Aussie celebrities swapping the spotlight for screwdrivers to flip homes

From TV stars to footy players, some prominent Victorian faces have left the spotlight for the property world. Now they share what it’s like building property, and how to add value to a home.

Sarah Petty

3 min read

October 20, 2024 - 6:00AM

Victorian personalities are getting involved in the home renovation game. See their tips below.

Test cricketer James Pattinson, reality TV star Zana Pali and Olympian Carrie Smith are among a growing club of Victorian celebrities picking up a tool belt to renovate Victorian homes.

Pattinson has swapped bowling pace for flipping homes, and has already wowed the market with his first effort earlier in the year.

The former Australian fast bowler offloaded a four-bedroom Elwood residence for $3.47m that he and his partner had renovated together.

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Since then, he’s hit the ground running and has two townhouses up for sale that he’s built.

Pattinson said he loved being involved in all the intricate details of building a home and the finished product was always rewarding.

James Pattinson in action in 2022. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Smith, who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has already bought another project after selling her last flip in June, while ex-My Kitchen Rules contestant Pali’s luxury homes have also snared prices in the millions.

Carrie Smith (right) and Jaime Ryan competing in the Women's 470 class on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The bright green bathroom with a double shower head at 2/20 Cunningham St, South Yarra which Carrie and her partner renovated.

She sold the Brighton home that she built with husband Gianni Romano for about $10m in August, which features an 800-bottle wine cellar, lift, pool and spa, as well as a basement entertainment area dubbed “the nightclub”.

Pali said she developed a love of property while growing up on construction sites as a child, as her family are developers.

Former MKR contestant Zana Pali now owns Pali and Co, a property development firm, and will represent Australia at the 2025 Miss Europe Continental beauty contest. Picture: Mark Stewart

Zana Pali and Gianni Romano's Brighton home they built which sold for about $10m.

The underground “nightclub”.

She joins former St Kilda player turned builder and developer Stewart “Buckets” Loewe in giving advice to others planning a home renovation or update.

“My father was a young migrant from Europe who came over and just taught me to work hard, that’s what stood me in good stead with my footy career and taken that into my work career,” Loewe said.

His advice to those looking to renovate their home was not believe what they saw on television show The Block.

“You watch these shows and that’s TV. Reality is you’ve got to get your trades in, sequence your trades and try not to rush – that would be my biggest advice,” he said.

“You’ve just got to do things right.”

Former footy player Stewart Loewe playing in 2001.

Buyers’ advocate Matthew Cleverdon said many homebuyers enjoyed finding out the story that comes with a property and that having a famous personality behind the build piqued interest.

Plus, it often comes with the benefit of being able to view a celeb’s past projects on television shows and social media.

“Celebrities who have seen success in flipping properties have educated themselves and obtained solid information to make quality decisions on good properties in great locations,” Mr Cleverdon said.

He added that there had been strong demand for renovated or “turnkey” homes since building costs had increased during the Covid pandemic.