Client
Duration
Mar 12, 2024
Polina: An $845k Purchase to $350k Profit
When Polina purchased a duplex site with plans already in place, she stepped into unfamiliar territory, managing a construction she hadn’t designed herself. What followed was a story of patience, precision, and persistence. Turning a ready-to-build project into a six-figure success.
Polina is no stranger to development, with four to five projects running at once but this build threw her something new.
She purchased a block with plans and permits already approved, removing months from the timeline but also removing her usual design control. That meant adapting to someone else’s blueprint while keeping the build aligned with her standards and financial goals.
Then came a curveball with unstable soil conditions that stopped work for four months and required a complete engineering redesign.
“Usually, I’m involved in design from day one. This time, I had to learn as I built.”
Most would see that as a setback. Polina saw it as an investment in doing things right from the ground up, literally.
She approached the project with focus and finesse.
Purchase price: $845,000 (with plans and permits)
Construction cost: $1.1M to $1.2M, fully finished and landscaped
Total project cost: around $2M
Expected sale price: $1.3M per home ($2.6M total)
The architect designed duplex featured neutral tones, strong floorplans, and a smart downstairs bedroom layout perfect for downsizers, a subtle design advantage she immediately recognised.
Managing several other developments simultaneously, Polina structured her work so each project hit different stages, maintaining constant momentum without overlap.
“It’s about timing. I make sure I’m not needed in four places at once.”
It’s proof that even an on market opportunity can perform when managed with insight and execution.
Beyond the numbers, the project shows Polina's evolution, from learning to design, to now managing multi site builds with precision. Her steady, hands on approach has helped her move from small beginnings to confidently tackling multiple six figure and seven figure projects.
“Walk before you run. Start small, build confidence, and you’ll scale naturally.”
