Hey Bennido,

Look at this way; education isn’t free, and so really IMO any refund/deduction is better than nothing!!!

Jo

True Aussie,

There has to be a more standardised way of gauging trends to reflect some form of “accuracy” but these people are not statistical experts, heck they’re not even RE experts!!!

The sad part, it’s not that there is no truth in what they are saying, it’s that people ACTUALLY believe their figures as “absolute”!!! People who use their statistics and bank on them; now that’s hard to believe, but true!!!

Jo

You’re spot on Aussie,

Sale price range is what is important, not statistics on median prices!!!

For example, I bought a property in Mornington. But to say it has lost $115K is crazy. There are properties priced at 170+ through to 2.5million, which ones lost the 115K???

My husband works for The Age, and you should hear some of the stories about where some of their statistics come from; it’s laughable!!!

If investors use one source of statistics to gauge market trends they are not playing the game right. To do this, (as you said Aussie) GET ON THE GROUND….and see for yourself!!!

Jo

Hi Ferris,

Welcome to the forum!!!

There are many areas in Melbourne that for years have been undervalued, and as such appeal to FHO buyers such as yourself. However there aren’t too many eastern suburb areas that haven’t already had some level of good CG. Those in the proximity to Camberwell (as you so rightly noted) are very costly however they not impossible to acquire, with some in the $350+ (excl. stamp duty, legals, or taking into account your FHOG). It really is a matter of researching the areas and property types right for you.

Try: http://www.realestate.com.au and check out the properties for sale (ie. Camberwell) and leave the “surrounding suburbs” checked, so you can see other homes nearby. Don’t forget to look at “Sold properties” which (in some cases) will indicate the price property was sold for.

Or http://www.domain.com.au (same thing) and take a look at the “Suburb Snapshot” which will provide more info about the area you are reearching.

You can also try http://www.reports.rpdata.com.au for a guide to how the area of research is faring (population, median prices etc); however Vic suburbs are currently uanvailable, but I believe they will soon be restored.

Talk to REAs in the areas of interest, check local newspapers, and check both the properties for sale, as well as those “sold” to give you an idea of what people are paying.

There is a great deal of information about RE out there i.e. books, magazines and seminars. Most of good value, some total waste of time (and/or money) but generally if you are keen enough, information can be readily accessed.

All the best,

Jo

Hi Newgen,

I am so sorry to hear about your mishap; I hope the finder of your wallet is “honest and decent” enough to return it (one can but hope).

I don’t want to get into whether money (or lack of it) is the root of all evil, but I think your little experience this morning has certainly emphasised the fact that experience always comes at a cost….and in your case (unfortunately) it was quite a large sum!!!

Bet you won’t make that mistake again!!!!

Chin up….sounds like you are blessed in many other ways (ie. your girlfriend).

Cheers,

Jo

Excellent point Jaffa, I have deleted mine as a result!!!

Thanks for the tip!!!!

Jo

But why stop there, just do SOME research about other stuff in this forum too!!!!

Ignorance speaks volumes in many threads I’ve noticed, but unfortunately that happens in real life too.

(I’ll probably get blasted for that sarcasm…oh well)[wacko]

Jo

P.S. This PROPERTY vs SHARES debate is getting pretty stale wouldn’t you all agree???……I mean, come on….drop it already!!!! Can’t we just agree to disagree (or better still) respect each others views!!!!

Hi Leigh,

For many years, I have donated my time to provide free counselling to the many “battered wives” that come through the doors of the women’s refuge that I have close association with.

Scores of women and their children seek shelter at the refuge and often new arrivals are so traumatised that they require extensively long hours of one-to-one intervention just to get them settled and to feel safe and secure within what must be a very foreign environment. It is so rewarding to watch the transformation of once very beaten women into strong independant people in their own right.

Although my role is minimal I am proud to be a part of such a wonderfully supportive team of dedicated human beings!!!

Jo

Absolutely right Greg!!!

What’s that adage “sh** happens” [guilty] I don’t see any fault on your part at all.

I hope you didn’t take my post as a personal dig at you because of my “fill in the gap” type of suggestion. Although I was referring to the REIV (which of course is for us here in Vic) I am sure other states have provision for these details as well, that is (as you stated) if they choose to use them!!! Ultimately, yes it is about personal choice.

Cheers,

Jo

Celivia,

Are you asking someone who is contemplating putting in “multiple offers” or “single offers” and who may be considering this “legitimate out”????

Jo