GFC created an oversupply of foreclosed houses, a decreased USD$, a local demand for rental houses along with a strong demand from investors. This created what I call the ‘perfect storm’.

During my presentations I always predicted a 36 month window of opportunity to buy these houses whilst the AUD$ was so strong. We could send over AUD$ and receive the same quantity in USD$.

Now we are starting to see the housing market recover and the AUD$ weakening this has now led to a shift in my real estate business.

With Australian demand for rental properties softening due to the AUD$ weakening, we made a decision to start a new business model. We buy properties well under market value, renovate and then sell to a local US market. Sell to owner-occupiers.

In 2015 I spent 5 months in the US developing a model to ‘Fix and Flip’ properties. The renovation on these properties being more expensive as it needs to appeal to local owner occupied buyers.

I discussed the possibilities with my team and set a goal to make at least $25,000 in profit for each project.

The following house cost $25,000 to purchase and the renovation estimate was $40,000, which included the following: