I would suggest you check the stamp duty requirements in your state but if you are in WA and you buy her out you would generally have to pay stamp duty, you can apply for what is called "Nominal Stamp Duty (discounted rate)" which they will grant under some circumstances but from when i enquired it was generally applied to husbands/wives being removed from title in divorce circumstances.

I agree, three valuations as standard and then decide something fair & reasonable in between them. I think if you are wanting to keep the property, it's easier to buy her out if you go to open market you'll have to pay agents fees/settlement fees etc too. If you can keep the property i would def recommend it, long term r/e success is based on holding property for as long as you can and using it to borrow against the equity and buy more property.

Hi Loz77, tried to email you but the system wouldn't let me, feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] and we can chat if you like? I'm also organising an informal catch up maybe once a month basically to talk real estate and help us all out in regards to investing or buying our own homes. Hope to hear form you.