I have a Marketing background. My last job was as a Product Manager for a national brand.

I accepted this role, then two weeks before I was due to start the world trade centres collapsed.

So I started the job, and there I was on the 26th floor having a meeting with my new manager. I was seated facing looking out towards window.

I see a large…[Read more]

This is what I would do ifI was you:

1. Look around the suburbs that you live in within a 15 minutes drive radius.

2. Identify all 1 or 2 bedroom flats/units that are for sale in the price range you are looking at.

3. Make a list of them.

4. Go and visit every one of them.

5. Pick the ones you like.

6. Start making offers. if you don’t…[Read more]

Crashy,

… Now if instead you just arranged to get someone out and said, “whats your rates, ok, do this and leave me the bill” you may find the end price is around $800. See that, $1400 down to $800. If he has an apprentice, he may charge $35 an hour for him. So they may be there 3 hours and charge you $65 x 3 + $35 x 3 = $300 in labour, as…[Read more]

Thanks for responses operator and suzieq.

In the last hour I’ve also done a search on this web site under ‘offers’ and found some great comments posted in the past (for anyone else interested).

thanks again.
ES

My aim is to give my children two things:

1. the right knowledge (including setting a good example)

2. a balanced life.

with these two things they should not need a handout.

Tempting I know to plan to give them a house – and yes it probably seams hard to do – but imo giving them the other two is actually the much more difficult one and I think…[Read more]

try the respective local council web sites for some of the information.

contact the ‘tourist information’ centre amd see of a chin wag with the person on the desk that day will give any helpful insights.

The Wild One,
great thread. Thanks for posting it.

As I read your thread I took it to mean that one should do as much DD as they can and then when they feel reasonably confident that you make a move.

Not a reackless one that they can put themselves out of the investment game for years if it goes wrong – just A move forward. Then learn as they…[Read more]

Find out all the negative issues regarding this house (as you are doing) and then lower your price accordingly.

The owner my be desperate to sell by now and you may be able to get it with an 11 or 12% return.

I think all property is good at the right price.

So factor in a broken window and termite treatment etc every couple of years into your…[Read more]

I seam to recall some legislation talk a few years ago stating that only plumbers could change the washers on taps. (Or was it that they were trying to introduce this legislation??)

The point being that if the place was flooded by taps that had washers installed incorrectly then the insurance company would not cover for the damage.

Perhaps you…[Read more]

KylesM77,
another way of not mortgaging yourself to the hilt is to buy a plain looking house with subdividable backyard that you can comfortably afford (use the FHOG if you are eligible) and then subdivide the backyard and sell it off to help pay down your mortgage.

(care when you negotiate to buy the property you are not paying for the option of…[Read more]

Dazzling,

Many years ago I came across an advertisement by Microsoft in a glossy magazine. It showed a young couple having a terrific time doing the waltz (dips and all) and a couple of people in the background sitting on the chairs by the wall.

The caption in the bottom said:

Remember what you missed out on because you thought it was too…[Read more]

Redwing,
sounds like you’ve got a great balance between the investment ‘job’ and the family time. It sounds great to me.

We will hae a quiet one this weekend because we are unable to get out of the house – unless we walk. No too many properties walking distance to see. Although I am planning next weekend to resemble your current…[Read more]

My suggestion is to make an appointment to meet every property manager in the area. Ask lots of questions and then you should go with your gut feel on who is the better ‘person’.

Don’t go with the glossiest brochures because after you’ve signed up its is not the glossy brochures that will manage the tenant it is the person – property manager- on…[Read more]

Trav, excellent idea. Do that asap.

Dazzling, I think you were spot on. I could not have put it better myself and nobody else did either – unfortunately for Trav.

Trav, you are in a real window of opportunity here at 22 years of age. Get out of home asap. Even though you are saving being at home – it may be costing you more than you realise.…[Read more]

Kitee, do a search on past posts. there are heaps of suggestions

Also, I wonder if they can make payments via Automatic Direct Payments. Either directly from their daily operating accounts on the same day (or next day) that their wages are deposited into that account.

These used to be called periodic payments when I organised them for myself years ago. (This is how I saved for my first house deposit) But…[Read more]

I think you inherently have learned traits. Wtih these learned traits you are likely to make decisions later in your life. I also believe that the older you are the bigger the consequences of that mistake.

Therefore the sooner you let your kids go the sooner they will make their mistakes and learn from them. So whilst it is really hard to…[Read more]

Go or a darker neutral colour.

Brown or grey.

I know they sound drab, but they don’t show up marks and will act as a non offensive backdrop to anyone’s furniture.

If you choose a colour or pattern then that will easily date and more easily clash with many types of furniture.

Depreciator,
great post. I know properties that are inner city which have ‘enjoyed’ the same rental for the last 4 years because of the amount of stock on the market.

These ideas to do something different and get a tenant in straight away or maybe even increase the rental in today’s market (or some areas) are great.

Any more ideas anyone?? Has…[Read more]

WaySolid,
love that proverb.
ES