you do realise this is your property/business… not the agents….an IP we bought 3 years ago got an appraisal of $320pw rent from the local agent…. we felt it was possible to get a better figure & listed it at $360pw …. first people to see it on the internet took it straight away at asking figure… it's now at $400pw after a couple of…[Read more]

hi ao,full brick would probably mean you have a hollow brick or block which is then reinforced with reo bar approx every metre or so depending on engineers specs of course, especially when used for medium or medium/high rise construction for example & then core filled with concrete for strength… brick veneer  is a skin of bricks surrounding a t…[Read more]

hi Misty1 it could simply be a "spoon drain" designed to divert storm water during construction to avoid excessive run off & loss of top soil etc… Iwould take plans to council though to find out exactly what it is & whether it has any easements etc attached to it… if there is an easement you generally cannot build over it but if it is an old…[Read more]

hi phorsha,I believe that you have to honour the existing lease now… is it a 6 or 12 month lease agreement??you can review the rental price when you renew the lease (or get a new tenant)good luck though & well done getting into property so young…Mackar

ooohh… dangerous ground here… public liability…. commercial car rental insurance rates….. etc etc.

i am unsure of the rest of Aus, but in queensland now, when an agent appraises the value of a property he must also submit 3 examples of comparative sales in the area to support his appraisal value… if the property is listed at an inflated rate now it is usually the "vendors price" from my experience… we all think our homes are worth more than…[Read more]

hi Tara,personally I wouldn't waste money on geting a building & pest done…as the purchasers will want their own independent one done probably anyway… if there's a problem when you get to this stage.. maybe get one then…the agent you spoke about has been prospecting you… sure… but maybe that also shows she's active & willing to…[Read more]

I bough an IP from a "jenman real estate agent" a while back…. they wouldn't let me 'put my lowest offer in & negotiate"… I had to offer my best price & sign a stat. dec. declaring the offer wasmy best figure….. I have a fair amount of experience with real estate (unlike many people fortunately) so signed the stat dec.but still put in my…[Read more]

hI Matt,with your existing capital & potential to borrow & then re borrow I would consider commercial property as an option… greater returns & less outgoings (as the tenant is also liable for costs that are usually borne by the vendor)…. also depending on your region in Australia some potential high capital gains too… good luck Michael

hi misty1,developers aren't really offering builders term s too much at the moment even to builders, as land is getting snapped upby end users very quickly (in SEQ anyway)… and they can get their settlement in 30 days… 'builders terms' generally allow builders to proceed with developing the land without the initial full expense of pu…[Read more]

mate… I could think of a lot worse problems to have…. but if the dog didn't work try having a bub…that' ll keep you both busy… hahaha ..lol

I'd stick to my guns & my game plan for the property… I wouldn't want to spend any more than is necessary to acquire a good tenant. lso i wouldn' t tell them you plans to demolish either in case they then don't respect the existing structure & trash it…. who knows things may change & you may decide to rent out  for an extended time than you…[Read more]

I know of gogecko realty & their cut price commissions… …. crashy… you decided to pay peanuts & got a bunch of monkies… I also believe it reflects on the vendor … you get what you pay forif you had a rolls royce would you take it to the cheapest mechanic you could find??yet your property is probably worth more than many luxury cars…. n…[Read more]

are agent's allowed to keep a portion of the .25% legally…. I don't know….they are contracted to sell the property & are payable on settlement usually… if the property does not settlecan they claim a payment.??.. let me know… or should this be a separate topic???michael

hi luke,I would look first at monies available in body corp's sinking funds first before considering purchasingan apartment with potentially very expensive works needing to be done….Michael

"that I should not pull out of the contract until after 5 days and that I should pull out subject to finance."well, I hope you do better next time… & by the way the agent should know that you are not pulling out of a contract, as legally, it is not yet a contract…. merely an offer… maybe find another agent??best wishes

hi Mat,if you have a finance clause then you have no problem anyway… but as yet I believe you don't have a contract so simply fax the agent notifying them that you wish to terminate your offer… ifthey do say the vendor has already signed & try to keep pushing you into it which I doubt they would …do not enforce your cooling off period to…[Read more]

yes, never use the cooling off period if you can….but if they haven't responded in some way that the vendor has agreed in writing to your "offer" I believe there isn't a contract yet anyway…. so terminate your offer in writing asap & you should be ok

hi,do you wish to pull out of deal altogether…. or to simply add finance & building clauses??michael

I believe that if you had a valuation done when you moved in as owner occupier you mayhave an argument to the ATO… but I am not sure though… best to get professional advice onthis I suggest… from a very good accountant… not an accountant in a shopping mall… no disrespect meant here…M.