Holly Docherty and Angie Lonergan are best friends who nurse and nanny by day, but spend their free time flipping homes. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
THEY describe themselves as two gals from the Brisbane ‘burbs flipping one shack at a time with a pink hammer in hand.
When they are not working full-time as a nanny and a nurse, best friends Holly Docherty and Angie Lonergan are immersing themselves in renovation chaos.
BEFORE: The kitchen in the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: The kitchen after the renovation.
AFTER: The kitchen at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
Their latest project is a post-war house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, to which they have
added a fourth bedroom, a second bathroom, second living area and a double garage.
They gutted the original bathroom and installed a new one, opened up the enclosed back deck and did the landscaping themselves — even the turf!
“It was a nightmare, but we got there with a little help from family and friends,” Miss Lonergan said.
“It’s just heavy and dirty.”
It’s the third time they’ve done a renovation — having flipped two other properties in the same suburb.
BEFORE: The back of the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: The back of the house after the renovation, with an extension.
The girls do most of the work themselves while living onsite, having learned how to use a drop saw and a drill watching YouTube.
“We get professionals in to do the cabinet making, tiling, electical and plumbing,” Miss Docherty said.
“We do the nitty gritty stuff — we have a fair few tools believe it or not!” Miss Lonergan said.
“We do all the painting — exterior and interior.”
BEFORE: The front of the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: The front of the house after the renovation.
AFTER: The front of the house after the renovation.
AFTER: The front of the house at Wavell Heights after the renovation. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
Their first two property sales netted them more than $200,000 in profit.
“We’ve spent a lot of it on holidays!” Miss Docherty said.
Not bad for two girls who didn’t even consider property flipping until they were both rejected for a home loan.
They decided to combine their deposits and incomes and found themselves getting approval to buy their first property together in 2015.
BEFORE: The main bathroom in the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: Details of the shower after the renovation.
AFTER: The ensuite in the main bedroom after the renovation.
AFTER: The main bathroom after the renovation. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
A friend recommended they look at buying in Wavell Heights and they haven’t looked back since.
“The more we looked into it, the more we realised that even though the suburb doesn’t have its own train line, there’s Sunshine, Virginia, Northgate and Geebung, all really close,” Miss Lonergan said.
“Also, Chermside is only a few minutes away, as well as Nundah Village. And it’s smack bang in-between Sandgate Road and Gympie Road.”
BEFORE: One of the bedrooms in the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: One of the bedrooms at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights after the renovation. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
AFTER: One of the bedrooms after the renovation.
Now three renovations down, the pair say they are still learning as they go along.
Their biggest advice?
“You’ve got to shop around with tradies,” Miss Docherty said. “Don’t be afraid to keep asking for quotes.
“You can do more than you realise with the right tools and knowledge.
“And, you’re always learning. You never know it all with renovating.”
BEFORE: The living room in the house at 10 Orben St, Wavell Heights, before the renovation.
AFTER: The living room after the renovation. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
The girls are hoping to put the house on the market by the end of the month, and are already hunting for their next project in Wavell Heights.
Follow their renovation journey, as well as all their tips and tricks, on Instagram via the account @renogals.
RENO FACT CHECK
Time taken: 12 months
Total spend: $175,000
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