You dont have to pay your tax until the next April. In other words put your tax return off to the last possible moment

Fern

My first thought was No, what can they add above the signature. After reading all the posts, my second thought is No – if it seems to good to be true it probably is. And then I thoght I was probably taking the whole thing too seriously – so my third thought is No – just natural paranoia (?) the Nigerian scams, and the way I was brought up.

Fern

It is true in Vic that once council have approved your plans to build No. 2, subdivision will be approved as a matter of course. I gather you have checked with Council that the land meets regulation size to permit 2 homes. Are you planning to renovate house No. 1, Are you planning to live in it or rent it? Could you have it revalued after reno.…[Read more]

Congrats on new babe. First the bad news. Having new babe will be totally different to movies/TV Baby could scream day and night with colic, not breast feed, be alergic to formula, (require soy milk formula). (All happened to my DIL who thought she would go back to work after having baby – never happened) You could end up with depression and…[Read more]

The product is called Claybreaker & can be bought anywhere, just sprinkle and fork it into the ground.
On another sidebar re bonsai. Did this for years in another life and you can fast track this by planting a little tree in the ground, let it grow for a period until you get to a size you want, watch it all the time for pruning and shaping. Dig…[Read more]

Johnno2 I would be very interested to know a bit more about your friends development. What suburb in Vic, how far from t/port, shops, is it two on a block or duplex, it is 2/3 bedrooms, singledouble storey. What price range was agent suggesting to buyers. Did you think friends expectations overpriced in existing market?

Fern

Legal rights are all very well and good. Actually getting your money is a whole other ballgame. Get the rent happening again first priority and then ttttrrrryyyy to get whatever else you can

Fern

This is the order for reno
1 new wiring, inc for any big changes, like electric oven, new hws kitchen & bathroom gpos & ceiling fans etc, lights etc
2 any new plumbing req. (changing position of kitchen sink, new bigger pipes req for hws etc.
3 new window
4 new kitchen & bathroom makeover. I assume you have already chosen tiles & have them waiting…[Read more]

Definitely talk to the agent first before Solicitors. I would think you could pull out of the contract because of the Architect plans advtsg. alone. Unfortunately its buyer beware regarding the renovations.

Fern

I would lodge a Notice to Evict forthwith as this gives you the legal leg to stand on. – then go and talk to her again. Tell her “you are really sorry shes in this position, realise she’s waiting till guy might decide to return but you are in a real pickle and rely on her rent to pay mortgage and you are getting behind, will lose the house etc.…[Read more]

Dazzling what a creative way of presenting to get unbiased input. I loved it. Why not insert that good old clause whereby you can search for and sign up clients for the top storey before you actually take possession. I would be immediately emailing the property depts of all govt/type depts offering the top floor and get feedback before you even…[Read more]

I am in Vic too and you have to give a tenant 4 mths notice to vacate (they only have to give you 2wks mind). You can give them 60 days notice if – there are reconstruction, repairs or renovations planned, the landlord or his family wants to move in. You are obviously going to do both of these aren’t you???. No way go to court, your PM and…[Read more]

Michael, I realise the counter-cyclical buy theory but would like your advice on selling in a down market. I am wanting to sell a new townhouse in a really good suburb in Mar but could hold onto it for another year at a pinch. Do you believe the market in Melb will drop further, or hold steady and patchy for a few years.

Fern

Don’t know Tarneit at all. Pt Cook has massive new housing out that way and the growth corridor out from the city through Caroline Springs has been huge and I see it continuing as it is cheap compared to going out the other side of Melb. Is the block on an estate with good quality homes around it. There are some very expensive estates out that…[Read more]

Roxburg Park – I didn’t buy there when it first opened because it was Urban land authority and the next suburb on from Broadmeadows, Dallas – very low class, and I judged it would only ever stay cheap – WRONG, but the growth has gone out of it now. Craigieburn has just had a new freeway extension opened up to it from the ring road which chops 10…[Read more]

Hi DLPP, are you the old Don and Liz from NZ, in that case double hi. Yes I just came to that brilliant conclusion last week. If I can get the new T/H up and running enough, and put my existing PPR on the market late Feb early Mar, I will still catch the summer buyers, I would then have the 3 mths settlement to complete the new T/H PPR. We…[Read more]

Thanks Matthew,thats a good idea, I will talk to some agents

Fern

It sounds possible to me. My drafting guy (very experienced with the Council I deal with) told me that once approval to build has been issued, subdivision is issued as a matter of course. Speak to a surveyor too. I have built a new townhouse behind an old house and it all went as above. I wouldnt be telling the prospective house purchasers that…[Read more]

I have had aluminium cladding on a large home for approx 22 years. Absolutely brilliant as far as no painting goes – only need to do windows. It is now an IP so great. Only problem the kids did dent it throwing balls at it in one spot when younger. Will it add value – not a penny. If you ever aim to sell repaint. You may not need to replace…[Read more]

Me again, – about $2000 for water, extra for gas & power – new lines, meter etc. If power not on your side, drilling under road to bring across.

Fern