Where renos still pay: Qld’s fixer-upper hotspots

Smart renovation projects are reaping big returns for owners who get it right

Homebuyers not afraid to roll up their sleeves are finding a lucrative way into the property market, snapping up fixer-uppers for below the median house price and flipping them for big rewards.

While latest sales reflect a buyer preference for “turn-key” or completed properties, which are attracting a premium price, taking on a renovation project can be the only option for buyers otherwise locked out of Brisbane’s tight market, where a typical home is now priced above $1 million.

Herron Todd White’s (HTW) latest report found opportunities in the city and regions for savvy buyers, with a Dutton Park home purchased for $885,000 sold in May for $4.5m following extensive renovation.

BEFORE: 36 Lindon St, Dutton Park

AFTER: 36 Lindon St, Dutton Park

“Brisbane’s renovation market in 2025 is characterised by a push-pull between demand for fully completed properties and enthusiasm for major renovation projects,” HTW director Shannan Chandler said.

“High construction costs, builder availability, and project management complexities continue to influence buyer behaviour across all market segments.

“However, opportunities remain for astute purchasers who understand the fundamentals of location, property type, and realistic renovation scope.”

Ms Chandler said cosmetic upgrades to lower-priced houses and units could prove profitable, though demand for entry-level property was expected to peak as first-home buyer incentives were extended in 2026.

BEFORE: 36 Abbott St, Camp Hill

AFTER: 36 Abbott St, Camp Hill

“While it can mean paying a premium for an unrenovated home, there is an upside,” she said.

“Get the finished product right in terms of aesthetics and functionality, and there will be plenty of buyers eager to purchase it.”

A renovated five-bedroom home at 36 Lindon Street, Dutton Park sold for a whopping $3.615m more than when it last changed hands in 2019 — the premium far exceeding local market growth.

But in Camp Hill (36 Abbott St), a 1970s lowset property with a 1990s two-storey addition was purchased for $1.48m in June last year, achieving less than expected when it sold again recently for $2.32m following extensive works estimated at $300,000-$400,000, the report noted.

This four-bedroom home in Geebung has just been renovated and is open to offers

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“The inner south renovation market has some sobering lessons about the reality of current construction costs and market dynamics,” Ms Chandler said.

“[This] project moved the property from the competitive low-to-mid $1m price bracket into the much more challenging low-to-mid $2m market segment.”

In this market, small-scale projects could deliver the best pay-off, with the unit market showing more promise for renovation returns.

Experienced renovators were also making gains with value add-on projects, such as converting an enclosed balcony into an ensuite, to Queensland cottages in suburbs like Wooloowin and Hendra.

A Fig Tree Pocket home described as a “fantastic fixer-upper” is going to auction on September 20

In the regions, a house at 10 Camphor Wood Ct, Robina on the Gold Coast was snapped up in June for $1.745m, following upgrades to the circa-2002 build, eclipsing other comparable sales in the street.

On the Sunshine Coast, gentrification was driving demand for move-in ready homes, though most projects were focused on enhanced living conditions rather than profit.

A home at 78 Lake Entrance Blvd purchased for $1.06m went for $1.33m after a renovation.

The post Where renos still pay: Qld’s fixer-upper hotspots appeared first on realestate.com.au.