Forum Replies Created
When I lived in the UK the government introduced tax-free savings accounts with a higher than usual rate of interest, that were available to everyone – they were called "TESSA's". I think they still have something similar and offer a higher than usual rate of interest. You have to keep the money in them for a fixed number of years though, I think it was 7 or something like that. Otherwise you lost the interest-free benefits.
Do you have "Kitset Kitchens" up there? We are in Melbourne and have used both Ikea and Kitset. We've found Kitset to be much better.
If you don't have Kitset then I wonder what it would cost to get it sent up to you – it's all flatpack – although I would think best to get the worktops from somewhere near where you are.
Me too! Would rather pay tax on profit I've made than "save" tax on a loss I've incurred.
We had a similar siutation and went to see the neighbours for a chat. We discussed different options with them, including we buy their property right away, doing a joint venture together, and taking out an option.
In the end though they said no they wanted to stay put and nothing would persuade them otherwise.
Still worth a go though – nothing ventured, nothing gained….
We use Bristol paints.
Go to your nearest Bristol paint shop and say you're a full time property renovator and they should give you trade price – which from my experience is much, much cheaper than Bunnings.
The paint is good too!
Hi everyone
I would love to come along – is the event still tomorrow night – where is the event being held please??
Thanks[biggrin]
Hi
We live out that way – between Carrum and Bonbeach – just off the Nepean Highway – and we LOVE it – right by the beach and the Patterson River and good train link to the City as well as Moorabin, South Yarra etc – and of course, Frankston the other way.
Frankston will have great access with the new freeway coming through in 2008 – great links to Ringwood etc. A lot of money being ploughed into developing Frankston – might be worth a call to the council to find out more details of the areas targeted for large investment.
As well as contacting the agents down this way, I also suggest getting hold of the free papers as they give a good idea of the prices and types of properties in different areas – if you want some then send me a PM and I’ll post a copy to you.
Frankston North is usually the cheapest – but also gnerally the least affluent. Depending on what you’re looking for you may also want to have a look at the next Suburb before Frankston – Seaford – quite a few large blocks that are subdividable with original house on.
Also look at other suburbs out this way, such as where we are – and the Mordialic area is up and coming too – although a bit pricier – it’s still by the beach and is more commutable from the city.
I’ve just used Cleardocs – it worked for me, but agree you have to have a good idea what you’re doing.
I have a really good, basic short but concise Business Plan template – if anyone wants a copy, send me a PM
Janie
Hi Dr X
Goodness no, gosh you got me all wrong here. My negotiating skills are by no way limited to a flutter of the eylids – I would be a pretty sad and shallow person if they were – and I don’t think I would have got very far at all in life if that’s what I relied upon (and what a hideous thought anyway!)
My comment was merely intended to say that SOMETIMES using the female charms MAY help just a little bit…. But at the end of the day I’m a professional, intelligent woman perfectly capable of negotiating and dealing professionally with men and women alike.
Hi Amanda
I hate to admit this – and let down all those femanist forum members – but a flutter of the eylids and a sweep of the hair often does wonders when negotiating with male tradespeople/real estate agents/bank manager etc etc – and sometimes also doing the “dumb blonde” thing at the same time [blush2]
Why does this work? Because the majority of men are motivated by sex that’s why – I agree Amanda (and Napolean Hill) that it seems to be men’s most powerful stimuli and most intense emotion – not sure how far I would have to go to get rich by this method alone though(!)
Gosh I hope I haven’t stirred up a hornet’s nest here!!![ohno2]
Hi Editbox
Conveyancing can be easy, provided it is a simple straighforward one. The difficulties start if obstacles arise which takes the matter off the nice simple straighforward track onto a long, windy uphill one!!! There are many old posts on this site where even with a lawyer things can be difficult.
I do my own conveyancing but I’m a lawyer myself – but am NOT a property lawyer so am far from being an expert. However when I run into obstacles I do have a network of buddies to run to!
It is possible to conduct all your own searches, but frankly I don’t know if you will save much as conveyancers and lawyers have online searching systems now which make the whole searching process fairly cheap and easy. I wouldn’t advise tackling anything like the Transfer of Land or Settlement Statement/Statement of Adjustments yourself unless you really do know what you’re doing.
Personally I’d say doing it yourself is just not worth the risk or hassle – and it is hassle believe me!
However, if you really do want to play a part in it and so some running around/phone calls then ask your conveyancer/lawyer if you can do the title search and utilities searches yourself and forward them on to them. Good luck! Send me a PM if you’d like to discuss further – although I’m in Vic so laws slightly different.
Hi KSG
If you wish to discuss any aspect of applying for your trade marks, just send me a personal email – always glad to offer free assistance to forum members – and maybe save you some lawyers fees!
