Check the setbacks(house and garage/carport), easements, private open space requirements with the Council. These suck up the space available for development on the site. There may aslo be vertical height envelopes if going two storey. Then seek a meeting with a Cuncil planner for some advice on the constraints of the property. Prepare a rough…[Read more]

All units have kitchens, they are on one title, two by two attached. Just plywood between! Tenants cope with the noise!
Had positive interest from ANZ and Hume Building Society.

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“Dual Occupancy” is Town Planners’ speak. It means two dwellings on one parcel of land. (Reference Albury Local Environmental Plan 2000) I am sure there are many similar meanings in other planning documents. To me it does not matter if under the same roof. However, I would recommend ensuring the roof space is properly divided so that…[Read more]

House plans – depends on the location and state.

First I would contact the local council. There will be a cost for copies…if building plans exist. If you receive a response that there are no building plans then send a letter to the Council’s General Manager. You need to ascertain the building has been legally completed. In NSW the document…[Read more]

Patience is a virtue. Well I reckon waiting for this one and the next deals will be much smoother because you’ve paid your “dues”.

Have you tried the Premium Financial Services of “which bank” instead of a broker?

Insofar as a horror story purchase, try 5 extensions of settlement as we tried in vain to get finance through a broker for a…[Read more]

Anybody dabbled in commercial or retail in Albury Wodonga? I rarely see these for sale in A/W. What are the potential yields .. any ideas. I’ve heard 10% is still available which is much better than the lower than 5% in A/W residential.

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Note #1
Depending on the size of the Council the Town Planner may be “Strategic” – generally developing new planning policies/planning rules for Council approval. They are useful in finding out a more strategic view of where the Council is heading, where the new suburbs will be, major municipal investment areas, and where the planned…[Read more]

The Victoria St development related many to not fitting with the density and building form normally expected in that particular location.. There were also some overlooking issues from the three and two storey dwellings in close proximity to existing houses. The refusal also showed the influence of the general public in being involved in the…[Read more]

Congratulations on the first step. Now what? reno or rent? Hope you check the rental market! Just walk into an agent and ask about what rental properties they have, dressed in a manner you would expect of the type of people you want to rent your place. Then you’ll see what each agent is like to deal with as a prospective rentor.

Improve your…[Read more]

You can put in wahtever condition you want. You’ve got the money, you’re in the driver’s seat. “The result of the Building Inspection report being to you satisfaction.”

Is there something to make you a bit suspect? If there are notable additionals call the local Council to check that each addition has been approved and approved for final…[Read more]

Victoria Street medium density housing proposal in Albury CBD gets refused by Council. What do others think?

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Chances of CF+ in Melbourne for a nromal house or unit are zero from my research.
Danadenong North or Frankston North may have the closest to CF+ but probably have higher crime rates and lower social economic status. But then again so did the western suburbs not so long ago.
There are CF+ properites such as serviced units in Melb CBD but…[Read more]

In relation to the original post.
Building Approvals are just what has been approved by the responsible authorities. It does not indicate the actual physical take up of the approval or of the current collection of building applications in the system.
There are periods where the number of take up may decrease as finance interest changes or…[Read more]

Writing a friendly, enquiring letter to Council asking the legality of the granny flat. Request them to call you by telephone. Address the letter to the Town Planning Manager If you don’t hear in 10 days then call the Town Planning Dept. They should be first able to tell you whether thy’ve recieved your letter and advise who is responsible for…[Read more]

Yep, Straight to the Town Planner. They’ve got the good oil. Another interuption in my day!

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Suburb to Municipality Index in Victoria
http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/localgov.nsf/HeadingPagesDisplay/Victorian+Local+GovernmentsVictorian+Place+Names?OpenDocument

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Sorry Jules1
A DA is a Development Application (NSW), ie Planning Permit (Vic).

The age does not indicate heritage status. Watch the trees though. Removal of trees is not always permitted by Council depending on the area.(Threatend Species and all that)
Check for all possible building constraints from the Council.
Eg Flooding potential
Bushfire…[Read more]

I think there is a bit of chicken and egg in the Serviced Apartment issue. The banks don’t want to lend on something they would have trouble off- loading. The reason they can’t off-load serviced apartment easily is because banks don’t like to lend money on properties that won’t sell easily. And so on and so on etc etc.
If I was a financial…[Read more]

Is the property a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area?
Are you doing additions or just internal modifications.
Are you removing any trees?
In Albury a minor internal alteration includes replacement of doors, walls, ceiling, floor covering or deteriorating frame members with equivaland or improved materials, reno of bathrooms & kitchen…[Read more]

I hope the group meeting went well. Unfortunately the date was too soon for us.
We would like to attend the next Albury Property Investment Group on the border. A midweek luncheon/snack would suit me personally. But whatever.
If you would like planning/development advice for a proposal in Albury I would be happy to oblige on 6023 8294.(ask for…[Read more]