The pair said they loved each other's “spunky attitude” and confidence.
Neither of them have any formal training in interior design or architecture, but when they started in 2019, Muir said it was “something I'd always wanted to do.”
Ami Muir (left) and Kimberley Cooper, from Christchurch, are selling their first property investment property on Stubbury Avenue in Somefield.
“I'd been looking at open houses for a long time and had no idea how I was going to make money from them,” Muir said.
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“I just decided to give it a try. You only live once and if I break even, that's good enough.”
But Muir was able to make a profit from his first property, which motivated him to take on 10 more properties over the next three years.
Vernon Terrace House is Cooper's first property resale – she was looking for a new adventure after selling her podiatry business last year.
“I've always wanted to do that.”
After about 20 auctions, they finally landed on a rundown five-bedroom rental property in Hillsborough that they saw great potential in.
And so began an eight-week adventure, with three young children in tow, two mothers working as property managers and meticulously designing and planning the renovation.
Cooper said one of his favorite moments of the renovation was ripping up the old linoleum and “smelly” carpet to reveal the Rimu floors.
“It was like discovering a gold mine.”
Cooper said he learned a lot about home flipping from Muir along the way, but Muir said he learned some lessons from Cooper, too.
“I've always made the safe choice when it comes to paint and design for renovations,” Muir says.
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“But Kim really pushed me to be more courageous and step out of my comfort zone and put my own designs out there for the first time.”
The kitchen at 19a Vernon Terrace, St Martin's, Christchurch, before renovation in August 2022 (left) and after renovation in November 2022.
These design choices are especially evident in areas such as the kitchen, which features accent walls and designer islands.
“We took away a bedroom to make the master bedroom into one big suite. We wanted it to be a bit of a wow moment,” Muir said.
“As a parent, I absolutely love that room. It's like a sanctuary.”
The master bedroom at 19a Vernon Terrace, St Martins, Christchurch, before renovation in August 2022 (right) and after renovation in November 2022. Photo / Ami Muir
Now that they have successfully completed this resale, recent changes to the OCR and rising interest rates are not going to faze this determined pair, who recently purchased a second property.
They said they aim to make $200,000 from their home flipping business in the new year.
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But their next property, a home in Summerfield with extensive drainage and asbestos problems, is a much more challenging project.
They will take over their new home on December 22nd and start work in the new year.
Meanwhile, Muir had some advice for those thinking about getting into the game.
“Really understand the market and zero in on the specific area you want to buy in.
“When you're ready, I recommend making low offers on a lot of houses and finding a good broker. If the bank says no, you might think that's the end of it, but that's not the case.”
The Vernon Terrace property will be auctioned this Thursday.
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To keep up to date with Muir and Cooper's journey, follow them on Instagram.