Thirteen years ago, Kevin Sullivan had a bicycle accident which led to a lack of functionality in his right arm for several years.
The then part-time musician was unable to play during his recovery and while experiencing PTSD as a result of the accident and his work as a Police Forensic Crime Scene Investigator, Mr Sullivan and wife Belinda took to renovating and re-selling homes.
"We love properties that are like a blank canvas," Mrs Sullivan said. "When we walk in we see them not as they are, but what they can be."
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In recent years and now retired from the police, Mr Sullivan has pursued another career as an award-winning country music singer and songwriter, touring regularly throughout Australia and releasing music.
Over the years he's performed in Nashville as guest of The Voice USA finalist Kinsey Rose, as well as at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Gympie Music Muster, the Big Country Festival in Berry, Ballina Country Music Festival, Mildura Country Music Festival and plenty more.
He's also performed alongside Australian country music favourites including Lee Kernaghan, Bill Chambers, Amber Lawrence, Travis Collins, The McClymonts and The Wolfe Brothers.
Away from music, the Sullivans' latest project is a mixed use, multi-tenanted property at Gerringong which includes a popular Airbnb component.
It's now for sale, with a price guide in the mid-$3 million range.
Comprising two retail tenancies and two residential apartments, 'The Fern' is located at 135 Fern Street, Gerringong.
The listing's features include being all on one title with no strata; four separate income streams, with total return around $140,000 per annum; two retail tenants with established businesses; and two residential apartments with strong Airbnb history and occupancy.
According to CoreLogic, the property previously sold in August 2016 for $965,000.
Since that time, the property has been renovated with changes including a new balcony, internal renovations, new electricals, plumbing, and a re-engineered structure.
"We're not builders, but we come from this creative, entrepreneurial place," Mr Sullivan said.
"You can do a lot of this stuff yourself - I did a lot of the initial work myself before we brought professionals in.
"You don't have to be a tradie to do this stuff; you can have a go, and get someone clever to do the speciality work, the finishes and the things that have to be spot on."
When they bought the property it was a one income building, and the couple said they were proud to have converted it into a site with multiple income streams.
"The views are magical - you see the escarpment from every room," Mrs Sullivan said.
"It's so peaceful, and the views are amazing."
The Fern offers two accommodation options - 'Uptown' and 'Downtown'.
'Uptown' is a contemporary two-bedroom, two-bathroom, top-floor apartment with al fresco deck, complete with barbecue, dining area and sun beds and enjoying views over the hinterland and escarpment. The apartment sleeps four.
It can command from $450 to $650 a night in peak periods.
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'Downtown' is an industrial-style studio apartment on the ground floor. Cosy and private, it sleeps two.
It can command from $200 to $450 a night on Airbnb.
Nowadays, Mr Sullivan also co-hosts a monthly country music show on ABC Illawarra.
With the Gerringong property listed for sale, his wife said they didn't have any plans for future renovation projects.
Instead, upcoming touring and work on Mr Sullivan's autobiography will take priority.
"We're putting the development plans on hold," she said.
"I've said 'no more renovation projects' the past four or five times though, so watch this space," he laughed.
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Selling agent, Kate Morgan from Ray White Gerringong said the property had been on the market for a week, but was already attracting significant levels of inquiry from local and out-of-area parties.
"It's a guaranteed investment in that you've got the combination of your commercial and residential," she said.
"It's divided into four separate sections, and there's no strata fees or having to deal with any of that.
"It's been fully renovated, structurally, electricals, everything has been upgraded. It's a really great, neat package.
"It's been a popular Airbnb listing; it's really well set-up."
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