RPG Investor Case Study: How Tiana Prica’s Badagarang Duplex Investment Helped Her Buy a Home

RPG Investor Case Study: How Tiana Prica’s Badagarang Duplex Investment Helped Her Buy a Home

For Tiana Prica and her partner, investing in a duplex was about making the most of their financial position and building wealth for the future.

With both working full-time and no dependents, they felt it was the right time to invest. After considering shares and term deposits, they chose a duplex investment with RPG in Badagarang.

What followed was a straightforward building experience, a positively geared investment and a financial return that helped them purchase their own home.

Why Tiana Chose to Invest in a Duplex

When Tiana and her partner started exploring investment options, a dip in the property market made purchasing land more affordable.

They already had their deposit ready and saw an opportunity to invest in their long-term financial freedom.

Although they considered the share market and term deposits, a duplex felt like a more straightforward investment with better potential returns.

The couple were initially nervous because they didn’t fully understand the building process. However, RPG’s approach made the decision easier.

A Fixed-Price Build Completed Ahead of Schedule

One of the biggest advantages for Tiana was the certainty RPG provided throughout construction.

The project came with a guaranteed build timeline and fixed price, giving the couple confidence that they wouldn’t face unexpected costs.

Their Badagarang duplex was completed a few weeks ahead of schedule, allowing them to secure tenants and begin generating rental income sooner.

Tiana also appreciated being able to leave the technical decisions to RPG while receiving regular updates and photos throughout construction.

A Positively Geared Investment That Helped Fund Their Own Home

Once construction was complete, Tiana and her partner rented out both sides of the duplex.

For the first year, they were able to see how the investment performed while deciding what to do next.

The property was essentially positively geared, with rental income covering its costs without the couple needing to contribute much of their own money.

As Tiana explained, the investment was working for them in the background.

They eventually decided to sell one half of the duplex.

Their original duplex package cost approximately $1.2 million, and they sold one side for $750,000.

The financial return from that sale helped them put down a deposit on their own home.

Looking Ahead: Reinvesting for the Future

Tiana remains extremely happy with how her Badagarang duplex investment has performed.

She and her partner are considering selling the remaining half and reinvesting the proceeds to continue building their wealth.

Reflecting on the experience, Tiana says she would love to invest with RPG again.

For her, the combination of a predictable building process, regular communication and a successful investment outcome made the experience worthwhile.

This case study highlights Tiana’s personal investment journey and results. Build timelines, rental income and investment outcomes may vary.

Frequently asked questions

Where does RPG build in NSW?
Residential Property Group (RPG) builds throughout regional NSW, including Newcastle/Hunter, the South Coast, Goulburn, and surrounding areas. We generally focus on high-growth, investment-ready locations.
Because we’re focused on regional NSW only, we cover a large variety of towns. Please reach out if you have a specific preference.
A duplex investment can improve your cash flow by providing two rental incomes from a single property. With The RPG Duplex Investment Roadmap, you’ll enjoy a cash flow-positive investment from day one—minimising risks, maximising returns, and setting you up with a steady stream of passive income
Our turn-key approach means your duplex is tenant-ready faster, helping you generate income sooner and build long-term wealth.

Yes. New duplexes can generate over $20,000 per year in depreciation deductions — far more than older properties.

That improves your cash flow and reduces your taxable income, especially in the early years of ownership.

A quote is an early estimate. It’s usually based on limited information — often before a site inspection or proper planning assessment has been done.

That means it’s subject to change. In most cases, it’s just a rough ballpark to keep the conversation going.

A fixed price, on the other hand, is contract-ready. It reflects all known costs — including siteworks, approvals, materials, and finishes. It’s the figure you can take to your lender and build with confidence.

Owning a duplex or dual-key property can set you up for a more comfortable retirement by providing a steady stream of passive income.
With two rental incomes from a single investment, you can build a reliable nest egg that keeps your finances secure and maintains your quality of life.
Through The RPG Duplex Investment Roadmap, we optimise your build specifically for investment ROI.
The process starts with a thorough site assessment and feasibility study, and a fixed price is provided within just 10 days—compared to the industry standard of 6 months. This early clarity means you can secure finance from a position of strength, avoiding market fluctuations and hidden costs.
Our turn-key construction approach, with streamlined planning and fast-tracked approvals, ensures your duplex is tenant-ready sooner, thus maximising your rental income potential.

Every step is designed from day one to protect your investment, deliver consistent cash flow, and set you up for long-term financial success.

Because without it, you’re not in a position to move forward — no matter how ready you think you are.

Pre-approval isn’t just a formality. It tells you exactly what you can borrow, so you’re not wasting time on packages that won’t work. It also puts you in a stronger negotiating position when the right opportunity comes up — because you can act immediately.

And most importantly, it means your builder can give you real advice. Without it, all they can offer is ballpark figures and generic options — and that’s how delays and budget issues start.

If you don’t know your borrowing capacity, you’re not ready to build. It’s that simple.

Ask about approvals: are they using a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a full Development Application (DA)? 

CDC is typically faster and less risky. 

DA can take 6–12 months — and open the door for contract repricing.

 

Ask about their pricing: is it a fixed price, or does it include Prime Costs (PCs) and Provisional Sums (PS) that allow the builder to add extra charges later?

 

And ask about their financial standing: what’s their rating under the Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF)? 

A builder with poor HBCF capacity could leave you stranded mid-project if they collapse — and that’s not uncommon in today’s market.

Look out for Prime Cost items (like cheap allowances for appliances) and Provisional Sums (for unknown siteworks or materials).

These costs often show up later — along with a builder’s margin. RPG contracts are genuinely fixed — no allowances, no surprises.

We provide a full defect period, structural warranty and referrals to trusted local property managers in your build area.

We don’t disappear at handover — we make sure your investment is set up to perform long-term.

Speak to an RPG Duplex Investing Expert