Flipping good

A serious health crisis led to career changes for an enterprising couple who share their demo-to-reno secrets

- Debbie Harrison

Meet & greet Tyge (project manager/house flipper) and Christina Dellar (interior designer/house flipper), Valor, six, and Zeph, three.

There are certain times in married life when you question your partner’s thinking. A very dated old bach in WhangapÄroa was one of those times for Tyge and Christina Dellar. Christina swore it had renovation potential – she had visions of a chic coastal home reminiscent of a lofty Hamptons house. Tyge, on the other hand, wasn’t sold. Sure, the location was great, with beautiful views of Manly Beach in an up-and-coming suburb, but the concrete block walls downstairs screamed bunker rather than beauty.

Now, both the Dellars are highly experienced in doing up houses to flip – this was to be house number eight – but even with all that experience, Tyge couldn’t see how this house would be a winner with a bit of work. Luckily for him, that’s Christina’s job.

“We both have our own roles when it comes to flipping houses. I keep an eye on the market, look at sales, work with agents, view houses and source projects for us to do up and sell. The uglier the better, to be honest,” Christina laughs. “Tyge checks out the practical side of them and how much work is needed. If a house checks out, we formulate a plan together, then he does all the work on the house (including ordering demo work, organising sub-contractors and materials, and project management) and I do interiors and interiors purchases.”

The flipping business