Forum Replies Created
Have seen this done a couple of times on TV. I thought the price they mentioned was ridiculous for what you get – around 70% of the price to re-tile (if I remember correctly). In such a case, why not just re-tile – even new plain white would look better than old style, repainted. The finished job (on TV) was nothing to crow about either. It still looked dated – just a different colour. There's nearly always extra work to be done anyway (leaks, loose or cracked tiles), which increases the cost. I've seen tilers do a large bathroom (walls only) in a few hours. Floor and walls two days (because the floor has to dry before walking on it).
Oh, is THAT All – LOL!
I thought it must have been something new coming out with the budget, etc. that I'd missed hearing about.Thanks…
To be honest, I think Jenman is a bit strange – in the Michael Jackson sense. Especially after seeing his odd fascination with some dead Australian author I've never even heard of, on the ABC a few days ago. But to give a voice to the general public on this…
Most people (both buyers and sellers) HATE auctions – and RE agents rate similar to car salesmen, telemarketers and Jehovah's Witnesses, on the opinion scale.
What people want is a set price – even if it is too high. Then there can be some negotiation and someone will end up buying a house. Oh sure, people will still go to auctions – but we hate doing it. Most of us there are thinking, "For goodness sake – why all this foolishness!? Just tell the vendor to set a vaguely reasonable price and SOMEONE will buy!"
It saves everyone's time, frustration, and means we don't have to deal with "those R/E creatures" any longer than absolutely necessary. (No matter how much RE agents bill and coo at us – we all have this image in our minds they are vultures with knife and fork waiting to dine on us.)
While I think Jenman is a bit odd… He (generally) only confirms what we the public suspected all along.
Originally posted by Mortgage Hunter:Cars are cheap in NZ because they have less strict safety standards. Second hand Japanese vehicles have flooded the market. These vehicles are not manufactured to Australian standards and wil lrequire some modification to comply as well as duty to be paid.
Thanks. I did an expired auction search on ebay and found some other info. It made me suspect the cars were jap imports. Not sure if it was from that auction or elsewhere, I also found that if they are jap imports, that the Toyota Australia service computers don’t read Japanese. Although there’s probably a way around that. There’s also about $3,000 to pay GST and import duty. Then I assume about $300 more to fit a mains charger (instead of relying on the petrol engine to recharge the batteries).
So as you said, it doesn’t sound like it’s worth the hassle.
Thanks!
Thanks – I knew of that one but discounted it (for the time being), since it’s unlikely interest rates will go down. All the talk in the media = same for now, but eventual increase.
(And we know if the media keeps bellowing about something, people eventually believe it and follow.) [eh]
Thanks, Terry…
Not everyone is hurting because of the high petrol prices. I absolutely love this “territory” as you put it. Can’t wait for the pump price to get over $ 2 / litre where it should be. Bring it on. Life will be very sweet indeed when that happens.
I’ve got to ask… In what way do you mean will life be sweet?
Petrol is dirt cheap. People in the western world have had the luxury of cheap fuel for too long. The people who really control the supply have strong intentions to change that, despite the US sabre rattling.
To be honest, I hope fuel does keep going up – a lot – and quickly. The more they increase the price, the more they’ll cut their own throat. The more motivated people will be to use the alteratives, fuel sales will decline and so will their income. The best thing the world can do is cut off income to those OPEC leeches and the countries who take fuel profits we hand them and use it buy weapons to shoot back in gratitude.
As for the reserve bank and interest rates rising – who are they to decide if I should pay more for a loan? Sheesh! I pick a low-rate loan and they say, “Nah, ah… Add another 0.5% on that in a weeks time.” What we need is (another) John Symons (spelling?) to get off his tubby backside, give the reserve bank a slap in the face and start another interest rate war – instead of falling in line like a yes man as he’s done now for years.
Allan.
