Sandy moved to Australia from China in 2005 to study, arriving in Melbourne at just 17 years old. Nearly two decades later, she hasn’t looked back, having fallen in love with her adopted hometown and the lifestyle it offers.
As a mum, Sandy saw property development as a smart way to set her family up for the future. “Being a mum is a full-time job,” she says, “but I felt that if I partnered with a reliable builder, it wouldn’t take up too much of my precious time.”
Sandy believes Melbourne offers incredible opportunities for those willing to do their research. “It all started in 2020 when I bought a block of land,” she says. “At first, I was planning to build a single home and sell it, but I began reading more and looking closely at all my investment options.”
That’s when she realised the potential of a dual occupancy development. “By building two homes side by side, I could fully utilise the value of the land and essentially double the potential of the block.”
While Sandy initially spoke with another builder, she says Metricon’s reputation ultimately stood out. “When you start researching builders in Melbourne, Metricon’s name comes up again and again as reliable and professional,” she explains. “As a first-time investor, that mattered. I wanted a builder I could genuinely trust when taking such a big step.”
From her very first meeting with a Metricon Development Specialist, Sandy felt reassured. “They understood what I wanted to achieve, and it was clear they had the experience to back it up,” she says.
Sandy chose Metricon’s DualOcc offering, building two mirrored Stapylton 27 homes - each featuring four bedrooms, three bathrooms and multiple living zones. Located in the Glen Eira area, Sandy knew the design would resonate with buyers. “Dual occupancy builds are quite common here, and people want to stay close to the city while still enjoying great lifestyle amenities,” she says. “The way people live is evolving quickly, and DualOcc supports that.”
For Sandy, it was important that the homes felt modern and thoughtfully designed. “DualOcc breathes new life into older blocks by making the most of what’s already there,” she explains. “I wanted to create two contemporary homes that buyers would love, but that also reflected the pride I felt throughout the build.”
The Stapylton 27 floorplan stood out immediately. “The downstairs bedroom with an ensuite is ideal for guests or grandparents, especially in multi-generational households,” Sandy says. “Combined with the two living areas including an upstairs retreat for kids, I could easily imagine two families living side by side and creating memories.”
She also enjoyed the Studio M experience, where she selected fixtures and finishes. “The Studio M team were great,” she says. “They offered lots of excellent suggestions, and everything came together so well.”
Throughout the build, Sandy found communication smooth and efficient. “Any time I had a question, I received a quick response,” she says. “That made the whole process much easier.”
As a new investor, Sandy felt supported by Metricon’s experience and expertise. “They knew the industry inside and out,” she says. “I knew I could rely on them to hold my hand through the build and that I’d always have someone I could reach out to with any questions or concerns. Ultimately, the journey was pretty stress free.”
Seeing the completed homes in person brought her vision to life. “I love how bright and open the living areas feel,” she says. “There’s something uplifting about a home that’s filled with natural light, and the outdoor space is great for a young family on a budget.”
Buyers clearly felt the same way, with both homes selling within one month of handover. “Hearing buyers comment on the finishes and the warmth of the spaces was incredibly rewarding,” Sandy says. “It felt good knowing they could see the care that went into the build.”
For aspiring property investors in Victoria, Sandy’s timing couldn’t have been better. Recent planning reforms have made building Dual Occupancy easier than ever.
“I’d highly recommend DualOcc,” she says. “Do your research, understand your block, and surround yourself with professionals who know what they’re doing. It really does make all the difference.”
If you’re ready to explore how Dual Occupancy could work for you, speak to a Metricon Development Specialist today to start your journey with confidence.
