Since the banks seem to be making up their own rules on interest rates passed to the mortgage holder, it probably doesn't matter much what the RBA decides! 

You can do the "final inspection" whenever you want.  It's just better to do it as close to settlement as possible in case anything has changed that will be a game changer for you.

The selling agent is not really batting for you… they don't want anything stopping their paycheck, which doesn't happen till settlement occurs.  I don't think it is appropriate to give this task to them. 

Can you send a trusted friend or relative along, with a clear list of things to pay attention to and take photos of, and report back to you? 

But really it would be better if you were there yourself.  Chat to your solicitor and mortgage broker about the dilemma of your holiday and see if settlement can be done earlier so it's all done and dusted before you go.  This wouldn't be the first time they have come up against such a situation and they will be well-equipped to sort it out for you.

I hate the numbers also.  It'll take you forever to get this mortgage under control before you could even consider getting on with buying subsequent properties and building wealth.

Why not look at second-hand property that you can renovate to add value… or houses on large blocks futher out?

ps Jamie M, who has already responded to you in this thread, is a well-respected mortgage broker on these forums.  Give him a call and have a chat about your goals, and have him get you started on getting there.

Understand your customer.  Quite often in low-socio-economic areas there is a very healthy rental demand since not everyone wants a mortgage (or can qualify for one).  Understand the needs of your customer.  Don't presume to know the needs.  Ask point blank what they are.  (You can do this by asking tenants straight out "What is annoying about this place, or other places you have lived….. or you can attend open for inspections for rentals and listen to what the prospective tenants are saying as they wander through.  They will not be saying "Gee I wish the walls were freshly painted"… they will be saying "Oh cool, look, there are hooks on the walls… I'll be able to hang my pictures") You might think "ew, yukky brown kitchen" and prospective tenants might instead be saying "hey cool, check out how much storage space there is".  Perhaps your customer will be thrilled to bits with a property that has lots of storage, within a 100m walk of the shops, and not to have to battle plumbing issues every day.  I am investing in low socio-economic areas, and in areas that are not low socio-economic but in dwelling types that are pitched towards lower-income tenants.  If you can understand what your customer needs, what has distressed them about past dwellings they have lived in, and communicate clearly that you are happy to provide an appropriately maintained dwelling, and that in return, paying rent and looking after the property is not optional but compulsory, then …. what I find…. is no problems.  Ultimately, if after all that someone wants to mess with you, then so be it.  But you can choose not to renew the lease, and they will find that when they try to find alternative accommodation, they slam into a brick wall because they are on the TICA blacklist.  You are not running a charity… if someone chooses to mess with you despite you providing a suitable product, then you can fire the customer.  Your mortgage repayments are not optional, and accordingly neither is the tenant paying rent and taking reasonable care of your property.

Remember that people on low income will probably be home for a fair whack of the day due to either being unemployed or working part-time rather than full time, and as such might spend a decent amount of time utilising the internet, tv or xbox.  As such it is essential your property doesn't have issues with the tv aerial or phone points for instance.  Also, window coverings need to bring in light but also provide privacy (which is true for all dwelling types anyhow).

Oh wow really.  I can't quite get my head around why but I'll be super careful about putting my name and/or nominee on any contract i do not intend to buy in my name

Always respond to such a ridiculous statement (the whole "you have to sign a contract to show it is a serious offer") with a stern "I sign nothing without my solicitor first reading it." 

You can submit your offer either verbally or "in writing" but "in writing" can be email or a few sentences jotted down on a bit of paper, stating your offer price, your terms, and when your offer will expire.

So… i believe the numbers were out 15mins ago.  Result?

hehehe love it, nice one Richard