It's not a requirement to go to auction but when they do there's no dispute about "fair price". Which is why they DO go to auction.

Why do you want to pay market price? If you are going to auction don't show your hand before.

If you don't want to bid at auction, wait until after. It will be listed with a price then.

Thank you. Have downloaded it on my iPad- will read it this afternoon.

Could just be that there was a new development in the area. These are usually higher in price than the standard. Sell a few of those and it looks like p[rices have risen. Same as when an old area has lots of sales of properties that have been renovated. Looks like a price hike but it doesn't show the money spent on upgrading the houses..

I've done a few renos and one fire damaged one (not structural).
 
I'd suggest starting with a basic reno first. eg paint, carpet, maybe new vanity, toilet, maybe even a new kitchen before tackling a fire damaged property.

Having some basic experience under your belt gives you the experience to deal with the extra issues associated with fire damage (water, smoke etc).

I definately would not recommend a fire damaged house with structural issues unless you have had experience in renovations.
There's also the issue of insurance and getting a loan. It's not that easy. As soon as the bank sees "fire damaged" on the contract there are issues. Not impossible but as a newby???

Only the people on the title can claim (not your whole family). Also if going overseas, for example, if you have a holiday while your there you only claim the % of the trip that was associated with managing the property.
There isn't a limit but the ATO will question if it's unreasonable.

When we did our reno we were there everyday for a months 30 days of tolls and fuel.
After that you would only need to go 1-2 times a year unless you purchased a dud.

You cannot claim when looking for property. Only after you've purchased something.

As Goldies said- there are good and bad parts.

You really need to be on the ground looking. You can't see things on the internet.
You need to be aware of the difference in the suburbs. One house may look cheap compared to another but it's suburb and even street will make a difference. Look at the number of private owners VS housing commission houses in the street. 

The hype with investors at the moment will drive prices up (in my opinion). The high yields are very attractive to investors. And as yields go up renters will see value in buying also.

There's money to be had, you just need to do your homework. It's not just a matter of buying any house and making money.

I have both in the Blacktown LGA.  For me it's never a case of unit VS house. It's about the numbers.

My villa and unit in Blacktown were under market and I didn't need to do anything to them. Put the rent up to market value and they were both CF neutral. Same tenants were in and stayed in. They have gone up in value. Easy money.

My houses I bought because they needed lots of work. I bought them under market and did a reno. This gave me instant equity and they were CF neutral to + straight away.

If you buy a unit VS house and do no work on either the unit will give you a better gross yield but you need to factor in strata. But in a house you have extra insurance and maintenance. Units are less work than houses from a maintenance perspective(in my experience anyway).
Depends what your strategy is and if it fits with your portfolio. I'm not adverse to either.I have half villa/units to houses.

The houses go down land goes up theory doesn't always hold true.
My tiny 1 bed unit has seen 50% growth in the last 4 years. It's about demand and supply. Just because something doesn't have a large land content it doesn't mean it won't go up with the rest of the suburb.

St Mary's Willmot and Dharruk ARE in Blacktown LGA. Mt Druitt subburbs make up a VERY large percentage of the Blacktrown LGA.

When I read about areas to invest in all the experts say to target areas where surrounding suburbs have gone up- buy the one nearby that hasn't gone up yet. Depends what the client is loooking for. Some people buy for yield, others buy for CG. Depends where you and your portfolio arte positioned at the time.

As I said- Mt Druitt IS in Blacktown area. I disagree with CG going nowhere. My properties have had CG and yield is great. As with any area that has a low vacancy rate, rents are increasing. Of course I want CG as well (I want it all LOL).
There are "nasty" tenants everywhere, not just Mt Druitt. It comes down to tenant selection. 
I personally like the area and has been kind to me.

As for no CG- ever hear of a guy called Nathan Birch (google him). He made his first million in buying property in Mt Druitt (after the 1999-2003 boom).

Really? So you disagree with the many experts who are predicting high CG in the Blacktown LGA?

Do you know the Blacktown area at all?  Sure investors are moving to the area but there are still predominantly OO. Blacktown has one of the highest predicted population growth in Sydney (if not Australia). When population grows people rent then ultimately buy in the same area.

They might be upgrading and the house they want to buy will go up even more.

Some people overpaid in 2003 and are sick of waiting.
Some may have had bad tenants and have had enough.
Some people do not believe there WILL be capital gain.
Some people believe the hype that property values will DROP by 40% (like USA). Papers were full of this as recently as last month.
depends who you listen to.

People buy and sell houses all the time for many reasons.