4 easy steps to a money-making, life-changing granny flat investment

In what universe can you build a move-in ready home for so little and earn that much rent?

In what universe can you build a move-in ready home for so little and earn that much rent? We’re in a whole new era. The demand for affordable rental properties on the Gold Coast and Logan prompted the government to make granny flats legal for lease just weeks ago.

This new move has opened the doors for enormous residual income potential – but only if you’re ready to see whether that potential can be yours, too!

How could a granny flat investment change your life?

Let’s face it, you’re a lucky person if you own a property these days. You may not even realise how much more potential your house and land have – enough potential to help you and your family with some of our biggest property struggles.

Investment properties vs granny flat investments: which one is better?

If you’re looking at earning rental income or you already own an investment property, you probably know how traditional investment properties work:

- Research the suburb’s historical and projected rental income, demographics and amenities for growth factors.
- Search listings and inspect properties.
- Submit offers, negotiate and sign a contract.
- Pay hundreds of thousands of dollars (or $1million+) for the house and land, plus stamp duty and rates.
- Build in 6 to 9 months (if you’re lucky right now!).
- Renters move in.
- Pay off the home in 30 years.

Here’s how granny flats work:

We’ll measure your land for free (you need less than you think).
You choose from our popular investor range of granny flats or customise your own.
Pay only the cost of the build – no stamp duty, land or extra rates.
We’ll take care of the build from start to finish.
In around 16 weeks you’ll have a move-in ready, beautiful additional home, ready for renters and rental income!
Pay off the granny flat in 4 to 5 years. Yes, just a few years.

Just how much can a granny flat change your life? Find out today.

How do I build a granny flat?

Did we mention the average rental income for a modern granny flat on the Gold Coast is around $500? That’s potentially $26,000 per year in your pocket with very low ongoing expenses. What could you do with $26,000+ residual income per year? Once your granny flat has paid itself off, you could:

Pay off your mortgage faster
Grow your retirement fund
Pay off debt
Help your kids with a home deposit
Bankroll another investment property or granny flat
Build a fun-fund
Retire early!

Granny Flat Investment:
A Smart Property Strategy

If you’re looking for affordable ways to increase your rental income, improve your property value, or maximise unused land, a granny flat investment offers some of the best returns in today’s property market. Whether you’re adding a granny flat to an investment property or your own backyard, these self-contained homes are in high demand with renters across Queensland.

Why Granny Flats Make Great Investments

Lower build costs than standalone homes

Fast approvals and efficient construction

Strong rental demand from couples, retirees & small families

Boost your property value and rental income at the same time

Flexible investment: rent long-term, short-term, or keep for family use

At DC House, we’ve completed granny flat projects across Gold Coast, Logan, and regional Queensland, delivering high-yield rental returns and well-designed living spaces tenants love.

How could a granny flat investment change your life?

Granny Flat Investment Strategies That Work

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or taking your first steps into granny flat investment, having the right strategy makes all the difference. Here are some of the proven granny flat investment strategies our clients have successfully used:

Dual Income Properties

Add a granny flat to an existing investment property, turning a single rental income into two separate income streams.

Value-Adding for Resale

Even if you’re not renting the granny flat straight away, building one can significantly increase property value, making your investment more attractive to future buyers.

Regional and Suburban Focus

High-demand suburbs across South East Queensland and regional centres offer affordable build costs and strong rental demand – a perfect match for granny flat investments.

Flexible Living Options

Granny flats aren’t just for tenants – they’re ideal for multi-generational living, Airbnb opportunities, or even home offices, giving investors multiple ways to generate income.

Fast ROI with High Rental Yields

Many of our granny flat investors are achieving rental yields of 12% to 18%, with total project costs well below the price of a new home build.

Explore the numbers for yourself

Recent Granny Flat Investment Case Studies Delivering Outstanding Returns:

NERANG, QLD 4211

3 Bed | 2 Bath | Internal Area: 80m²

Build Cost: $210,000

Rental Income: $710 p/w

ROI: 17.5%

PALM BEACH, QLD 4221

2 Bed | 2 Bath | Internal Area: 64m²

Build Cost: $225,000

Rental Income: $795 p/w

ROI: 18.4%

So, what’s stopped you from adding a granny flat?

Maybe you thought granny flats were for acreage properties, or they were a basic garage conversion. But in fact, granny flats are now incredibly popular for properties of all shapes, sizes and locations. Granny flats start from comfortable 30m2 studios to spacious 3-bedroom homes fit for families. They can fit all budgets, purposes and styles of homes, from contemporary to colonial. It’s 100% free to have one of our team visit your property and give you on-the-spot advice about what kind of granny flat would work for you. And, we’re completely transparent about prices and inclusions. You’ll get all the information upfront with no hidden surprises, so you can decide if it’s the right step for you.

“But I’m worried that…”

In our years of building granny flats, we’ve heard it all! Most things you might think are roadblocks are notactually a problem at all. For instance, you might think:

What if my land is too small?

But tiny homes can fit in very tiny spaces! We build small studios through to sizeable 3-bedroom homes to suit any parcel of land.

The minimum space required for a secondary dwelling is 30m2. We can visit your property to measure your land and work out the best-fitting granny flat, all free of charge with no obligation to go ahead.

Granny flats seem expensive to me?

Actually, granny flats are a frugal option because you don’t need to pay for the biggest expense: land! You’ll also save on stamp duty, rates etc. And, you could earn significant rental income every week!

We offer some of the best prices in South East Queensland but we never skimp on quality. We don’t believe in hidden costs and fees; the price you get from us includes everything, and we can incorporate extras that others don’t such as landscaping, decks and driveways.

Like any home build, the final price depends on size and inclusions. To give you an idea though, you could be looking at around $90,000 to $125,000.

However, when you compare that to the cost of a new home these days –approximately $300,000 – plus the savings on buying land and all the purchasing fees, settlement fees and so on, it’s a very small sum for the returns!

Where do I start?

Well, it starts with one easy call! You’ll have a team leader who will help you from start to finish with sizing, choosing a plan, managing the build, and taking care of the paperwork.

We’ll visit your property to do a free measure and quote, and from there you can choose your favourite granny flat design and the fittings and fixtures. Our design team can help you if you need it. You’ll be assigned a team leader who will manage your project, give you updates on the build and complete all the inspections – and hand the keys over when it’s ready.

I rent, so I can’t have a granny flat

That’s true, but you can add a granny flat to an investment property to quickly boost your yield. It can also make it easier to be approved for a loan if you can guarantee a higher rental return.

Can't I build one DIY for cheaper?

Once you factor all the extra costs like ground preparation, permits, labour, landscaping, fittings, fixtures, finishings and landscaping, you might find you’re paying a lot more (and taking far longer) to DIY than to have professionals do it.

People think DIY is better because it’s cheaper, but DIY kits focus only on the building materials. You’ll also need to have it assembled, run power and plumbing, pay for and pass inspections, add landscaping, fencing and concreting – the list goes on and on.

All told, the final price between DIY and custom-built is very small; it’s just that you did all the work instead of letting professionals take care of it for you! A DIY kit won’t include any kind of builder’s warranty either.

Will I have to do a lot of work myself?

We include everything your granny flat needs, including driveways and landscaping. There are no hidden costs; your tiny home will be move-in ready complete with builder’s warranty.

Just how much can a granny flat change your life? Find out today.

We Can Also Help With:

Our team of experts is committed to delivering exceptional service, from the initial design phase to the final construction, handover and any other steps required to bring your dream to life. We have developed optional extra service areas around the build to ensure this process is seamless, like site prep, concreting sidewalks and anything else you may need.