🌊 Illawarra's Top Renovators' Hotspots for 2025
- Joel Hynes
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Where Innovative Renovators are Finding Value Under $1.5 Million
🏄♂️ A Fresh Wave in the Market
The best homes aren't perfect — they're waiting for someone with vision. In a market where move-in-ready properties keep stretching budgets, more Illawarra buyers are rediscovering the power of renovation. Buying a solid home that needs love can get you into a premium postcode under $1.5 million — with the bonus of shaping it to your lifestyle. Across the region, that strategy is paying off.
At The Shoreline Agency, we've mapped nine suburbs where the numbers and the neighbourhoods align: good bones, coastal character, and strong demand once the work's done.
🛠️ Why Renovation is the New Entry Strategy
The appeal of renovation isn't new — but the balance has shifted. Turnkey homes now sit well above the median. This has pushed creative buyers to look for potential rather than perfection. Renovating lets you:
Buy beneath the suburb median.
Add equity through improvement rather than speculation.
Live in a street or suburb that would otherwise be out of reach.
In the Illawarra, where coastline meets community, renovation isn't just a strategy — it's an expression of how locals want to live.
📈 What Makes a True "Reno Hotspot"
Not every affordable suburb is a winner. The best pockets share a mix of:
Growth 📈 – consistent value movement, not one-off spikes.
Yield 🏠 – rental strength while you hold or upgrade.
Day Market ⏱️ – quick buyer turnaround means active demand.
Lifestyle – cafés, beaches, and community energy that hold long-term value.
The sweet spot? Suburbs that offer all four.
💬 The Numbers Tell the Story
Across nine Illawarra suburbs, here's what the data shows for 2025:
Fastest Growth: Gwynneville (+27 %), Wollongong (+13 %), Keiraville (+10 %).
Most Affordable Entry: Figtree ($1.1 M median).
Tightest Vacancy: Wollongong 0.5 %, Gwynneville 0.8 %.
Highest Owner-Occupier Rates: Woonona 82%, Kiama 80%.
Together, these figures reveal a confident, low-vacancy market where renovators can buy well and build value fast. (Source: Stash Property, October 2025)
🏡 The Suburbs to Watch
Figtree — The Family Classic
Figtree offers an affordable entry point at $1.1M, with a quick 26-day sales cycle indicating high demand. Young families are transforming 70s brick homes near schools and cafés — proof that "solid bones" still matter.
Wollongong — The City Heart
Wollongong boasts +13 % annual growth and near-zero vacancy. Character cottages are being revived by professionals who want walk-to-beach convenience and steady rental yield.
Keiraville — Leafy Character
Keiraville features heritage streets, café culture, and proximity to UOW. Plenty of pre-war homes are ready for value-add projects.
Shellharbour — Steady and Strong
Shellharbour is a balanced family hub where renovations on brick veneers outperform new builds on land value alone.
Gwynneville — The Surprise Performer
Gwynneville is up 27 % in a year. Inner-city charm meets fresh energy — period homes are getting a new lease on life, one renovation at a time.
Kiama — Coastal Charm
Kiama has seen a slight cooling after a long run, but it remains one of the coast's most resilient lifestyle markets.
Woonona — The Family Stronghold
Woonona features an 82 % owner-occupier rate and fast resales. Renovators here aren't just flipping — they're staying.
Gerringong — The Lifestyle Performer
Gerringong offers consistent long-term growth and a strong village feel. It is ideal for quality renovations with character.
Shell Cove — The Planned Coastal Lifestyle
Shell Cove is a modern community with space for creative touches and extensions. Growth is steady at +5 % — a balance of lifestyle and liveability.
Download the Full report.
☕ Life Beyond the Numbers
What makes Illawarra unique is that lifestyle isn't a by-product — it's the heartbeat. From a morning surf at Woonona to coffee at Diggies before open homes, this coastline keeps buyers anchored here. Renovating locally means more than increasing value — it's choosing to live where the weekends feel like holidays.
🔍 What It Means for Buyers
Renovation = Entry + Equity Growth — buy below the suburb median and upgrade smart.
Low Vacancy = Rental Confidence — solid yields while you hold.
High Owner-Occupier = Stability — pride in place protects long-term value.
A real-world example: a Figtree brick veneer bought for $1.05 M, renovated for $120 K, and resold for $1.23 M within six months. Innovative improvements still outperform market averages.
📞 Ready to Find Your Coastal Fixer-Upper?
The best Illawarra opportunities aren't always on the portals — they're often the quiet listings, the pre-market whispers, the ones that need imagination. If you're ready to explore renovation-ready homes with real upside, let's talk.
See you on the shoreline.
🏠 About The Shoreline Agency
We're a buyer's agency based in the Illawarra, helping clients find and secure property with strategy — not stress. From first-home marketers to coastal upgraders, we navigate the market so you can focus on the lifestyle you're moving to.
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