Hi Christina

I'm a real estate agent as well as a financier and I come across this question each day.

The problem does have two sides
1. sell first – can't find the right property
2. buy first – have to sell your current home for a cheap price to ensure you can settle the purchased property.

Solution: its better to have the money in the bank, especially in a tough market when days on sale are exceeding 45days.  Sell the property 1st, get a long (90day+) settlement and ensure you have a unconditional contract before purchasing.

I would even extend to not looking at any properties until you are sold, you might get heart broken if you fall in love with  a property  and it gets sold.

Good Luck

Consider your budget, the area which you are purchasing (can you live there for 3  to 5 years). Is your job stable?

I have a few friends who live in the above towns and others which have invested. They are happy with their purchases

Depends which state you are in, a number of the grants are converting to stamp duty concessions

check this out

http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/lib/doc/factsheets/fs_fhb1.pdf

Thats true, I can't see a vendor doing this without increasing the price

I was an estate agent, between 2005 and 2009. You are true, so many came to my opens and commented how agents just ignored them.
I made a point of it, to talk to them first and always shanking a woman hand (with the rare exception)

Most agent believe the man does the dealing

But I have also defend as a number of women just stand back and let the man do it.

So, I would think saying are agents sexist is a very generalised comment

Havent seen much movement in Gladstone

I use a weekly work plan and stick to it as best as possible

Also I spend 10min before end of the day organising the next day

The bank will have to get a new one – it costs around $2 to $5k.

Get your solicator involved

I have been myself. It is a bit rich.
$69k

Here are the numbers
Upfront
50% of commission goes to the customer
20% to the franchisor
30% to the franchisee

Trail
Franchisor takes .05%

With lenders cracking down on commission rates, you can't really make money on the upfront.

last year BRW posted the average earning of a Refund franchisee @ $47k

So it would take you 3 yrs to pay off.

I would recommed going to connective, if looking to be a broker.

FYI I'm not associated with any aggregator