Thanks for the responses, very thought provoking.
Approx 65% of my gross pay has been going into my negatively geared IP’s for the last two years (so able to claim the 50% CGT discount method). I am also paying off my own mortgage which is non tax deductible so I am wanting to pay off that mortgage and then start up again in a more tax effective…[Read more]

apologies for the typo, units were purchased Oct 04 not 05, therefore have been owned over 12 months.

HI,
I rang my local shire last year for the name and address of my next door neighbour (he rented out the property) and they were happy to give me the details. My local one also has a big folder on a desk at the office that anyone can access, not sure if this is the same in all offices but worth a try.

We subdivided a block my mum owned and put the new block in my name and I had to pay stamp duty at the amount the valuer general valued the block at the time of title transfer. Love and affection unfortunately had nothing to do with anything with our family transfer. we live in Rockingham WA.

when I first started looking into Geraldton I bought myself a fold out street map of the area. Then while scouring the net for properties and looked on the map for the areas and started to get an idea of the pricing of where they were. imagine my joy when I finally made it up there to discover I recognised street names and suburbs as I drove…[Read more]

Hi, I found that driving around the neighbourhood on green waste week can be very rewarding. I recently drove past a place that had cuttings of hardy frangipani’s. I took them all, around 15 of all lengths up to 1.5m and within 8 weeks they are all flowering and looking great in my IP garden. I buy my plants from swap meets for half the price of…[Read more]

Hi All,
I bought a block of 4 units on 2000sqm in Oct 04 in Sunset Beach 5 mins north of Geraldton (for those who know the area you turn left towards the beach at the big round about on Chapman Rd). In October last year a new development commenced in Sunset Beach with housing blocks starting from $102,000 and stage one to seven quickly selling and…[Read more]

Hi Jan, I bought a block of 4 units in Sunset Beach, Geraldton in Oct and I’m very pleased with the way they are going and would consider buying again in Gero. I am also interested in Two Rocks, near the beach, the Japanese have pretty much bought the suburb for expansion so money will be moving in there. would like somewhere closer to home for no…[Read more]

Hi,
-I used an old pine dresser in the bathroom. I replaced the glass in the top cupboards with mirrors and the benchtop with a new kitchen sink, looked great!
-ripped out the old kitchen and bought two solid jarrah ones out of the paper and mixed and matched the pieces to get what I wanted.built 2 feature brick walls to hold up the bar and ran…[Read more]

I was lucky, I bought my front block (three streets from the beach in Rockingham) from my mother so did the the subdivision etc myself. It was a huge learning experience and looking back there are a few things that I would do differently but overall the finished project was worth it. This gave me the equity to go to Geraldton and buy my first…[Read more]

Hi, I subdivided a duplex block in Rockingham approx 18 months ago.
I went to the Local Council/Shire office and purchased a copy of the plan for $22.00. The land size of 1012m2 made it perfect for subdivision. I provided this to the surveyor.The surveyor cost me $1575 to come out and measure and provide a plan that they submitted to the local…[Read more]

Hi, you can’t buy a building block in the area. They are all oldies knocked down and built by the owner/builder. I think it would be the capital growth within a two year period which would make this deal a worthwhile one rather than the quick buy and sell off. prices have nearly doubled in 18 months and Ive been told that the area hasn’t reached…[Read more]

HI All, I recently subdivided a 1012sqm into two blocks, the old house was on the back, I built on the front. Ive posted the associated costs involved on another thread on this site, so if you search under my profile you should find them. I have also sent them to Calvin34 on a spreadsheet and he is putting in the formula’s so that they can be used…[Read more]

Hi KP,
I can see where you are coming from and definately agree that it has been factored into the price. I was shocked at the going price when I spoke to REA as I have lived in the area for years and it’s only taken off in the last 12 months. I would advise to demolish the front cottage and build two strata’s. My front 4×2 was valued at $440,000…[Read more]

I think there are a few of us who want it also. Does anyone know if it is going to be reprinted soon??

Hi Priya, Having never been to Sydney I can’t comment on the area. My mum lives in the back block of my property (I bought the front block from her and built my new home).
I can say that she feels very safe being back from the road and it is lovely to see the property open up from the driveway into a hidden away oasis. We were very surprised that…[Read more]

Originally posted by lisabellan:
Hi Priya,
I am a bit confused and have read your post as you are thinking of buying a back block on a battleaxe property. Apologies if this is incorrect. Having built on the front of a battleaxe property in the last twelve months I can say that a recent valuation of both properties showed only a 20% difference in…[Read more]

Hi Priya,
I am a bit confused and have read your post as you are thinking of buying a back block on a battleaxe property. Apologies if this is incorrect. Having built on the front of a battleaxe property in the last twelve months I can say that a recent valuation of both properties showed only a 20% difference in favour of my front block with new…[Read more]

Hi, As there was an existing house on the back of the block I was restricted in sizes etc. The back block is about 580sqm which includes the driveway down the side and the battleaxe area for the turnaround. Mine in the front is 490sqm. I have built a 210sqm beautiful 4×2 and have a backyard of about 4 metres which runs right along the back. its a…[Read more]

Hi,
I subdivided last year in WA. I started by getting the plan from the local council, and finding out the local rules about sizes and zoning and contacting a surveyor to look over the plans and come out and measure up. He will be able to give you a plan that can be submitted for approval and depending on what sort of subdivision you are doing,…[Read more]