanders in need of TLC and this has definitely been capitalised on. However, now that this trend has been in action for a few years, it’s easy to wonder if the ‘renovate for profit’ ship has sailed.

From our perspective, this is not the case. There are still so many opportunities to buy and renovate in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and nearby areas; you just need to be quick and market savvy.  

What makes a great ‘flip’?

If you’re planning to buy, renovate and resell in Rockhampton or on the Capricorn Coast, keep an eye out for houses with these features:

• Good bones – Look for homes that need cosmetic upgrades rather than structural overhauls (as we like to say, it needs Botox, not a hip replacement).

• Character details – Original features like wraparound verandahs, vertical join (VJ) walls, high ceilings, stained glass windows and plantation shutters never go out of style.

• Prime location – Stick with proven suburbs that are close to amenities and offer good resale potential.

• Dual living potential – Homes with a downstairs area built to legal height offer great flexibility for families or investors because they give you the chance to add a separate apartment. You may also decide to divide a larger Queenslander into two or even more self-contained units, which can have great potential for resale. 

• Above the floodline – Flood zones are a reality in Rocky, so make sure you do your due diligence before signing on the dotted line.

• Great views – If you can find an older home with a view, renovating will put the icing on the cake and make it easier to sell down the track.

• The potential to add an outdoor area - having a spacious deck our outdoor kitchen improves appeal and resell value.

Find an older home, upgrade the floorplan for more open-plan style living, redo the kitchen and bathrooms, add ensuites and built-in robes, install new air-conditioning units and freshen up the outside for curb appeal, and you’ll be on track to make a decent profit. 

You can find more on renovating heritage homes like Queenslanders in this guide, and learn what counts as a true second storey here.

Do the numbers before you pick up the tools

Before you dive into buying a home and fixing it up, you need to have your figures sorted:

• Know your buying budget
• Set a realistic amount for renovations and repairs
• Decide whether you will make the upgrades yourself or employ a team
• Estimate your resale value (your Rockhampton real estate agent can help)
• Understand local council requirements, especially if the property has heritage elements or dual living plans, as you may not be able to make the changes you were counting on

A well-executed upgrade to a Queenslander or older home maintains charm while adding modern comfort and functionality. This will attract strong competition at sale time, but if you want to make a good profit, you need to do your homework first.

Looking for a fixer-upper in Rockhampton?

If you want to buy and renovate, be mindful that the best properties don’t stay on the market long (and some don’t even make it to market at all). 

Once you have done your initial research, reach out to our team at The Agency CQ. Let us know your budget and what you have in mind, and we can give you a heads-up when there is a potential place coming up.