If he has only just submitted plans, it will take about 2 yrs to have them approved ($holding costs) he may not have had full plans drawn up ($) and engineering calculations ($) sub division of land to sell (approx $3500) (bank may not finance new unit until sub division done). Is there council storm water in this area, if not and you are on the…[Read more]

When in doubt, don’t is my motto. There sounds to be something strange going on Why bring it forward only 10 days. You know your suburb and how hot it is but considering its only been on the market 2 wks and one inspection I cant believe there are 4 waiting to buy in this economic climate. Would they be developers, only hardliners left now,…[Read more]

If one has decided to sell, should I sell in the next six months or hold for another year and then sell, hoping I guess that the slump has finished and prices will have moved up by then.

Fern

Your probably sick of this by now but thought I would list this anyway two books look good “Shacking up: a smart girls gyide to living in sin without getting burned” and Living together A legal gyide for unmarried couples” I checked and they’re both avail on Amazon.

Fern

Made this mistake only once many moons ago. Went with an agent to view an old property. She kept asking me what I would do with it and like a dill I went into in depth detail about reorganising the existing space etc.etc Next morning I rang up to put in an offer and was told it had been sold. STRONGLY suspect agent bought it but …. what can…[Read more]

My thoughts are: What are big bouses going for in the area. Is it a $2M area?Check out covenants on demolishing and rebuilding, heritage listing, etc. Then find the biggest most imposing display home. Have soil tests done so you know if any rock problems etc.Choose either two storey (set on hill) or long low verandahs right across block. Check…[Read more]

Thanks Tools – essendon area.My preferred plumber has just re-arranged his schedule to fit me in but I would be interested in having your name for future.

Fern

Have done similar Ladybird. Bought an old house, rented that out until aprovals through. Designed two double storey townhouses. Built the back one and shifted in. Now will demolish old weatherboard and build front townhouse Approvals took 2 1/2 yrs which I thought exhorbitant but have since found out pretty normal. They were for two years…[Read more]

Didn’t mean to imply her “garden” was inside and it never occurred to me until Westinvest said that, that they might have been growing something inside the house. PM did usual property checks and I’m sure I can’t be blamed for something I did’nt even know was going on. I think you’re talking about criminals who buy property with ill gotten gains…[Read more]

Lower the rent! My PM rented (unbeknownced? to me) to female & male partners who I later found out were druggies. They were the best tenants I ever had. They were so paranoid they always paid the rent on time. She put in a beautiful garden and kept it lovely. They only came because it was cheap rent but its better than no rent. These two…[Read more]

Dont get me started on dogs. Gave permission for tenant to have a puppy which grew very fast into a rotweiller and then had 8 puppies very fast. He took about 3 months to get rid of puppies except kept one which grew very fast into another big dog = 2 dogs. Only small yard, never walked them, dogs bored brainless so they charge the fence and…[Read more]

Do not go to court unless absolute last resort. If you have children under 12-15 you will end up with only 30%. Try and make her see you will end up spending it all on solicitors etc. Make out a list dividing up things as you both see fair and then have it ratified in court by a solicitor. Very cost effective. Try and buy her out as you wont…[Read more]

I would definitely take it off the market. Rent it out for 6 months until all those currently looking have bought. Properties that sit there get known and everyone starts to think there’s something drastically wrong with them, particularly with 3 agents on it. Your problem is the first overpricing.After six months put it back on the market with…[Read more]

Mortgage hunter I would be very interested to know if you are in Victoria and if so what general area. ie North, South, etc. Is this because you are near a big Uni or what? would you attribute this too. How do you arrange the lease. Are you with an agent and therefore are you the head lessor and sublet. How do you get on if one is defaulting,…[Read more]

Last Sundays Age Domain Property Review has a complete guide to every suburb. Only for 5 years admittedly but it is a good start. Shows median price 2004 & 5, the change and the 5 yr trend, the clearance rate and total value of sales per suburb with their prediction of future sales. If you cant get a back copy, go to your local library and copy…[Read more]

Try Commonwealth (in Vic), they are keen for deals at the moment and say they’ll double my a loan when my own bank of 15 yrs wont. Also the SM said they are thinking seriously of not requiring a savings history anymore and will take lump sums into accounting. Don’t forget Super too, sometimes you can get a loan through your Super fund, but at…[Read more]

I have a girlfriend who has had a livein boyfriend for 15-18 yrs. She used to make him contribute to the household expenses each week and issue him with a receipt. (Yes, officer, he’s always only been a boarder) He had no money, she had squillions. She would offer him to go in with her in investments and whatever he could put him would be…[Read more]

Just back from Bali and bargains galore. If I had PLENTY of money (and willing to gamble it) I’d have a go. You have to go in with a local and they own the land, but you own any improvements on it. Never buy off the original owner and use him as your sponsor as its hard to prove transference from him. Lots of Dutch building there. Don’t buy to…[Read more]

Bear in mind even with a production house it will take another 6-7 mths min to get permits & build. If doing a home-owner suby it will take an enormous amount of your time to keep it all on track, decisions etc. Have you this time to spend every day. And where will the market be when you have finished? I’d take the money & buy 2-3 more…[Read more]

Don’t get me started on tilers. Brand new townhouse. I physically showed him 3 times how I wanted very expensive little tiles laid in the powder room. Guess what? Yup, laid the wrong way. I rang immediately I saw them, no worries he could fix immediately, only troublel was when he pulled them off and put them back they are all wobbly, which I…[Read more]