Case Study: How Mark & Dianne Built Their Perfect Lock-and-Leave Home Without Moving

Background

Mark and Dianne, both in their early 60s, had lived in their family home in Weston Creek for over 30 years. With their children now grown and moved out, they wanted to downsize to a home that was easier to maintain, modern, and perfect for their next chapter in life.

The Challenge: The Right Home Didn’t Exist

• They wanted a single-level, modern, compact home that was secure, low-maintenance, and lock-and-leave friendly for future travel.
• They searched Canberra’s property market for months, but every option was in a large complex, multi-storey, or poorly designed.
• Nothing offered the privacy, convenience, and low-maintenance lifestyle they needed.
• They loved their neighborhood and community—they didn’t want to leave.

After months of searching, they realized their ideal home simply wasn’t on the market.

The Simple Plan: Subdivide & Stay

Rather than settling for a compromise, Mark and Dianne created their own solution:

• Custom-design a single-level, compact home to suit their lifestyle.
• Subdivide their existing 1,100 sqm block and build their dream home at the rear.
• Determine, with their financial planner, whether to sell or rent their existing home once the new home was complete.

This approach allowed them to stay in the community they loved while moving into a brand-new home designed exactly for their needs.

The Process

1. Free Feasibility Study & Initial Consultation

A free consultation with Dual Occupancy Canberra confirmed that their block was ideal for subdivision. The feasibility study outlined:

• Subdivision costs and processes,
• Expected market value for their new and existing home, and
• Custom design options for their perfect downsizer home.

2. Custom Home & Subdivision Plan – $3,500 + Site Survey (Paid After Design is Completed)

Since no existing home met their needs, Mark and Dianne worked with a designer to create their ideal living space:

• A single-level, compact, modern home (less than 120sqm)
• Spacious, open-plan layout with natural light & energy efficiency
• A private driveway and garage for security
• A low-maintenance 400 sqm block with functional outdoor space
• Lock-and-leave features for easy travel without worry

3. Development Application & Planning Approvals

The Dual Occupancy Canberra team handled:

• Lodging the Development Application (DA),
• Managing approvals with ACT Planning & utility providers, and
• Ensuring compliance with all subdivision & construction regulations.

4. Construction & Subdivision Process

Once approvals were granted, construction of their custom home began at the rear of their block while their original home remained untouched.

• Build time: 6-8 months
• Fixed-price agreement for cost certainty
• Minimal landscaping for a truly low-maintenance lifestyle

5. Meeting with Their Financial Planner – Sell or Rent?

Once their new home was complete, Mark and Dianne met with their financial planner to determine whether they should:

• Sell their original home to unlock equity and boost their financial security, or
• Retain and rent it out as an investment for ongoing passive income.

After assessing their financial goals, tax implications, and future plans, they made an informed decision on the best path forward.

This step ensured that they maximized the financial benefits of their “Subdivide & Stay strategy,” aligning their property decisions with their long-term lifestyle and wealth goals.

The Outcome: A Perfectly Designed Home & Financial Freedom

Mark and Dianne finally had the home they had spent months searching for—because they built it themselves.

• A brand-new, modern, single-level home designed for their lifestyle.
• A low-maintenance, lock-and-leave setup perfect for travel.
• Stayed in their neighborhood near friends and family.
• Made an informed financial decision on whether to sell or rent their existing home.

“We searched for months and couldn’t find what we wanted. Now, we have the perfect home, designed exactly for us, and we didn’t even have to leave our street.” – Mark & Dianne

Why Consider Subdivide & Stay?

If you’re struggling to find the perfect downsizer home, the answer might be on your own land. Subdivide & Stay lets you:

Create the exact home you want—without compromise,

• Stay in your neighborhood near friends, family, and familiar amenities,
• Sell your existing home without the hassle of moving twice, and
• Live in a secure, low-maintenance home so you can travel with peace of mind.

Take the First Step – Free Property Assessment Meeting

Looking for the perfect downsizer or lock-and-leave home but not finding the right fit? You might already own it.

Contact us today for a FREE property assessment and expert advice.

Like Mark and Dianne, you can create the perfect home for your future—without ever leaving your block.