From Tired to Inspired: How a Warner Home Got a Second Chance
A young couple took a chance on a fixer-upper — and found so much more than just good value.
In 2023, Jess and Michael Pearce were renting a modest two-bedroom place in North Brisbane when a tired old listing in Warner caught their eye.
The house was far from perfect. The garden was wild, the carpets stained, and the kitchen hadn’t seen an update since the late 1990s. But it was a four-bedroom home on a 650 sqm block in a quiet cul-de-sac — and it was priced around $130,000 lower than similar properties just down the road in Albany Creek.
“It sat on the market for weeks,” Michael said. “Most people passed on it. It just looked like too much work.”
But where others saw a problem, Jess and Michael saw potential.
The Reno Plan: Practical, Personal, and Budget-Friendly
They bought the Warner home in early 2024 for $615,000 — a bargain by local standards — and set to work almost straight away. Rather than aiming for a luxury flip, they focused on creating a home that would suit their lifestyle.
Their renovation was staged across six months, with plenty of elbow grease and smart decisions along the way:
- Pulled up the old carpets and sealed the original hardwood floors
- Repainted with soft, neutral tones
- Gave the kitchen a fresh look with new benchtops, tiling, and updated tapware
- Resurfaced the bathroom instead of replacing it
- Installed new lighting
- Built a backyard deck and planted native landscaping
They kept the total spend under $45,000 by doing much of the work themselves and sourcing materials wisely.
Before and After: Built to Live In, Not Sell
This wasn’t a flashy Instagram renovation — and that was exactly the point. Jess and Michael wanted comfort, not clutter. Their home is now light-filled, warm, and genuinely lived-in — a space made for slow mornings, family dinners, and backyard BBQs.
Why Warner?
For the Pearces, Warner offered more than a good price:
- Bigger blocks and family-sized homes
- Easy access to Eatons Hill and Samford Valley
- Nearby schools, parks, and local shops
- A welcoming, suburban feel without feeling isolated
With the suburb’s median house price sitting around $800,000, their property is now estimated to be worth between $745,000 and $765,000 — not bad for a home they don’t plan to leave any time soon.
Where Heart Meets Home
Jess and Michael’s journey proves that home renovations don’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful. With patience, practical choices, and a bit of imagination, even the most overlooked houses can become something special.
In Warner, they found more than just a home — they found their place.
Featured Image Credit: Kelly/Pexels
