Bartercard fuels auto dealer's $230,000 property transformation

Gold Coast businessman Grant Balemi has used Bartercard to transform a rundown acreage property at Carrara into a $1 million-plus show home.

The car dealer said the $230,000 renovation of the property would not have been possible without his Bartercard trade dollars, which delivered him almost half – or approximately $105,000 worth – of services from key tradies.

After paying $515,000 for the two-acre property three years ago, Grant and wife Debbie have received a number of appraisals of more than $1 million post-renovation.

They have listed the five-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence for sale and are currently seeking expressions of interest over $1million, putting the property on track for an impressive capital gain after reducing significant cash expenses via the global trading network.  

“It’s quite amazing how much of the renovation I’ve been able to do through Bartercard, and it’s turned out beautifully,” Mr Balemi said.

A Bartercard South Gold Coast member since 2013, Mr Balemi initially used the barter trade exchange for his car dealership, Auto Pursuit, to save cash on services he required like towing, dent repair and car detailing.

Having experienced the cash-saving power of Bartercard, Mr Balemi decided to apply it to his journey up the property ladder and factored it into his purchase of the Carrara property in 2014.

“We probably paid a bit too much for the property initially, but we recognised its potential, because it was acreage living just 10 minutes from Broadbeach,” he said.

“With the Commonwealth Games coming up, and being right around the corner from Metricon Stadium and private school Emmanuel College, the area is also poised for major growth.

“The plan from the outset was always to use Bartercard to help fund the improvements that this property desperately needed.

“It would have been impossible to carry out a renovation of this size without the Bartercard element.”

Mr Balemi tapped into the Bartercard network on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and interstate to source “big ticket” trades such as tiling, concreting and plumbing, as well as electrical fittings, plants and bathroom products.

Trade dollars also paid for the building of a sandstone retaining wall on the expansive property, which has a rural outlook – looking down on show horses – and fronts nature reserve bordering Emerald Lakes Golf Club.

“I was able to find a large selection of trades I needed through the Bartercard network and in most cases, it was a 100 per cent trade with those members,” Mr Balemi said.

“If you want to save cash, it’s definitely the way to go.

“It’s a no brainer for someone who wishes to do a renovation but may not have the cash or the borrowing capacity to do it.”

Mr Balemi said the sale of the property would put the couple in a stronger financial position.

“It’s a beautiful property now and we wouldn’t really be selling it under other circumstances,” he said.

“But it will allow us to get on top of debt and buy more real estate.”

Bartercard co-founder and South Gold Coast franchise owner Andrew Federowsky said Mr Balemi’s renovation demonstrated how Bartercard could be used to save cash while boosting purchase power.

“Grant is a great example of just how much value can be extracted from Bartercard, both professionally and privately,” Mr Federowsky said. 

“Whether it’s building a house, running a business or even paying for a wedding, the range of goods and services available to our members is unlimited.”

For more information, please visit www.bartercard.com.au or call Bartercard South Gold Coast on (07) 5593 5916.