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Thanks for the advice everyone.
Soctt No Mates- you make an interesting point. How much would we need in the bank/on hand $ wise when entering into a contract for a house/land package? We have considered this option. I think the only thing we would get is $10,000 from the NSW government. Unless the rules change.
We don’t live together and we are not planning to until we are married. We would be married not long after buying the house as we are planning a wedding for early 2011.
My boyfriend is more than happy to sign a “pre-nup” type agreement to acknowledge the financial relationship prior to our marriage. He is not a money focussed person at all. I trust his motives for wanting to approach the matter this way.
I do believe that we can transfer the title into both our names once we are married quite easily. So to avoid stamp duty, i would say that having thought about it, we would be better off buying the property in his name and then transferring it into both our names once we are legally married a few months later.
Pro-Active makes a good point in the last post, what exactly is important for you when you do move? Transport? Proximity to the Parramatta CBD? Type of suburb? Other things?
It is really important to get a feel for the different suburbs. The areas surrounding Parramatta are vastly different depending on which suburb you are in.
However, If you give us a breakdown of MUST HAVES we can perhaps narrow the field down for you!
This is very much the case in the Logan area as well. Houses were being sold a few hours after being listed, people were begging real estate agents to put in 2nd and 3rd back up contracts on places!
It is like a feeding frenzy there at the moment. Especially for places under $300,000.
The prices are also moving at lightening speed. I have heard of people having a contract fall through on the sale of their property and then hiking the price by $5-$10,000 WITHIN WEEKS of the original listing!
Hi there, I am actuall from the Parramatta area so I can give you some tips of what each surrounding suburb is like. You said you would be moving there, so this advice is for someone who wants to live in the area……
North Parramatta is quite a nice area, it is close to the Parramatta CBD, leafy and quiet. Depending on the street, it is also has a quite a lot of character and well taken care of old historical homes. Buses and short walk to Parramatta trains. I would highly recommend North Parramatta if you want a townhouse in that price range and you would like to be walking distance to work (if working in Parramatta).
Parramatta itself can be hit or miss depending on the neighbourhood. My boyfriend lives on the South side of Parramatta (towards Merrylands) and he likes it. He walks to work and is close to everything- train, shops, major roads. If you want to buy in Parramatta itself, just check out the street to get a feel for it. Most neighbourhoods are actually pretty quiet (as long as you aren't right next to a main road).
Merrylands is where I have lived all my life. It is a multicultural area, lots of quarter acre blocks and a fair few townhouses as well. I would recommend staying away from anything right next to the train station or train line. I would recommend the west of Merrylands towards Greystanes.
Greystanes is a nice area, lots of homes on blocks and townhouses, no units at all. A bit further away from the train (nearest is Merrylands).
Oatlands is an area right above North Parramatta. A fair bit more expensive than the other areas, it is a very nice area, very leafy and more exclusive than suburbs south of Parramatta. No trains.
Harris Park is not bad, it can be a bit run down and a bit on the dodgy side depending on the neighbourhood. You can find cheaper housing that is still walking distance to the Parramatta CBD though.
Westmead is a suburb dominated by the large hospital and medical community. A lot of units of and townhouses, also good public transport. Again, check out the street before buying to get a feel for it. You can walk through Parramatta park from Westmead to Parramatta which is quite a nice stroll.
Rosehill/Camellia/Rydalmere are industrial suburbs mostly.
Ermington has a lot of housing commission, not an area I would recommend.
Granville is very multicultural, good trains and buses, a bit rough and run down in parts. Cheaper housing. I would stay away from South Granville.
Northmead is a lovely area, lots of nice houses and families. Very quiet. Green lawns, family homes. Only issue is no trains, some buses.
You can also look a bit further out, such as Carlingford or Winston Hills…both areas are generally full of families and well taken care of homes. The only issue I would find is public transport.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the advice. I am going to have a chat to the inspector today and find out why he thinks the bathroom is not council approved. I will then have a chat to the real estate and my solicitor to find out what can be done.
I just bought in the Logan area south of Brisbane. It has a reputation for a bit of a "rough" part of town, however, property is going great-guns at the moment. Property is selling within a couple of days of being listed.
You can easily find a house under $300,000.
I have read a great deal on the Logan/Beenleigh area which is apparantly set to boom over the next few years due to major growth and urban renewal.
