Forget fancy degrees and big bank loans – this couple built a property empire from scratch, armed with nothing sheer determination, a willingness to make mistakes, and a keen knack for Googling DIY tips.
In a housing market that often feels out of reach, Anna and Josiah Julian have cracked the code, transforming neglected properties into a thriving rental portfolio and proving that “sweat equity” is the ultimate currency.
Their story, originating from the US, offers a powerful blueprint for Australian aspiring investors looking to unlock serious value in our own challenging real estate landscape.
Seven years ago, Ms Julian stumbled upon a dilapidated row home in Baltimore, USA – unaware it would be the beginning of a highly lucrative revenue stream.
“I bought my first row home in Baltimore, and it was a bit of a fixer-upper, so I just decided to take it on and start learning from Google and YouTube,” Ms Julian, who runs Renorowhome with her partner, tells Realtor.com.
“I started with the bathroom and learned how to do everything in that bathroom.”
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Anna and Josiah Julian are using DIY tips from Google to take on renovation projects as a lucrative revenue stream. Renorowhome/YouTube
“It’s fun to peel back the layers of all the different owners that have put their marks on it and just kind of go back to the original,” Anna explains. Renorowhome
The couple’s Instagram gained traction with their most recent project, renovating a 1960s ranch-style home in Baltimore’s suburbs. Renorowhome/YouTube
While many would have thrown in the towel – or the sledgehammer – out of sheer frustration, Ms Julian found herself bitten by the renovation bug.
Her passion proved so infectious that it soon drew Josiah into her new hobby.
What began as a personal project has since evolved into a substantial side hustle for the couple, despite their complete lack of formal construction backgrounds.
Today, the Julians dedicate most of their spare time to reviving homes, with the ultimate goal of making real estate their full-time profession.
They now run a business called Renorowhome.
“It’s so rewarding to see the before and after,” Ms Julian explains.
“Most of our houses were dirty and broken, but we could see the potential.”
Their inaugural renovation in 2018 was a two-bedroom row home.
They invested approximately $37,841 (US$25,000) to modernise the 100-year-old building into a stylish, functional residence, meticulously preserving its original character with features like exposed brick and hardwood floors.
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Before and after shots of a sink that the couple redid.
Crucially, they undertook the majority of the labour themselves, a strategy that significantly boosted their returns.
“After the first time, we looked at what the house was worth. … That’s when Josiah came more on board, and we realised how much value our sweat equity added,” Ms Julian recalls.
Initially, they tested the waters by renting out a single bedroom.
However, upon discovering a robust market for upscale, mid-to long-term rentals, the couple committed to a repeatable strategy: acquire, research, renovate, and rent out.
Their tenants have included travelling professionals, and they express immense satisfaction in revitalising Baltimore’s historic row homes.
Since 2018, they have acquired and transformed two more historical urban homes, both constructed between 1900 and 1920.
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These projects have not only presented challenges but have also significantly honed their construction and design expertise.
“I love the old architecture, and I feel like older homes are well-built,” Ms Julian says.
In 2022, their ambitions extended beyond Baltimore with the purchase of a four-bedroom farmhouse in Luray, Virginia, for $334,519 (US$221,000).
Following a $30,000 renovation, which included the addition of a hot tub, they transformed the 104-year-old property into a cosy farm stay, ideal for larger groups and families.
This farmhouse is now available on Airbnb, with prices ranging from $350 to over $500 per night during peak seasons.
After renovating a two-bedroom row home in 2018, Anna said her husband saw the value their “sweat equity added. ”Renorowhome/YouTube
This row home is now available for rent. Renorowhome/YouTube
For their first row home, the couple invested $25,000 to modernise it into a stylish, functional home. Renorowhome/YouTube
Meanwhile, their Baltimore row homes are offered as both short- and long-term rentals, with prices ranging from $3632 (US$2400) per month for a two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment to $5146 (US$3400) per month for a furnished house – a testament to the significant returns generated from their initial investments.
The Julians have also achieved considerable success on social media, where they meticulously document every stage of their renovation process, sharing invaluable tips and tricks they have gleaned online.
Indeed, the internet has served as more than just a sharing platform; it has been their primary classroom.
“The biggest thing is you can now go into YouTube and probably find a video for anything you need to learn about,” Ms Julian says.
While the couple’s foray into real estate was unplanned, they caution that the work is not for everyone.
“You have to be willing to put in the time,” Ms Julian says.
“If you’re not passionate about it, don’t do it. It’s going to eat up all your free time.
“But for us, it’s been really exciting to grow a business together.”
The story was originally published on Realtor.com.
English (US) · 