nazzysmith0153,
It is just that I am worried for my sons, that’s all.
I read a news that a 19-year-old boy was bashed because of how he looked (lebanese), even though he argued that he is an Australian, too.
I know there are lots of, lots of wonderful Australian people (well, who are the Australian now?) but we, as an Asian, encounter some…[Read more]

Appearance is everything, huh?
So those children who have European appearance get to call themselves as “Aussie” and people accept it, but those children who don’t have European appearance won’t get to call themselves as “Aussie” because some people won’t accept it.
Oh dear, dear.
His dad traveled around several countries as he grew up and calls…[Read more]

I feel it is already wrong that people call each other as Lebanese, Aussie,or Asian, especially in this topic.
I prefer not to be called “Asian” because I am a Japanese and not a Chinese or Korean.
But normally people call us “Asian” and think we are all same.
My son says, “My mum is a Japanese and my father is a Chinese, but I am an…[Read more]

I am a Family Day Care carer.
Started in year 2000. I wanted to work in a child care centre, but I didn’t want to leave my own children to anyone else, so started looking after other children at home, too.
The reality of looking after 5 children all under 5 years old at a time is not that simple.
I get very depressed in winter time when all 5…[Read more]

I am not a seasoned investor at all, but I made a written offer to a real estate agent with just $3,000 deposit for $93,000 property, which was accepted without any problems.
I heard before somewhere that agents don’t mind as long as the deposit covers their commission.
I read in a book even $1,000 should be all right.

Sorry, the building inspection was from NQBR.
TKO did the pest inspection.

Hello.
I recently settled on one bedroom unit in Manoora.
I simply asked the same agent I bought from to manage it.
They charge 7.5%.
I am not sure if they manage the unit well or not as the unit’s condition was not so perfect when I bought. I had to ask the vendor to fix the leaking shower wall and replace the hotwater tank as it was leaking and…[Read more]

Thank you very much, everyone.
I will send an e-mail to Derek for “Trust Magic Index”.
First I study about trusts, and then I will go and talk to an accountant.

Thank you everyone.
I feel much better now.

BDM:
Even a hastily built apartment block will probably last longer than you or I.

Well, that was a relief!

Thank you, Finance Friend.
It means investing in units is not so attractive, doesn’t it?
After owning units for some time and it became too old, what’s going to happen?

Thank you, Anne and Celivia.
But I didn’t inspect or never been to the city.
I just picked on internet and called agents to get more information about what I needed to know.
I made sure to include escape clauses such as “subject to finance” in case a bank think it doesn’t worth the price, “subject to building inspections” to be sure the building…[Read more]

Yeah, that’s right.
It is just I am so used to live in a small space like Hong Kong, Japan, I actually enjoy living in a small unit. You know, you can reach everything if you stretch your arms.
When people get older, warm climate, handy location to CBD & hospital, a little walk on a beach sounds very nice.
Now I’m really looking forward to retiring!

Thank you very much everyone.
I called another agent and she said 90% of 1 bed units in the city are less 50sqm. And the one she was selling was also only 40sqm and the price was $16,000 more than the one I was considering…
Well, my wonderful mortgage broker (he is from this forum) got an approval of 80% loan from a good bank, so I made an…[Read more]

Thank you for your opinions.
In relation to the bargaining power, I thought in the same way.
I offered $8,000 below the asking price and the vendor counter offered just $2,000 below the original asking price.
I went up $2,000 more, but he didn’t accept it.
The prop is in market more than 2 1/2 months because of the size problem, but the vendor is…[Read more]

Thank you so so much, Shwing.
I’d like to start negotiating.

Thank you, Celivia and Mortgage Hunter.
I will send an email to Depreciator and ask when is the good time to obtain the depriciation schedule.
The house balcony needs a bit of repair.
So now or after the repair….

It seems that many investors are active contacting PM often, but don’t they think of you a fussy investor or busybody?
I was trying NOT to contact them too often…. I thought I might be interfering their business…

I should feel more confident to contact them often now after reading this post.
Thanks.

Yes, you are right.
I will go there next week and have a look around the area.
The agent told me that a few houses were actually burned down on this particular street…..
Hmmmmm, do I make an offer?????
I’ll think about it…

Thank you very much for all the information.
With your info, I contacted another agent and asked “which area to avoid”.
The agent put up the exact street name the properties were on.
It seems the particular street is really rough.
Probably “the worst area of the town”.

How positive?
If I calculate with the asking price, the yield is 8.76%.
If I…[Read more]

I misunderstood what the agent said.
It was a privately owned house but in commission area.
I thought if it was a commission house, normally government has a long waiting list, so no need to worry about vacancy.
However, if it was privately owned in commission area, the question is “who want to live in those area when they have other choices?”
The…[Read more]