How an Australian food blogger became staggeringly wealthy with a single act that banked her $64.4million

A Sydney eastern suburbs food blogger has banked herself a whopping $64.4million in six years by flipping 'trophy homes' in ritzy Bellevue Hill.

Stephanie Conley-Buhre, the daughter of late aviation pioneer and philanthropist John Conley, has become mega wealthy by snapping up rundown homes with astonishing grandeur, fixing them up, and selling them for double the cost.

A trophy home refers to an extraordinary property which contains one or more certain qualities, including historic homes, houses with grand spaces or in a unique location.

In 2021, the fashion designer-turned-lifestyle blogger and her husband Oskar Buhre splashed $28.5million on a 10-bedroom trophy home with grand renovation plans.

They added an internal swimming pool, three kitchens, home gym, day spa and a rumpus room to the property.

Among Alcooringa's other attractions are a ballroom, private chapel, ladies and gents powder rooms and sweeping staircase along with a lift to all levels.

There's a home office , billiard room, internal gym and sauna, expansive wine cellar, caterer's kitchen, secure garage for three cars and additional parking for guests.

The F. Glynn Gilling-designed home also comes with a self-contained three-bedroom guest cottage with separate entry and garage.

In August, the couple made waves in the real estate world when they sold off the Spanish-style property for an eye-watering $80million —$51.5million more than they paid.

It took six years for the home to sell when Conley-Buhre first nabbed it, but she appeared to have no trouble eventually finding a buyer.

CohenHandler buyer's agent Simon Cohen initially declined to comment on the sale, despite rumours of the company's involvement in the purchase.

News of the deal then broke after a caveat was placed on the title for the property, revealing overseas-based expat Hannah Chapman had bought the renovated home.

Director of Ray White Double Bay Ashley Bierman handled the sale for the Conley-Buhre and her husband.

Conley-Buhre bought the property from medico Louis Klein and his wife Claire, who originally paid property developer Maurice Moubarak $2.9million for it in in 1993.

Alcooringa was built in 1929, then named Biscaya, in the Spanish Mission-style for graziers Mary and Hugh Taylor and later became the Tunisian consul until 1965.

Moubarak purchased the property for £55,500 (approx. AUD$107,101.56) before selling it off a few decades later to the Kleins.

In an interview with Home Beautiful magazine this year, Conley-Buhre described how the house had been neglected for nearly 40 years when she bought it.

At the time, the home included a ballroom, private chapel, a self-contained caretakers cottage and some of the best views from Bellevue Hill.

Conley-Buhre, the author of cookbook At Home with The Hostess, gathered ideas for her restoration of Alcooringa during a trip to Spain to source ideas and finishes.

She and her husband also profited on the sale of their previous home which was also in Bellevue Hill on Victoria Rd.

They bought it for $17.1million in 2018 and sold it three years later after a renovation and new garden for $30million—making $64.4million in profit across both homes.

Conley-Buhre is hoping to emulate that same success a third time, as she recently splashed a whopping $43.5million on a mansion over looking Sydney's harbour.

Also located in ritzy Bellevue Hill, the sprawling Italianate pad boasts seven bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Known as Monkton, the influencer's latest trophy home is spread over 1,252square metres and offers stunning views of the Sydney Harbour.

According to The Wentworth Courier, insiders say the couple sealed the deal on the sprawling estate in September.

Designed by famed Australian architect Espie Dods, the century old vintage home is epically scaled and fitted out with extravagant elegance.

Features include columns, a sweeping staircase, a lavish entry foyer, grand ceilings and expansive gardens.

There's also multiple al fresco entertainment spaces, a guest 'wing' and a formal dining room and private lounge.

Other highlights include a pool house and gym, a cabana and a viewing 'terrace'.

Conley-Buhre is the daughter of the late aviation pioneer and philanthropist John Conley.

She is the author of At Home with The Hostess, a cook book inspired by her international travels and home life, filled with over 150 recipes and culinary ideas.

The influencer shares two young sons, Hugo and Freddy, with her husband Oskar.