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How My Sister and I Bought and Renovated Our Dream Beach House—and How You Can Too
Growing up, my sister Stefanie and I would vacation along Florida’s 30A, a dreamy stretch of beach towns. When we first started daydreaming about buying our own beach house together one day, I honestly didn’t see it happening in our 20’s & 30’s. That was something our rich friends’ parents owned, not us. But every year, we continued talking about our goal and planning. After we partnered on our first house together in Austin, when my sister was 24 and I was 26, it felt like our dream beach house may be a more realistic goal than we thought!
This story isn’t just about buying a beach house; it’s about planning, partnership, and creativity. It’s proof that real estate doesn’t have to follow a traditional path—it can be collaborative, fun, and deeply rewarding. That’s also the ethos of Open House Education, my new company dedicated to helping women achieve their real estate goals in unique and inspiring ways.
Why We Decided to Partner
Stef and I have complementary strengths that made partnering a no-brainer. She’s a Creative Director with an incredible eye for design and a steady corporate job. I’m in real estate with experience in renovations. Together, we had the skills and resources to tackle a project like this.
For Stef, buying solo wasn’t realistic at the time, she was starting out in her career. For me, buying alone wasn’t an option when we purchased our first home together in Austin. But by pooling our strengths and resources, we created a winning partnership.
How We Afforded Our Beach House
This beach house journey started with our first home purchase together. After a few years, I utilized a cash-out refinance on that property, pulling out $84,000 in equity. My monthly mortgage payment only increased by $139! That equity, combined with Stef’s savings and an 18-month interest-free credit card for renovation costs, made it possible for us to purchase the beach house.
We each contributed $60,000 for the purchase, renovation, and furnishings. To stay organized, we opened a joint checking account for all expenses and kept meticulous records for tax purposes.
Beach House Details
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Purchase Price: $455,000
Year Purchased: 2020
Layout: 2 units (a “sneaky duplex” with a 3-bed, 2-bath unit upstairs and a smaller efficiency apartment downstairs)
Renovation Focus: We started with the upstairs unit, tackling the downstairs later.
We bought the house sight unseen during COVID, relying on our amazing realtor for virtual tours. It wasn’t a cookie-cutter beach house—it had a quirky exterior, dated interiors, and had been sitting on the market for nearly a year. But we saw its potential and loved the challenge.
The Renovation
Our renovation journey started during Thanksgiving when we first saw the house in person. Armed with mattresses and a lot of ideas, we spent the week planning and creating a game plan. Here’s what we tackled:
- Gutted Bathrooms: Both upstairs bathrooms were completely redone.
- New Flooring: Replaced old flooring throughout the upstairs unit.
- Paint: Interior and exterior got a fresh coat.
- Fixtures & Lighting: All new!
- Kitchen Updates: Painted original cabinets, replaced countertops, and added open shelving.
- Custom Bunk Beds: Built by my partner and a friend for a fun, functional touch.
- New Window: Added to the kitchen for better light.
- Miscellaneous Updates: New outlets, door hinges, and a new front door.
The renovation took about three months—longer than expected due to material delays. But the final result was worth the wait: a light, airy, and relaxing space that perfectly captures the beach house vibe we envisioned.
Managing the Property
We decided to self-manage the property to save money and stay connected to our investment. By using local Facebook groups, we found reliable cleaners and a handyman. I also set up an electric door handle with temporary codes for each guest, ensuring seamless check-ins.
We marketed the property on Airbnb with a personal touch, even creating an Instagram account for the “Nuri House.” Guests appreciated the thoughtful design and attention to detail—especially our no “live, laugh, love” approach to décor!
Monthly Earnings (2021):
- April: $4,637
- May: $4,860
- June: $9,188
- July: $7,831
With a mortgage of $2,250, we were cash-flow positive—even during months we stayed at the house ourselves.
Lessons Learned
This project taught me so much about partnerships, renovation logistics, and managing a short-term rental. It also reinforced why I started Open House Education—to help women realize their real estate goals with creativity and confidence.
At Open House Education, we believe real estate isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s buying a fixer-upper beach house with your sister, turning a spare bedroom into an Airbnb, or investing with friends, we’re here to support you with education, resources, and a like-minded community.
What’s Your Next Move?
If this story resonated with you, know that this kind of success is within reach! It takes planning, strategy, and sometimes partnering with others, but it’s absolutely doable.
Ready to take the next step? Visit openhouseeducation.com to learn more about our courses, community, and resources. Whether you’re just starting out or dreaming big, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Until next time, keep dreaming—and taking steps to make those dreams real.
