Hi Jessica,

We laid laminated flooring in our own home a few years ago and am not happy with it. We’ll probably replace it with boards in the future which will be our 4th floor replacement.

We replaced an old timber floor last year in a kitchen, with new boards. It was bad, holes, missing boards, etc under masonite and vinyl. We buy 2nd…[Read more]

Hi Snowflake,
We put a shower bath in a reno last year, 900×900 and it looked great and catered for people with kids too. Cost about $125.

The space we had was 2400 so the loo, a 600 vanity and the shower were in one line. As you look in the door the loo is in the left hand corner, then vanity and between the vanity and showerbath is a shower…[Read more]

For a start, maybe you could check with some project home builders as to their plans and specifications for duplex units. There are sometimes ads in the real estate section of the paper showing a plan and price for a duplex. Get in writing from the council that the block is suitable for a duplex, work out how much money you have to spend, look at…[Read more]

The management agreement you signed should have the number of inspections that will be done per year. You should receive a copy of the report. Having 8 properties both in NSW and Qld, I look forward to the inspection reports and any comments as to what may need attention now or in the future. Also having worked in property management,…[Read more]

I think it is a matter of choice as to whether you go for gloss or satin when doing your floor. After taking out old carpet, ex and I did two older houses with gloss which look really good. A third already had floorboards, with the lounge and two bedrooms done in gloss, the third bedroom in satin. The gloss looks better I think. There doesn’t…[Read more]

I agree with Jan that you should talk to the council as if you constructed the carport according to building requirements, they may issue approval retrospectively. Submit a plan of what you have constructed – I imagine you drew up a plan and spec. It would have to be unsafe or over an easement or have other problems for a demolition order to be…[Read more]

Check with managing agents in the area your investment property is in as to whether is is worthwhile to furnish it. I have 4 properties which included furniture and whitegoods when purchased. They have never been untenanted and many properties in the same area are furnished. At the same time, some furniture and white goods have had to be…[Read more]

Have bought ceiling fans for own home and other investment properties over the past few years from electrical retailers and even Bunnings. None have cost over $50, all have been 4 blade and with lights. None have given any trouble, look good, are white and have a rattan look on the blades, and are quiet. A couple have been Martec as someone else…[Read more]

It sounds like it will be a great relief for her to be debt free. She could put the $100k or whatever on fixed term deposit while she is researching her options or else in an account on call, eg ING. Financial advisers cost money so I wouldn’t suggest that (got caught once). But get the term deposit rates from all the banks and building societies…[Read more]

Dazzling, when we purchased a house we inherited tenants who were friends of the owner and had rented privately for 7 years. Prior to settlement, the property was given the agent who manages other properties for us. The rent was assessed at $30pw more, the tenants tried to find something else and couldn’t at their previous rental and 14 months…[Read more]

I agree with Junkers. Look at Spotlight/Curtain Wonderland type stores. Usually you can pick up ready made, eg. tab top curtains under $30 a pair and even Big W and K Mart have them too. Rods are cheap enough and maybe up to date ends on the rods as well. Go for neutral colours and the tenants’furnishings won’t clash. If you have a good…[Read more]

Congratulations on your purchase. You have made the first move and the next will be easier. I think you have done well.

We bought a 2 b/r unit over 2 years ago and since sold, for $95,000 and it was getting $250 a week. The reason we sold was that B/C went up a lot and more money was wanted for updating the 15 year old block. That was in FNQ…[Read more]

We have pulled up old,old carpet in two houses and found good floor boards so we polished them. No trouble renting and no complaints as tenants can have their own colouring in rugs. Currently we are just finishing renovating a house we have had for 3 years which was in need of tidying up. It already has floor boards which we have to seal as some…[Read more]

A thought – find outlets, stores/suppliers, who are offering say 12 months interest free terms on whitegoods and buy the HWS, sink and stove and instal them. That way you can find a tenant and start the rental money coming in.

Anna

If you aim to be a millionaire by 30, you need to write down your goals and strategies and look at them every day – what you visualise you will achieve. Work at it. Start off small, buy property at the cheaper end of the market, buy good shares. Deposit your cash into a 5%+ on call account. I had a stragey – 12 properties in 18 months – worked…[Read more]

The vendor cannot list a property without having drawn up a contrac with their solicitor or conveyancer. You obviously have a solicitor or conveyancer and have negotiated with the vendor so you can ask your solicitor or convenancer to include whatever you and the purchaser have agreed to, in the contract, eg, early settlement, longer settlement,…[Read more]

I think you will find that once an owner has listed a property with an agent for say a 6 month listing (Agreement for Sale), then the agent can claim the commission in that time.

Maybe look around for properties that have had signs on them for several months, and find out from the council who the owner is. You could then make your offer direct to…[Read more]

I wouldn’t take much notice of the rental guarantees unless you visit the area, check around with real estate agents and see for yourself what is renting and for how much, types of properties, etc.

I can only talk of my strategy for my own reasons and time frame in looking at the cheaper end of the property market and also units, bought 11…[Read more]

Another option may be to secure a loan in both your name and your parents, that way you have more borrowing power. Start off in the cheaper range of property. Do your research. You can still buy units for under $100,000 returning say $130pw in rent, and furnished, with low body corp fees.

We helped our daughter at same age the above way, and as…[Read more]

Under $20,000 to gain the $60,000 in value. That was a complete strip out as the unit was in the worst condition, eg old chipboard cupboards rotted away, everything untouched in 25 years and nothing was useable. Even the sliding window tracks were worn and didn’t slide. We did sooooo much work ourselves together with the help of our son who’s a…[Read more]