Originally posted by Forklift:My question is: To “rein in” or “put a halt” to rising inflation, why is it only, or mostly, the mortgagees that are forced to ‘foot the bill’?
Heh – Well, I’m not going to be any use answering this, as I’m more confused than when I began! [blink]
How increasing the price of petrol or interest rates, prevents inflation (things costing more) is beyond me. What I can see it doing is it would stop people buying, not make anything cheaper.
Furthermore, less people buying stuff and driving their cars = businesses making less money = reduced profits = let’s charge more on what we do sell, to maintain profits = inflation rise.
I’m officially confused now.
Allan.
By the way, I did read and comprehend what you wrote. You were worrying about money when your father was dying regardless of how the situation arose.It is not about money – it’s about right & wrong. But anyway…
Hi camder…
We just opened a savings account with Elders Rural Bank. Interest is 5.65% and is
calculated monthly, but paid yearly. So, I’m not sure if the calculator I’m using calculates this correctly…[Edit] Oops, I just checked and interest is calculated *daily*, but paid *monthly* into the account – not yearly like I originally thought.
Hm… Amazing how some can judge so *clearly* from just a few lines of text. My father passed away a few days ago. I’ve read the replies since then, and quite frankly – one person at least is extremely arrogant in their assumptions.
This forum is after all, about LEGAL & ACCOUNTING. Considering that, I’d hardly make the entire discussion about my grief… Even though reading back, I DID mention this and even admitted extreme depression.
If they had bothered to read AND comprehend before engaging their mouth, they would have noticed the reason I posted here. That is, that *I* wasn’t the one that brought the will up – others did – while I was suffering – and while Dad was dying. They couldn’t even wait until he was gone to rub my nose in it about what they’d done to me/my wife/my kids – and then tut-tutted (like the dunce here) when it added to my grief.
(In other words, while I didn’t WANT to be thinking about wills, etc. it was forced upon me.)
I couldn’t wish what has happened to us on anyone – even self-righteous bigmouths. And even if I DID *THINK* what they typed, I sure wouldn’t display my arrogance by opening my big mouth to SAY it. I guess it goes to prove though, who really has the flaw.
Anyway… A heart-felt thank you to all the mature replies and those who offered their sympathy. The sick feeling in my stomach and sleepless nights are only beginning though. Although I still don’t want to face this right now, another family member organised a lawyer. Much of the advice here was the same as that lawyer gave. (Writing everything down, placing a stop on the will, etc.)
I also wanted to say – if you don’t have a will – and you care anything for your children/spouse, please make one – and write reasons WHY you want things that way. A couple of hundred dollars to save more grief on top of your death is well worth it.
Allan.
Originally posted by foundation:This speaks volumes…
I’m sorry for your loss. The loss of your father that is.
Regards, F.[cowboy2]I’m not quite sure if you’re saying I’m being petty – but if the shoe was on your foot I don’t think you’d be so anecdotal. For instance…
We’ve now found out that dad DID have a will after all – a do-it-yourself type that he did a few weeks ago. They didn’t like what was in it, so they’ve drawn up another one, had him sign it in a state of confusion and most likely destroyed the first one.
To put it in terms all us here can understand… If you bought a property and the vendor changed – indeed REVERSED – the terms of the contract in order to rip you off, would you simply say, “Oh that’s ok – I’ll let you defraud me.” I hardly think so.
It turns out that the will he did have, made myself & my wife/kids the main beneficiaries. The wife was to live in the house until she died, then it was to pass to us. Dad’s brothers and sisters are trying to make it so that we get NOTHING. Totally against his wishes. Totally behind the back of the medical staff. Totally against the law.
Criminals should not be left in peace to commit crimes.
Allan.
Originally posted by HotRod:Now changing tack a little. It always amazes me when people die the descendants always think they have something due to them.
