Bad*

Richard our insurance (suncirp) was very adament that they wouldn't cover this. Curious who you are using?

Thank you everyone. For some reason I didn't see these responses until just now. It's all a bit small on the iPhone

Carpet is replaced. We bit the bullet and did the whole house as all the bedrooms were old and daggy and mismatched so we didn't want to make this worse. We paid a little over $2000 and it sounds like that is on the high side…[Read more]

Great to hear – just wish they had an agency in Mackay!

Oh gosh Wilkins that is disappointing but I have to say after my experience not surprising. I was quite shocked to find also that there are obviously more referral relationships that govern what people say on here than I had realized. Eager to help in a public setting but very quiet when approached privately with more confronting questions!

We almost did as freckle and a few others know.

Daniel did a good first meeting that got us pumped and made us feel important. We were 90% of the way convinced but something didn't sit right with me. I did some research and also asked some of the members on here privately for their opinion. There were some concerns over vals among other…[Read more]

I have found Toowoomba City Realty to be fantastic over the past few months.

After two years with LJ Hooker our tenant decided to vacate and that's when the true service there became apparent. It was not part of their policy to work weekends…as an agent I think this is crazy when a result is not being achieved and they also do not advertise…[Read more]

I hope your travels are going well Freckle

I went to the 'Think and Grow Rich' seminar about two years ago. I must say I enjoyed it and found the hype a bit inspirational. Also took little tid bits here and there from each speaker.

BUT, I made two mistakes…I took my credit card and I took my mum!

On the way in I pre-warned her 'mum what ever you do don't sign up for anything'.

Fast…[Read more]

After reading property investing material for around ten years I finally got to Rich Dad Poor Dad recently. Kind of under whelming!

We have bought in the better western side of Wilsonton Heights and for two years have had our golden tenant aka. the best of the three properties we own. Hasn't improved much in terms of capital growth but doesn't cost us much and a rent increase has just been issued. Steer clear of the Wine Street name suburbs.

Can also say that the tradies in…[Read more]

Quality suburbs – Rangeville, East Toowoomba, Areas of Centenary Heights and South Toowoomba (East of Ruthven St)  This is the area that I look in.  Older style houses do have some asbestos but usually just wet areas. (not sure if this is a concern for you)

Steer clear of Harlaxton, bad area. 

I would say that Bfree2live is pretty spot on with…[Read more]

Yes, negotiating the contract details before signing is so important. 

We don't pay re-letting fees at all if the same tenant stays on. They have competition from other agencies so they always agree to this. Also cross out any notice period and reduce it to 30 days or less.

Nurse 1 definitely look for another manager provided you are able to get…[Read more]

Hi Wilko,

We recently had our place in Mackay re-routed due to a leak. The quote we got was as follows and the apprentice was charged out at apprentice rates. Quotes I got varied from $70 – $99/hr for labour. Also the total quote costs ranged from $3,500 to $20,000 so it really can vary depending on the contractor!

I know it is different work…[Read more]

Hi Panno,

I have learned in the past year that when things go wrong, PMs need to be managed. Tell them exactly what you want to happen, make them run ANY out-of-the ordinary costs by you first before going ahead and also ring them every single day until you get the desired result. It is annoying but it covers all bases and gives you more control.…[Read more]

What has made them change their mind?

I agree about watching your PMs…we have had some interesting experiences with ours of late. One double charging us for bills, another telling lies because she was lazy. I feel like I have to micro manager my managers which is frustrating!

I will say as a tenant that we always pull the battery out of the smoke detector. Bad I know but the thing…[Read more]

I think Terry has it in the bag!

Relieved for you!

I have always done my due diligence…researching areas, sold prices, demographics, vacancy rates, visiting the area, working out the good suburbs from the bad, talking to the locals, visiting property after property and yet I have just pulled myself out of bed after having a mini break down.

I gave myself half an hour to cry and be frustrated…[Read more]