Geez, we were owner builders and thank goodness we didn't have any of the problems mentioned above.  Mind you we did live in a rural area where very little ever goes missing but if it was in town it would have been a totally different story.  It was a big job and we build a great place that was done better than many builders might have done.  However, we wouldn't do it again because working and owner building is very wearing.  Owner building did give us a much greater respect of the work builders do.

Richard and Terry – in the current economic climate, is it better to go with a bank, or is a non-bank lender just as good?

Hmmm.  I wonder what LA Aussies take would be on this?

So if I am hearing correctly Reeco, you are saying that it is best to keep your expectations flexible because although everything is being 'delivered', there can be unavoidable changes in the schedule, and rigid expectations can cause frustration? 

I really enjoyed your posts of 2 April. I think you have a flair for writing that is just becoming apparent!  Fair mix of reasoning and feeling.  Yeah, I know, off topic but… hey, we're all human!  I cannot wait to read your posts towards the end of the year.

Hehehe.  Sure does. Learning from Hong Kong is seriously keen.  I have no idea why my name would pop up Reeco. You would have explain – if that's permitted.

It has been interesting to watch the local prices and buyer interest levels from September to now.  Prices slumped and buyers were thin on the ground before Christmas and some agents sounded somewhat desperate. (like many people)  In the past 2 months, the homes in the low end have increased along with the buyer interest.  Units have continued to drop a bit but some villas seem to be holding their ground.  At least from what I can see. Agent behaviour has changed too. 

It was also interesting see how over priced some properties are and how many smell of mildew in this area.  The keenly priced properties get snapped up pretty quickly at the moment.

Those webinars would be very interesting especially if the advice or the issues discussed ended up panning out.