I guess my problem is, the relatives thought I would take everything from the wife – which of course as the Paul Clitheroe statement above shows, I simply could not have done anyway. I didn’t mention before, but the wife also received a compensation payout some years ago when she was burned by the hotwater system in her housing commission property. She still has most of this money. Since then, she has had her money – and dad has had his separate – unless of course she wanted a new lounge, bed, carpet, car… That then came out of *his* money.
So she not only still has her payout money, but now is going to get the house and all of dad’s estate as well. Even the car he told everyone he wanted me to have, the day I took him to buy it a few weeks ago!
If my so-called relatives had not “helped” me (how they can think it’s help!?) and had just left dad intestate (without a will), 50% of everything over $150,000 would have gone to helping my family. She would have still had the house, just a little less spare cash. I don’t think that’s at all unfair for an only son to expect – especially when dad always said he wanted to give HALF the house AND half the money, which would have been much more than that 25%.
25% is nearly nothing to her – but it was the beginning of a future to me. But they’ve tried to take away even that pitance. (She didn’t arrange this remember – MY relatives did.)
Personally, I would rather take the view that I will never inherit any money. That way if something bad does happen to a relative that I could get an inheritance from then I’m not put out should I get nothing.That’s a great view to take – and I always adhered to it myself, until 10 years on I found myself still incapcitated. I was relying on SOMETHING to help us at least buy our own cheap home and stop being a burden on the Australian tax payer (we rent a housing commission property).
I’m not offended by what you said either…
I would have been content with a fair settlement. But I just can’t believe they could do the dirty like this – to their own relative! Where were they when brains were handed out!?
Once the will is read and this all is finally confirmed, I’m going to ask a judge, etc. to grant that minimum 25% that was due if dad had died intestate.
Then, if legal advice believes we have a strong chance of success – I’ll also go after the two witnesses on the will (the relatives that arranged for the solicitor) for fraud – plus the solicitor himself, since he did not obtain any confirmation from the doctors that dad was lucid enough to do so, when it was obvious he wasn’t and it was his legal duty to do so.
Once that’s done, I may then also think about pursuing compensation for the suffering, anguish and possible relapse of my chronic fatigue all this could have caused.
Not for revenge – but to just stand up for a change for what is right – lest they – and he – try this on someone else one day.
Thank you to all who replied – I’ll keep you informed. Please don’t stop the comments either, if you have something to say…
Also, if anyone knows a solictor/lawyer (not sure which I’ll need) in the Newcastle area, that will fight hard for a moral victory – please let me know.
Allan.
Originally posted by Mortgage Hunter:The will is an administrative issue that can be dealt with a little later on. I have no experience in this matters (thankfully so far) but I imagine I would wait to see what it actually contains. In this low time you might be imagining far worse than is the case.
Well, today it’s even worse than I’d hoped. Dad’s sister comes in and says, “No-one’s trying to do the wrong thing by you…” then a few minutes later, says that they got dad to sign everything to the wife. (How this is not doing the wrong thing by me & my family, confounds me.) She then said, they don’t even know if it will be legal (because of the state he was in).
For those reading… Yes, that’s right – another of MY relatives, trying to prevent me from receiving anything my father wanted – and want the second wife and backstabbing son to get the lot – house, plus a couple of hundred thousand – while my family struggle along in a housing commission property.
If the will is voided then you might well find that your entitlement might be quite small. After all your father does have a surviving spouse and I believe that their claim is quite strong.I have a Paul Clithereo book that says:
“If you die without a valid will and there is a spouse and children… If the estate is worth less than $150,000 (including the matrimonial home), the entire estate goes to the spouse. If the estate is worth more than $150,000 the spouse gets the first $150,000 plus all household effects, and the remainder of the estate is split equally between the spouse and children.”
That would have been preferrable to getting nothing at all (thanks to my relatives who think they’ve done me some kind of wonderful favour).
Allan.
Originally posted by Wylie:Please get in writing whatever you can from the staff who have confided in you that your dad was not in a fit state to sign a will. If you don’t get anything now, they may forget the details or worse, be pursuaded (or not allowed – privacy laws are very strange) to give you any copies at a later date.
