First-time renovators have reaped the rewards of hard work, sending Hillsborough into the $1 million club.
Matt Fisher and Samantha Dorn bought 43 King Street for $476,599 in mid-2018.
Last week the fully-renovated four-bedroom property sold for $1,021,000 at auction, marking Hillsborough's first seven-figure result.
The Lake Macquarie township's previous highest sale was $845,000 for a three-bedroom home at 4 Leroy Close in August.
Its first $800,000 result was only achieved this year.
The couple, who are planning to move closer to family in Parkes, were "stoked" with the sale.
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"It's been a lot of hard work but it's finally paid off, we were absolutely stoked when we heard that hammer drop," Mr Fisher said.
"People watch The Block and they think 'they don't do the work, it's all these tradies that do it'.
"In our case and based on a strict wallet, we have managed to do basically everything.
"Especially with a very old property, there's so much you need to do to get it back up to scratch and renewed, it's all but building a new house, but the hard way.
"I'd hate to know where my overall expenditure at Bunnings would sit after it all ... close to every penny I've made over the past three and a half years has gone straight there."
The pair began a "complete rehaul" in 2018 that included painting, new bathrooms, a new laundry, a new en-suite and a new kitchen.
New decking, a new spa and a pool makeover freshened up the outside.
Mr Fisher joked that his partner had initially been hesitant to move into the home in 2018, but a new puppy - "a beautiful little brown kelpie" - was enough to seal the deal.
"It was very run down when we got it," Mr Fisher said.
"We've both worked full time for the three years and six months so it's basically been weekends and taking a bit of time off to get through it.
"It's been blood, sweat and tears for three years ... we're looking forward to a good break."
PRD Newcastle and Lake Macquarie's Alex Brooks said the 808 square metre property had gathered plenty of interest.
"There were 10 registered bidders fighting it out - the auction started at $900,000 and drove all the way up to $1,021,000," Mr Brooks said.
"The suburb geographically is in such a good spot - it's close to Warners Bay, Charlestown Square and there's good schooling.
"People are really catching on and buyers that were originally looking in Warners Bay and Charlestown are starting to look there, that's why prices are going up."
