Charles Corby, a property investor who owns a portfolio of more than 40 properties, has launched Charlie Property, a Geelong-based buyer’s agency that specialises in sourcing rundown, distressed and off-market homes with renovation potential.
Rather than helping clients buy any investment property, the agency focuses on finding homes where investors can add value through renovation before selling or holding them as long-term rentals.
Charlie Property sources mortgagee sales, insurance write-offs, council auction properties and homes left in poor condition following tenant damage. It assesses each property’s renovation potential by analysing purchase price data from RP Data, renovation costs and expected resale or rental value before recommending a purchase.
The agency also connects clients with specialist mortgage brokers for bridging and renovation finance, and insurance brokers who can arrange cover for renovation projects.
According to the release, the agency attracted more than 150 completed client applications on its first day, despite no external marketing.
Charles said he wanted to give everyday Australians access to the same renovation opportunities and industry connections that helped him build his own portfolio.
“A lot of our inquiries are from everyday Australians, particularly young investors, FIFO workers and mum-and-dad investors, who are willing to roll up their sleeves to build wealth through property but don’t know where to find renovation opportunities,” he said.
“Buying the property is only one part of the process. Investors also need the right finance, insurance and advice to make a renovation project work. We’ve built a network of professionals that clients can tap into, including mortgage brokers, insurance brokers and other specialists. They’re the same people I use myself on my own projects.”
Charles said the most common mistake buyers make is focusing on purchase price rather than total project cost.
“You need to understand the renovation budget, holding costs and what the property is realistically worth when the work is finished. We help clients work through those numbers before they commit to buying.”
He said the agency stays involved beyond the purchase.
“It’s not a ‘buy and goodbye’ buyer’s agency. We also continue to support clients throughout their renovation projects.”
Charles said he is on track to restore 100 abandoned or derelict homes in 2026 using the agency’s tools and resources.
For agents, the launch is a reminder that renovation-ready and distressed stock is attracting organised, well-resourced buyer competition, and that vendors selling properties in poor condition may now have a more targeted pool of investor interest to draw on.