The staff have said they do not take sides unless legally directed to by a judge, etc. But copies of the medical file can be subpoenaed since he was admitted though. (Everything that happens to a dying patient gets written down. Includine their reaction, what family were told…)
Allan.
I can’t recommend one, but I will say… My wife & I used to clean newly-built homes. I’ve also been through display homes of various other companies and seen the same shoddy workmanship.
Same tradesmen – that’s why. The reason is, most “home builders” contract the work out to other businesses. They don’t build homes – they broker the building of homes. The tiler/painter/plumber is someone you could have hired yourself out of the phone book.
No tradesmen cares much for what he does to another tradesmen’s work. The carpet is laid, the plumber then walks through without removing his mud-covered boots… The cleaner disguises the mess.
I’ve seen homes take longer to replace damaged fittings and fix mistakes, than they took to build in the first place – and the owners were still in tears at the end of it, wanting to sell up.
Here’s just a taste:
1. As bricklayers work, they don’t bother to hose down windows. Excess concete dries on glass. Cleaner has no choice, but to scratch it off with a scraper/razor blade – quickly – since you get paid per house – not per hour. So you get brand new windows with LOTS of scratches. If building is delayed and cleaner is not called in early, concrete actually etches into the glass and is seen forevermore.
2. Plumber fits resin bathtub. Resin tub has a large instruction decal that states something like: “Do NOT use abrasive cleaners such as Jif or Ajax. Use soft cloths, do NOT use scourers. Surface WILL damage.” Plumber then fits taps using hole saw/welder – drops all tools and wall/pipe refuse into bathtub – that he’s standing in – with his boots on – and leaves for cleaner, still 8 weeks away. Electrician comes along to fit IXL Tastic light/heater above bath – stands in bath – ON same refuse – IN boots. Drops wire cutoffs in tub. Tiler arrives – stands in tub on everything in there…
You get the idea, I’m sure – that’s why you’re asking, right? [blink]
Hooray for the super-cleaners – that have access to some advanced products that leave films that hide all sorts of damage from the naked eye. At least until the first few baths are taken, anyway.
Good luck! Hope you find a better one than the company we worked for. Of course, you could just do what they do and contract the work out as you go – and get the same contractors and damage that follows them anyway! [biggrin]
Allan.
Thanks all!
I may be totally out of the ballpark on this – but since you want to make it interest only, it’s probably because you plan to claim the interest payments on tax, right? So (assuming you pay enough tax to claim it back), why not a low-doc loan?
Or as you said – wait three months. :-p
Allan
No, not at all – I *am* trying to find out if it is possible though. Here’s some example figures:
I have $22,000 for a deposit.
Partner in deal thinks he can equal this, given a few weeks.(If a 30-day contract was signed, we would also be able to add a little more to the deposit amount in that time.)
Anyway… Say both our deposits together equal $44,000 – well, this happens to be 20% of the property purchase price of $220,000. So before I count closing costs, we are at 80% LVR – just where we want to be.
Then I used an online calculator to get an estimate of closing costs, like:
Property Stamp Duty
Loan Stamp Duty
Mortgage Insurance
Land Titles Office Fee
Building Inspection Fee
Pest Inspection Fee
Conveyancing Fee
Property Valuation Fee
Loan Application Fee(I also included $3,500 we would need to set up a trust.)
Since we would need to pay these after the contract is finalised (in 30 days from signing), I subtracted it back from our current available deposit/s, (so I knew these would be safely covered when needed).
And… our LVR is now up to 89%.
So I’m stuck – I haven’t even gone to view the property, or considered approaching a mortgage broker because it sounds like we cannot get a commerical loan at 89% LVR. [glum2]
Yes/no/opinions all welcome!
Allan.
Thanks!
I thought it must have been something new coming out with the budget, etc. that I'd missed hearing about.
