It’s called a marketplace people. Instead of getting annoyed then shop around the same as you do for anything else. If you are not happy with the quality or value you get from a tradie then go onto the Internet at sites like true local and let people know about it.

If you can’t find another tradesman because you bought a property in Port Hedland to cash in on high rents then you need to do better due diligence.

You choose not to buy a Gaggenau oven for your IP because it’s too expensive, but everyone knows it’s good quality. If you get a good tradie then expect to pay.

And, Rich Sparky, if even half of what you say you earn/ own is true then people should be congratulating your entrepreneurial qualities. I’m a surgeon on nearly double what you say you make and I haven’t done nearly as well as you have! Congrats!

Couldn't agree more.

Good point. Maybe if we gave Doctors beer when they treated us, they might do better too.

Buyers agents tend to help you source, value and purchase a property – they act on your behalf. In return, you pay them a fee – either fixed or as a percentage of the sale. Examples are Wakelin and Wakelin in Melbourne. They often have their own philosophy as to what is a good house which may not be compatible with yours. "Agents", as you know, generally are acting on behalf of the vendor (or themselves!)

Australian Property investor usually has tables of info, but historical trends are a little harder to come buy. If you can narrow down the suburbs that you want then you can buy the RP data. It's sort of helpful, probably more if the suburb is a dud than if it is good. That is, if you are buying somewhere with a proven track record, then the data will support that. If you are buying somewhere dodgy, then there may not be enough sales, the houses may be variable etc.

Try looking at Realestate.com.au in the sold properties section, you can also check out house rental costs on there. API costs about $8 per month, and is well worth it – if nothing else it keeps you motivated.

The RP data I would only buy if you have a specific house in a specific suburb in mind and want to check that you are not being ripped off on the price.

Good luck

Oh yes, there's real electricity in the air now. Perhaps the idea of a web page with quotes is just a pipe dream after all. . .

The potential problems here are usually

1) Delay in building – is the house built already? It can cost you big money if you are paying a mortgage and there is some problem with completion of the project
2) The property is worth less in 2 years time. This happened initially to a lot of people with Docklands apartments, but a bit of research, common sense and a very strong nose for the "it's too good to be true" deal will help avoid these issues.

Chris

Dont worry you guys, I scored -452. Yes, I may be the only person who could survive negative one year! Not the best time to quit work!

The Western Suburbs is a generalisation. You cant honestly compare Williamstown and Bacchus Marsh, or Yarraville and Hoppers Crossing. That would make as much sense as comparing Carlton and Cranbourne, or Fitzroy and Glen Waverley. There are going to be good parts and bad parts of each. Obviously, suburbs like Yarraville, Williamstown, West Melbourne etc are close to CBD, heaps of great restaurants, views etc and are (or have been) great real estate opportunities.

Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Point Cook, Truganina etc are further out, take longer to get to the CBD (if that is what you are interested in) and have a more suburban feel. Some would say this makes them less attractive to invest in, the same way that a South Yarra apartment is more rentable than a townhouse in Cranbourne.

Just do your research and make sure that you understand what you are buying, and why you are buying it, and you will be fine.

Chris

Where did you get this done? It sounds great. I am in Melbourne, and presumably Granite Transformations is a company?