Hi Ozi
I’m a trade mark lawyer and will email you personally, but thought I would take off my property had and put my boring lawyers hat on for a few minutes(!) to post something here as well as I think you’ve raised some really interesting points.
It’s important to realise that registering a business and company name does NOT give you exclusive rights in the name. That is the purpose of a trade mark registration.
Also, just because a name is available to register as a business or company name does not mean that there aren’t others out there using the name or a very similar name, say as a brand name, and there could be issues if they believe your new name has the ability to mislead or deceive consumers into believing that your business is in some way related to theirs.
I’ve seen many people get into difficulties where they have just selected a name that they liked and registered it as a business or company name – and then received legal letters from angry traders who already use the name and have acruded rights in it, whether that trader has a trade mark registration or not (they may have common law rights gained through long term use of the name).
My personal advice for anyone about to register a business or company name is to first consult a trade mark lawyer who will carry out extensive searches both in Australia and in any overseas countries you wish to do business in, to assess the registrability of the name and spot potential issues that may arise from other traders using the same or a similar name.
It is also important to realise that registering a purely descriptive name is extremely difficult unless you can show an extensive reputation gained through long term use of the name (even then it’s very difficult). There are many other names that either can’t be or are difficult to register such as geographical names or those that are likely to offend.
Hope I’m not waffling on here as I try to keep heavy legal stuff away from the public forums – but if this post helps just one person then it will be worthwhile[biggrin] – and of course, feel free anyone to email me personally (no charge!!!)
Hi all
Yes we’re in Melbourne and are renovating (as usual) but not to sell. Our latest project is two houses in Warburton on a lovely flat are block in great position, which we paid $220K for. One of the houses comes complete with long term tenant and the other house is in need of major repairs. So we’re doing up that second house and once we rent it we will very nearly have it +CF. We’re hoping that the two new big resorts get built as planned which will be good for capital growth.
We buy almost everything for our renovations on the “cheap” – just got new windows from the auction house in Cheltenham and we scour the wreckers yards for stuff. Kitchens come from Ikea and we use our credit card points for Bunnings vouchers which come in very handy. If you pay full retail for stuff it can cost a fortune and erodes profits. This can be OK for your PPR but not for a rental.
Talking of the PPR that always seems to take second priority, but slowly and surely its getting there. since last week we have had an indoor toilet[biggrin][biggrin] Funny how the rentals and tenants always seem to come first. On well, one day…..
I think someone make a book of everyone’s experiences with real estate agents – would be a hoot!
Some of ours:
– Agent has wrong keys
– Agent has NO keys!
– Agent unlocks door and it promptly falls off!!
– Agent tells us there’s a planning permit and the original house can stay then gives us the section 32 which contains a demolition order as the original house is an illlegal dwelling.
– Agent no idea whatsover about the price
– Agent refuses to fax or post us the section 32 – we have to pick it up as it’s 15 pages and contains “confidential information” (Eh!! – oh and thats a R…… W………. one!!)
– Agent takes us into house, tenant tells us she’s been told the property was sold and signed up yesterday by Mr and Mrs XXX
– At an open for inspection – smell in the property is so bad that agent can’t talk and we have to hold our noses – and start wretching!Yes, letters from the Law Society/Institute are taken VERY seriously by lawyers. There are very serious implictions for unstisfactory professional conduct and professinal misconduct – and can result in being struck off, large fines or rectification of the matter. I have never had such a letter – thank god – but do know lawyers and firms who have and the letters are taken very seriously.
Most professions have an Institute or Ombudsman of some sort, so if you genuinely feel you have received treatment of an unreasonable standard then my advice is COMPLAIN![angry2] It is your right after all.[biggrin]
In my opinion (and I’m a lawyer), going to court in most small claim cases is to be avoided wherever possible – just not worth the time, cost or stress.
If you’re not on speaking terms with the neigbours then I expect they’re unlikely to agree to pay anything, especially as the existing fence is not in a state of disrepair. But if you are on speaking terms then it can’t hurt to ask – even for a small contribution as you could argue that they too will benefit from a nice new fence.
Good luck!
We always ask them for information on the properties they have had on the market for the longest. However, sometimes this does backfire when it turns out the reason a property has been on for so long is because it is way overpriced and the vendor won’t budge in any way, shape or form.
One thing we asked an agent recently was “if you were buying a house in the xxx price range, and you wanted a really good buy, which house would you be looking at”. He showed us a great house but it was FULL of termites – to the extent of the floor falling out of the rooms, and we didn’t even get to looking at the walls – we really weren’t looking to do a rebuild – but it was going very cheap!.
Yeh and add to that the higher leves of credit card and other debt that the average Joe Bloggs has and we can see why there must be some rather concerned people out there.
