Staged for Success: Risk-Smart Strategy for a Shifting Market
Our client purchased a 1,467m² property with an existing home back in 2016 and a clear goal from the outset – to fully develop the site for maximum value. With guidance from their Ashcroft Property Development Consultant (PDC) they mapped out the full development potential from the outset, ensuring every square metre was maximised. This smart, step-by-step approach has allowed them to make steady progress without stretching resources too thin. It’s a risk-smart strategy that shows how property owners can take on larger-scale projects with confidence and control.
Stage 1: Building Their Family Home
The first step was to build an Ashcroft Churchill design home at the rear of the existing house. While construction was underway, the house at the front stayed tenanted, providing steady rental income to support the project. Once the new Churchill home was complete, the client and their family moved in – a big milestone that sets them up perfectly for the next stages of development.
Stage 2: Expanding with Townhouses
With the Churchill complete, the focus shifts to the next phase: building four new Dartford townhouses behind it (two stand-alone Dartford homes and two in a Duplex configuration). Construction is set to kick off in the coming months, with plans to either rent or sell the new homes on completion. This approach creates options for cashflow and debt reduction, while also allowing the client flexibility to capitalise on market opportunities.
Stage 3: Unlocking Even More Potential
Once the rear townhouses are complete, attention will shift to the front of the property. The plan is to remove the existing house and build three additional townhouses in its place. This stage gives the client the opportunity to further increase returns from the property while adapting their plans as market conditions change.
Why This Approach Works
This project demonstrates how early planning and a staged approach can maximise property potential while offering flexibility and financial security. By collaborating with Nathan, their Ashcroft PDC, to map out a full site plan from the start, the client ensured the land is utilised to its full potential. If they proceed with all three stages, the property will be fully maximised, but even if they stop at an earlier stage, they’ll still have added significant value. This strategy reduces risk, supports cashflow, and creates multiple revenue opportunities, allowing the client to adapt to market conditions and make smart, well-timed decisions throughout the project.
More Project Insights
Elevating Ground, Elevating Returns
Our client came across a great corner site which they knew would make an ideal development proposition. The site measured 746 sqm and was in a highly desirable, established Auckland suburb. The one drawback was that the site was not flat. The client initially considered the best development option would be to construct a new home and a new unit.
Correct Plan Selection, Critical for Maximising Return
Our client, an experienced property developer purchased this property with the goal of development. The site contained a stand-alone home, a garage and a shed, on land of approx. 1,012sqm. The intention was to demolish the existing buildings, constructing new homes in their place.
Development Potential Grows Considerably with New Unitary Plan
Our client owned two properties that sat side by side. Both properties had an existing single level 3 bedroom home.