hi egd,
having contracted Demolishing companies to remove old WB houses several times (in Melb metro), on similar size blocks, for developments over the years. I can say from my experiences there are several factors that are to be answered that will dramatically affect the price of the final quote.
*Does the house have any period features (windows, leadlighting, doors, door furniture, cupboards, fittings etc..) that are genuinely salvageable for them?
*Does the property have any blue stone, unique bricks etc that are genuinely salvageable for them?
*Is access to the property easy for heavy machinery ie: phone/power lines, concrete crossovers, close houses next door, trees of significance etc.?
If your answer to these points is NO than there is probably no 'market' for it. A Demolition company can come and quote on this and guide you. Also keep in mind that the prices can rises dramatically if there is asbestos in the house/garage/carports/outhouses etc.. as they may have to sub out this job, so several quotes are very necessary. To give a you a guide I have paid between $8-12k per job over the years depending on the 'degree of difficulty" for the demo guys. While its is not out of the question, it would have to be a special house to not be charged anything to remove or demolish it. In the grand scheme of developing its not really that much but it is a neccessary evil. (Please note that I'm talking about 'house re-locations' which is mostly common practice in Qld).

Hope this helps
Cheers
Hutch

Option Deeds or Option Contracts …..etc
This is in Victoria…in which we definitely have to pay stamps on Options at some stage
Different states in Australia use different wording for the same doc.
I may not have explained myself in words, but I think we are all talking about the same 'end result' method. 
As I said first up, check with your Legal rep in your state for clarification on Options the wording and its applications.

good luck
H

Diaka
Mark Unwin in Kew ticks all those boxes and more.
At this time of year he may not be taking on new clients but email him on [email protected]

cheers
hutch

Hi Tarae,
That is alot of commission but certainly NOT unusual (in Vic).
Most commission can be negotiated. Ask for full invoice disclosure on the adverts they are placing on your behalf.
Good agents are hard to find and don't forget that the is a reason that these commissions are on a percentage basis is to protect both parties from wasting their time.
if you are not happy, perhaps ask for a sliding scale of commission.
ie;
1.8% up to 1m
2.2% to 1.1m – 1.2m
2.5% to 1.3m+ etc..

Wow Devo
Your question has started a lot of posts in only 6 days. It’s amazing what happens when you bring politics into the equation (God please dont mention religion!).
It’s also amazing to read everyone's opinions on the pre/post effects of the Election, 2007 style.  
For the short term.
IMHO I think there will be 2 small % rises before the Election and that the Australian economy in most sectors will hummmm along – without too many spot fires – once Rudd gets in.

misty
I would doubt it.
I have done this several time on existing dwellings, NOT H/Land packages.
But doesnt hurt to Double check with your accounant/lawyer.
ta
Hutch

Hi Littleguy
You can do it in but in a slightly different way. If your Vendor is motivated enough, you can get your agent or solicitor to draw up an Option agreement. This allows you first option on the property (at an agreed price & terms). It helps if the contract stipulates that you can have early access to 'freshen' the place up if need be. You can on sell your option in the property to a third party (at an agreed price & terms). Thus you will only have to pay stamp duty on the difference between your option price and your sale price
ie:
in your case the Option Price agreed $180k.
On-sell the option to another buyer $220k after your term is complete.
Stamp duty payable only on the $30k difference rather than the whole $180k because the title passes through you and is never in your name. This technique is legal and used alot to make a quick profit and is not fully understood by some RE agents, but make sure you get representation from your personal property lawyer/solicitor in your state.

Hope this helps you.

Ohhh Duckster
Sun in your eyes?
Is that how you invest, or live your life?
Gee that is very lame. (a lame duck ster).

Hi Crashy
I'm in Victoria and have never heard of them.  So I can only assume that they are a QLD "business".
But Thanks for the heads up.  With service like that I hope they had little or no commision rates.
"Pay Peanuts……….."

H

Devo,

After 4 tries and 4 rejected offers. I successfully did this recently with a house (in Melbourne metro) that I drive past, and wasn't on the market. I used my current Property lawyer to do a search, contact the owner, draft up the offer letter and eventually the Sale contracts. Thus by-passing any need for a RE agent. The only fees I had where a Title search and the final lawyers ($1100) bill upon completion of all docs. It took a while to get the deal over the line but the Vendor (an old fella) who'd been there 35 years was rapt to sell at a good price with no RE commission fees and I had flexibility on the terms, so I could get development approval through.
Granted, it was a private detached house (and not units/apartments) but the approach concept is still the same.  Second option could be to find out who the Rental Agent of the unit block is and they could approach the Vendor on your behalf, but that would be a last resort. If not just ask around, you'd be surprised what the neighbours/tenants will tell you. Of course it will make things alot harder if they are Strata (separate) titles.

If you are serious about getting a certain property and getting a "No Thanks" and a small bill for a title search is the worst that could happen, then don't have much to lose.

Good luck.
Hutch