That’s a really good question about where to save for your deposit. My suggestion would be that you need to decide whether you want the safe option or the risky option.

For your first home, my suggestion would be to go with the safe option. Just open a high interest savings account at a bank and just save hard. Whatever extra you might squeeze…[Read more]

Blinkau,
whilst no-one on this site can give you advice, I think you may be looking for opinions. ie. what we would do if we were in your shoes right now.

So for what it is worth, this is what I would do if I was you right now.

I would firstly save to buy a home to live in that is really affordable and has three or more bedrooms.

If it is…[Read more]

I would look at getting out asap and establishing a happy home life for yourselves in a place you want to be in. Whether that is renting or buying will depend on your finances.

Once you are haooy and settled in your home then you can really go for the investments. Being miserable at home is a huge distraction, and if you are always feeling you…[Read more]

Great post Techno.

Stargazer, sounds like a higher earning account (or term depost) is a great start.

I’s also suggest you visit a large book store and look through the investment section. Even though you say she would not sit and read there are books written specifically for women and have been printed with ‘hip’ looking covers which may…[Read more]

Great post Techno.

Stargazer, sounds like a higher earning account (or term depost) is a great start.

I’s also suggest you visit a large book store and look through the investment section. Even though you say she would not sit and read there are books written specifically for women and have been printed with ‘hip’ looking covers which may…[Read more]

if you lift the old vynal floor and find it is glued to the floor, try pulling off as much as you can and then use a wallpaper removing steaming machine (hire for approx $35) to remove the glue from the floor boards.

Worked for me!

Thanks for Web sites provided – they are a great reference.

Hustla, thanks for offering to assist with specific information to an address. I don’t have one I’m looking at specifically right now – but appreciate the offer.

I was just getting frustrated with the lack of historical specific information available generally – hence the post.

Whilst…[Read more]

I think if you are local to Geelong and you seem to feel comfortable there, then I would suggest you really focus there. Better to get a really good deal in Geelong then ‘nearly’ get a really great deal anywhere else.

Get on the phone/internet/ground and get to know the Geelong market like the back of your hand. Find out all the numbers on the…[Read more]

Thanks for responses everyone.
Seems as though unless the stats are obtained from a REA they are not available. Ball park figures on current values from Resisex seem to be best option.

Looks like offers will have to be put forward erring on side of caution – bu then I guess that should be done anyway.

Thanks again.

Also if you have the battery one you should consider writing into the next rental agreement that the tenants are not to take out the battery (has been known to happen.

There should be agreement as to who checks and replaces the battery and when I guess. Does anyone know of any legilation about this? Is it the responsibility of the landlord or…[Read more]

You can negotiate anything you want with the REA. I know of people who have paid the agent to find the tenant and then they take it over once the tenant is in the property.

I know of others who have the tenant but want the agent just to collect the rental for them and handle that side of it.

You can negotiate the actual commission that you pay…[Read more]

Pasandbec

Over the last couple of days I was in the same boat as you – considering extra job. I was looking into doing additional qualifications to enable me to teach in my field (not property inv).
I found out it would cost me $900 and six months of one night a week schooling plus extra study hours to get the ‘qualification’ to teach and then…[Read more]

Small things can make a BIG difference.

My first property took a really long time to buy. Just could never quite get over that first hurdle.

I was renting a great fully renovated place
at the time. I had been in it only 3 weeks when I discovered the carpets (only 12 months old) infested with fleas.

When I rang the agent to request the place…[Read more]

Thanks for great replies.

I think the lady who waited until the ‘kids grew up’ and then wished she started earlier hits the nail fair and square on the head.

Keep the ideas coming if you have them. Its amazing what people have been able to accomplish.

How about if you look upon those people who are asking you what you do for a living as an opportunity to ‘get the word out’ about your business?

Next time someone asks you what you do for a living, think about how it is you help people in what you do and focus on that in your answer eg. “I help people sell their homes without using any realestate…[Read more]

Allan,
If you are in Victoria, the Law Institute Vctoria (phone 9607 9461) can give you a list of local member accredited specialists.

http://www.liv.asn.au

They offer the first 30 minutes free with up to 3 local lawyers. If you go see 3 local lawyers for 30 minutes each then that would be a really good starting point. If you choose to use one after…[Read more]

Contact people who are time poor but earn a high income. Doctors, lawyers, other specialists etc.

If the opportunity is strong you will eventually find people.

But better to build database of investors anyway before next opportunity. If they say no this time and you advise later of success they will take you more seriously next time.

Ofcourse…[Read more]

Real Estate Agents obtain this information by paying a fee to a provider. If they give it out to anyone for free then it is because they may know you as a keen investor who might buy from them in the future and want to ‘keep on your good side’ by giving you something that does not cost them any more to give to you and they know you could go and…[Read more]

Jenny,
thanks for great reply. It was just the boost I needed right now. Life really is a ‘great balancing act’.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences and yes we are one one income too and quite a shock to adjust to. But others ( like you) have shown they can do it so no reason why I cannot as well! All the best with your next 10 purchases…[Read more]

If you do decide to go with using an Agent ask them what they beleive is the minimum they would expect to sell the property for. If this is still a reasonable price for you then get them to put it in writing that if they do not sell for a price more than this by a certain date that you will not pay for any of their costs – eg advertising costs,…[Read more]