Forum Replies Created
Thanks MJK, I keep it in mind.
Hi PeterM, yes we had a pestinspeciton done, but I’m not sure how frequently you should have them done. Once a year? Anyway, these devises work indefinitely I believe or until they’ve been eaten LOL.
On the other hand, a pestinpsector also looks for other pests, borers etc and these devices ONLY detect termites. So I’m just trying to find out if it would be worth it.
I have emailed the aepma for advice and am waiting for their reply.Apart from termites and borers, what other pests that can do damage to your property should we be aware of?
Oops I’ve already said this in the other topic about Keeping tenants happy, but I suppose I should rather ask here:
What do people think about the value of installing a dishwasher?
CeliviaI like this topic to get ideas!
My brother had tenants with 2 little kids and around Christmas time he used to pay for a carpet cleaner and a couple of hours worth of housecleaning. Everyone loves to have their place looking fresh and clean before Christmas. (It also keeps your carpet in good condition.)
What do people think of the value of having a dishwasher installed? Is it worth it?
Personally I think it’s rather nice if you have tenants with kids to put a little surprice under the tree for them (but that’s because I love kids).
Regards Celivia
I am also interested if you don’t mind, MJK, just to look into it as I find it really hard to find time as well when you have kids and a busy life. I’d appreciatre it, here’s my email: [email protected]
Oops Steve, I forgot to mention that these termidtecta devices do NOT keep termites away, they’re only detecting them, just want to make that clear.
Apparantly they’re made of a kind of timber that the termites find much yummier than any other kind of timber, so when you’ve got termites they will go for these devices first and then start on your house, ie the devices are the entree and your house the main meal. SO if you keep checking these monitors every so often and they’ve been eaten you’ve detected the termites really early- before they’ve done any damage to the house.Thanks I will do! The property we just bought doesn’t have antcaps, so I thought it might be worth to install these termidtecta thingies if they’re recommended by the termite association.
I’ll let you know what they said as soon as I find out.Hi there Fudge, I’d love to see a copy if you don’t mind, thanks.
[email protected]You’ve got a good sense of humour Bill.[:0)]
Interesting, 007. Which city and direction?
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][][}][][}][][}][][}][]What about the PIA software from Jan Somers, is that good? Does anybody have it?
Has anyone heard of something new on the market, called designcrete? It’s something similar as the cement stencilling you can have done outside, but the designcrete looks and feels like ceramic tiles, must be some ceramic stuff they spray on. I came across it on
http://www.designcrete.com.au/I was interested in having this done to my own downstairs living area, ands asked for a quote, but unfortunately they’re not in NSW (yet). Not sure which state they’ve started doing this business, perhaps Vic. They claim it is cheaper and quicker than having real tiles laid. WOnder if anyone has had it done and what they think of it?
Anastasia, I just want to tell you that Simon has recently organised a loan for me, and he’s great! He’s been very helpful, I had no hassles whatsoever so I strongly recommend him. Above all, he offers great advice as you’ve noticed already, something I really value (and desparately need!).
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Good luck!Jan Somers, in her book Building Wealth in Changing Times, she shows you how much in assets you need if you want to retire today. There is a whole chapter on retirement and how to plan for it, I recommend reading it. Then you can adapt it to your own preferred strategy.
Bad luck, the house came on the market on Thursday and a few days later, on Tuesday, day after labour day there was an ‘under contract’ sticker on the for sale sign! My neigbours were offered the asking price. Gee 13 months ago they bought the place for $227K so they did very well. Wish I had bought it then! And I was taking my time leisurely THINKING about it! [xx(]
I believe that it is best to take out an interest only loan for your IPs only if you are still paying off your PPOR.
Because the interest you pay on your own house is not tax deductable, and the interst on your IP is tax deductable.But I think that once you’ve paid off your own home, it may be better to have a P&I loan for your IPs, so as to reduce your debt.
THis is just my opinion though, you may see it differently.Just a question, do you think that properties in small towns with a population of under 5000 would be harder to finance than IPs in bigger towns?
Cheers CeliviaThank you people for your helpful comments.
Kym thanks for making me aware of these issues, I will do some research and look at costs etc. Didn’t know things were this complicated.
Regards CeliviaHi, just want to tell you a story you hopefully will enjoy about PM in Amsterdam, where I come from, now we are on the topic of inspections. Because there is and has always been a housing shortage, most people have a lifelong lease. If you want to move, you’ve gotta find someone through papers/internent who wants to swap houses with you. My brother has just been doing this.
No property manager ever cares about inspecting the place, in fact I think it is unheard of. My mum has been living in the same unit for 60 years, has never had an inspection in her life. No-one I know ever had an inspection. You can do whatever you like. My mum has renovated her house, banged a wall out to make the living room bigger since she didn’t need the 3rd bedroom. (Well when the next tenant rents this place they might just put a wall back in if they desire another bedroom). THis is how it works over there. Carpets, curtains, stoves, everything is supplied by the tenant. The place comes empty when you rent it. Many people pay the previous owner (the one you swap with) for things like floorboards etc. They make up their own deals, swap stoves or BYO etc.
The first time I heard about property inspections is when I came to Australia and rented. I couldn’t believe they checked if you didn’t hang up pictures!!! No nail in the wall allowed??? I really couldn’t believe it! We hated renting here so much!
Now we own our own home and are starting to invest, I can see the other side. I don’t want tenants banging nails in walls whereever they like! Gee people can change! I find it funny now, that in Amsterdam everybody can do whatever they like, there are no vacancies anyway.
The strange thing is, that almost all tenants (everyone I know at least) look after their properties as if they were their own homes.Yes the landlords are repairing things, and maintaining it if necessary, e.g. painting verandahs, but many tenants are taking this task upon themselves, same for improvements. People are putting beautiful floorboards down, improving a garden etc.
I think it’s great that different countries have grown different ‘rules’, it keeps things in perspective.CraigC, thanks for your reply. The only reason that I didn’t want to invest in places with a population less than 10,000 is because many people keep telling me this is high risk, hard to find tenants, low CG etc.
I’m glad this forum thinks differently, it helps to see that others, like you, Westan and Eccles, have something positive to say about small towns and have had good experiences.
So now I don’t mind investing in smaller towns, in fact you gave me new motivation and encouragement and I’m more excited about looking for properties again! So thanks for your positive criticism about my thinking of small towns as no-nos.
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