Firstly, welcome to the forum Jodee.

I am new here to, but I think being here is the first step to your goal.

Have a look in the Finance section for relevant threads. Also, it may help to speak with one of the Mortgage Brokers lurking around here…

Good luck

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

To control kids access I suggest:

1. Parental control filter software.
2. Use a small network or OS capable of setting up different access rights.
ie. Using Windows XP on NTFS (not FAT32) you can give limited access accounts to kids, then they can’t change/install things that the ‘Administrator’ (you) doesn’t want them to.

I use a wireless ADSL modem/router, XP with NTFS, control software & the “big brother” is watching approach. To date we have had No problems [^]

Good Luck with your setup.

ps. I use internode [^] they are great for my usage

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

Firstly, I know 5/8 of stuff all about investment.

But, I am fairly proficient at maths. If you borrow $x and fix the rate at 0.5% higher than available variable rate, then after 6 months rates rise by 0.5%, then another 6 months later they rise again by 0.5%, then you have broken even against the variable rate. And this is after 1.0% rise in only 12 months. You may come out in front if rates hike to the moon, but how high are they likely to go?? (I honestly have no idea)

I to want to know what Yack is asking – Has anyone beaten the Bank by fixing rates?
Surely on balance of averages, the variable rate wins – or else Banks wouldn’t offer fixed rates ’cause they definitely wouldn’t want to be losing money on them…

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I used to live in Innisfail once upon a time… not to far from Ingham and I only know this:

The sugar industry is feeling the pinch and the Aust/US freetrade agreement did nothing to help. The area is predominately primary producers – sugar cane growers. From an economic standpoint I would be cautious.

Then again I know 5/8 of stuff all. That is just how I see it. I have heard of Mt Morgan but that is about it…

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I would like to add to the Townsville/Cairns sub-thread.

Townsville has a large population with regular turnover for mainly ADF and Uni pers. Hence, there is generally a good property demand. ADF numbers including family would rival the Uni presence (in my opinion) & they tend to have more disposable income.

Cairns is tourism based. High transient population and the area is is starting to lift again… because tourism is. My ” ol’ man” has been doing the property investment circuit in Cairns for about 15yrs and he has seen signs of growth in the entire region not just the CBD.

Commonality: Both have had large foreshore redevelopments in recent years and this has attracted more ‘out of town’ investment.

Oh, and on the T’ville front – I have first hand experience as one of the categories I mentioned.

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I almost certainly will be buying one, but have my sights set on two.

Depends upon opportunities, but I am interested, even as a ‘new starter’ []

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I think caution needs to be exercised when blindly stating an interest rate as a %.

There are current rates advertised at 5.9% but their comparative rate is over 0.5% higher.

A figure is a figure to me… it is what underpins that figure which then reveals the True cost. I am not trying to be negative here… honest.

And good luck to those of you who have made the best of the current upward trend.

******
…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I believe Social Conditioning is the root of all evil.

I can’t think of one war or conflict that didn’t have this point underpinning the superficial issues.

Just look at Iraq – sure the Yanks like to control everything like oil, but what was/is of greater importance is regional stability. Each ethnic group in the region has some belief that a portion of the area is their birth right…

Why do 10 yr old children bear arms? It is not to get $$$ for toys/lollies… it is because they have been “programmed” that way. Religion is the fabric that ties & divides these ethnic groups, and “ownership” is a by product of these beliefs.

That’s my 2 cents worth anyway.

…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

A lot of the inner suburbs have already experienced tremendous growth over the last few years so it depends on budget really…

I still think Redcliffe Peninsula is worth investigating. No rail there but that is part of the appeal as it is on the bay. Particularly Clontarf.

As for closer in suburbs, I like Ferny Hills/Grove (end of rail line), Alderley, Ashgrove.

There are many trendy suburbs but they are places like Toowong…expensive with lower return prospects.

Good Luck and this is purely my own opinion for better or worse.

…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.

I grew up in SEQ & so have a ‘stigma’ I can not shake in regards to Ipswich… but that probably equates to me missing some good opportunities.

I prefer areas to the north east of Brisbane. Why?

Close to or on the bay, good commute to CBD, train to Shorncliffe, and the Peninsula is just too attractive to pass up.

As for Toowong/St Lucia/Indooropilly… you need to tie up a large sums of money for relatively small returns. But, I am new to all this and just starting so I still trust the number crunching.

…emotion clouds good judgement but is a defining element of character.