I often find that the costs blow out.
Recent home renovations told me the truth.

I have a friend who is a builder and told me that adding an additional room to my existing house would cost in excess of $60k. I chose not to.

On a block of land, and the desire for an architect home (to live in later) I approached two for “drawings”, one cost $1,000 and the other nearly $2,000. I havent even started yet! Now, both of these were told to work on three bedrooms, longe, dining and kitchen and bathroom. the block is pretty flat. I thought $200-$250k would be a reasonable price (land owned already) but this is the budget range.

My only warnings to you, factor in an additional 20% to cover incidentals. I didn’t pull them out of thin air, it was based on friends experiences of building.
Make sure council approves it, there are often hidden nasties be them council, costs, builders, weather etc…they can vary, they can change.

Just make sure you have crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s before you do anything drastic. in Theory, everything works.

Elves.

Hi Phil

Its called persistence!
Not sure if the following helps.

I hate mornings, but hate wasting my days, make sense? No? Well I get up because I want to, because if I get what I need to done before a certain time, the rest of the day is all mine!

I start work by 730am, now for me, getting up around 6 or 630am is my time, and I dont ever need an alarm clock. I have no clocks in my room, I used to tell myself before sleep what time I wanted to wake for, and bingo, it works. For the skeptics or those that turn over and hide beneath the sheets, thats your fault.

I would say to those people “Your body woke you, but you ignored it”, and went back to sleep. Personally I find it hard to sleep past 7am, 5 am however is not on my agenda or schedule.

Some people function better on less sleep, others need more, so maybe thats you? Or are you a night owl like me? I like the quiet of a night I feel I can think more, I study at night, after working. I often go to bed at midgnight or later, the last two days have been 3am bedtimes and thats not partying. I was working on my home and computer. I just wasnt tired. By the way I was up Sunday, yep this morning at 700am and washing clothes, on the line and up to the Blue mountains by 10am.on less than 4 hours sleep.

So, try going to bed earlier, try and relax before you do, have a reason for getting up early each morning — I could say something here but maybe not…lol!
(try motivating yourself and obviously a newspaper isnt working!)

I just wish there were more hours in a day! Better stop here because my err warped sense of humour might end me up in hot water!

I thought mornings were a good time to get up?[):]

Elves

LOL!

You are the only one with the guts? courage to say anything, but I was thinking the same. Yes I looked, Yes I emailed and yes I thought the same, good earner and only a header so far. No offence to DD for their efforts and agreed research cost time and why shouldn’t someone pay for that?

I would want a receipt in anycase.

You think how hungry we are for that edge, that extra property adn that extra dollar….after all we have seen the titles, we have seen how many books…sorry Steve…LOL!

From Margaret Lomas to Robert whats his name (cant spell it) Paul CLitheroe and our good Steve. Now, don’t tell me these poeple havent made it on the wave of free publicity. ANd good luck to them! They have all had incredibly great TV and news articles of them and their books, many sold out as a result of consumer demand…not a bad way to earn a living when most of these books are retail $30 a peiece.

Add to this the tantilising promotions….day or weekend seminars….join the new enterprise…

Example, Financial GuruX goes on Tv, promotes self and any selling aid, ususally a book or a free/cost seminar, might even promote a new franchise possibility…or property management scheme….followed by a sign up agreement…and confidentiality agreements…followed by…give me all your personal and financial history….but I wont give you mine…pay a fee for this up front before too much is given away….and bang! Money gone, they know all your details and you might have nothing…

Now this might not be the case for all, but be warned, it does happen, and while I have experienced part of the above, I refused to give my full details without further info, (it has to be mutual! )$25, I can handle, and that could well be the gist here, its small enough not to bother too much about, about the price for a case of beer isnt it? ( I dont drink beer), an amount you wouldnt be concerned about losing? small and enticing? The carrot dangled…but is it on a string?

for most people, you might say yep, what the hell, not expensive…so yes well thought plan I guess…

Anyway, might be a good opportunity, you never know, but we all deserve to be paid for our research and time? just have to consider it an individual choice and can you afford to throw it away? Can you afford to miss a possibly good opportunity? remember there is no such thing as a free lunch!

consider it said..

Lol
[]
Elves

I bought properties within the last twelve months, ranging from 135-151, all are now able to be placed for quick sale on the market (recent appraisals) for over 210k, that was a min increase in 6 months of 60

However, I consider timing was the key, and not good planning. Luck? well whatever it was, I was happy and tenants are good in some, one bad apple in there.

I think the hype and all these books and these DYI shows have created an artificial boom. I am of the beleif that some are seriously going to suffer for taking on financial projects that could end them in hot water.

Rather like gambling on a poker machine in my books…if you cant afford to lose it….dont spend it (or waste it if gambling on the pokies!)

Do your sums, do some research and make up your own mind. That way you cant blame anyone else for mishaps, and you can take all the credit

Cheers

Lynn

Elves

You can get information from I think it is residex, but you have to pay.

The prices in Logan have increased dramatically, properties are now over 210k and increasing, Daisy Hill is not far from these, but why dont you seek info out from a real estate agent?

Just to give you an idea. Don’t commit and be careful about exactly what you want to say, other wise they may want to do what you do. Vacant blocks of land in Logan are a rarity. (but nowhere near Sydney Prices)

On another note, large property may be what some investor is looking for, or a family. SAd really to split up land for the sake of the almightly dollar, but thems the beaks.

I guess I like space adn it is rapidly running out where I live.

Cheers

Lynn[]

Hi

I rent two properties to my family, all at market rents, where they would not have been able to get rental accom. By doing this, I provide them with a rental agreement, a lease, no bond, and a property report. The money is banked directly into a bank account so there is always proof and records.

For those on benefits, centrelink require a copy of a lease usually and I have had to complete forms with details twice for one party and not for the other.

My properties grow and at this time are looked after, but I also have landlord insurance to cover me. I do not pay an agent, but in some cases I would advise this to remove yourself from the emotional issues that can arise.

My family know I am hard but fair, there are no ifs or buts about rent, pay it or suffer the consequences.

I also rent with an agent to other people who are not tenants.

AS for my family, paying regular rent and being “in the market” gives them some rating for any further possible moves.

cheers