Hi KathlynvYou may like to hear a little background to this Cottage purchase.My husband and I own a few properties but he is not interested in renovating just buying properties that are ready to go.I enjoy the renovating side so about 5 years ago I bought a house and then he helped me renovate it.  It looked great once we finished but we didnt…[Read more]

Covering up old Louvre windowsI have come up with a way of covering up the old glass louvre windows without removing themWe are puttting up timber slats accross the window. These will be painted white.The louvres can still be opened but they are old . This way the cost is minimal as the glass louvres would have cost a lot to replace so now they…[Read more]

Removal of metal window hoods

Removing the cladding;I wanted to see what exactly was under the cladding as  I didnt want us to paint the cladding. Luckily it is chamferboards. You never quite now what is under there as cladding can hide problems.The chamferboards are in quite good condition.  The cladding is difficult to pull off but its worth it to see the original boards

Hello RacheI decided when I bought the cottage I was going to have a budget of $10,000 because if I didnt I would just buy whatever and really not try to get good bargains. Last week I got these cupboard doors with glass in them from IKEA for $7 each normally $40 each . If I didnt have a budget I would have bought them at the full price…[Read more]

I will post a pic of the house but have a look at the enclosed front verandah.  Notice the white wall these  are  chamferboards. . Its like weatherboards but wider. I believe you cant buy them any more they have to be especially made.The white wall is the original front of the house. The original verandah has been enclosed to make another room

Kitchen cosmetic makeoverBeing a small kitchen we are constrained by what we could do. Being a rental property we decided to keep the stove and gas top which is in pretty good conditionOld kitchenNew makeover (still more to be done)We got one of the benchtops and one cupboard half price from IKEA bargain section

HiAs the verandah is enclosed (they call it a sleepout) we had it polished the same as the two bedrooms.I couldnt believe the difference and it is so nice to walk on the polished floors

HiWe had the same situation once so we bought a cheap gazebo and put it up on the concrete slab.  Of course it has to be taken down when windy but for under $100 it was worth it.

Hello Nathy DThe link was of the blue house its opposite my cottage and woth over $400,000My cute cottage is the following linksI did an historical titles search on the property. At one stage in  1900 a councillor of Ipswich owned the land. As far as I can tell my cottage was buit in the…[Read more]

Great news My cottage has passed the building inspection.  My husband was there with our building inspector. I knew the first time I saw this Cottage it was going to belong to my familyCan not wait to get in there and start the makeover !I think it is 80 to 100 years old. Just doing some research on it

Hello Linar and othersThanks Linar for your nice comments.I will give some more info for those who are curious to how it is going. The cottage is a deceased estate and various family members have lived there.It was on the market for $249,000. I sat on it and kept a watch.  As its a bad time to sell I offered originally $185,000. I eventually got…[Read more]

This is the house opposite my Cottage.http://www.flickr.com/photos/ipswichhouses/2585210051/in/pool-pa_ourtownThe house next door to my Cottage is being renovated so cant wait to start my  cosmetic make over. Painting etc. I will then wait and see what is being done in the street.My bank manger has quoted the $1 rental per $1000 spent.   So I spe…[Read more]

Hello SeanKyes thats why we offered $470,000. It is on a large block, has a three car garage with office and the house is gorgeous but $470,000 is very realistic.  The guy who owns it is the businessman who renovated it so he is in no hurry to sell.  I have found out he is doing up the house next door to this one.You cant really buy all that c…[Read more]

Hello Qlds007No wont be selling. Its for our daughters and we will do cosmetic renovations and just see how the rest of the street goes.Could be land value, we may move the house or add on

I have now revealed the house is in Ipswich Qld. I was worried someone may beat me to it.I will try and condense the background.A few weeks ago I had seen a beautiful house for sale in Ipswich and saw it was up for auction. Anyway I forgot about it then found out it was going for about $650,000.   I soon noticed there were a lot of renovations g…[Read more]

Hello ScampYou have taken it so wrong. I have bought many houses without my husband agreeing ! My words were really not to be taken so seriously.I once bought a house when he was in America. I rung and said Dont panic  I have bought a house for $85,000.  We sold it at a very good profit.So dont worry my husband is ok now with it

Hello allMy Husband now knows. I said I am convinced I am right this time and I may  get someone else to do a joint venture on this property with me. NOT quite those exact words.I came to a compromise and said  "it will work but if it doesnt I will never buy another property again"I will let you know how it goes. They say position position p…[Read more]

Well Yarpos I have just put an offer in !  Havent told my husband yet !!!! Only in my name.  I have spoken to a couple  of friends and I will sort out something until my husband sees I am right !!!!!Gee I hope I am !

Hello YarposOur daughter and her friend can move into the property and rent it.  It is liveable which is good. So therefore we dont have to do any renos straight away and they'd   like to be there paying cheap rent.So if we let them  live there we can do maintenance very easily. We can come and go to do any repairs etcMy problem is convi…[Read more]