The house I was interested in has had an offer of $600,000. This price is amazing to me. A small brick two bedroom place.

I think we have been priced out of the Melb market and will just have to buy in Qld it seems

Hi Vita22 and others

I think its good to look at a property interstate as it makes you do more research. We probably wouldnt have bought the $50 report if we werent looking in Melbourne.

My husband went to Footscray Tech and cant believe the  changes to Maribyrnong.  All he remembers is the industry that was there and the quarry etc

Also are looking at Flemington also

We have booked our flight to Melb for end of January.

Have found that we can buy a unit within our  budget in a few areas.  I have since found out a relative owns an agency in Melbourne so that will be a big help for us .

How does Preston, Coburg, Clifton Hill Heidleberg  etc compare with each other?

I am from Heidelberg originally and like all areas some streets are better than others.

Would a unit very close to a train station be an advantage or disadvantage?

Hi Boshy
I agree. To go to the computer you had to go through a doorway and around just to get to it.
Now as the photo shows its all in one room.

To think there was a loungeroom with a window and door in it and now the wall, window and door are all gone

This is the window we removed and made into a doorway. This extended the main bedroom

It is actually big enough for a childs bedroom as well

The carpenter built a wall across (where the white mat is) and enclosed this area. See photo above

Hi Crashy

It just shows how important a paint job is. 

We are building a two car garage (which is not included of course in the $10,000 reno of the house)  in the same colours as the house.

Because the house is built in the lower rhs of the block there is plenty of room for the garage. One day we could also extend the house but that would be in many years time

I am also saving money and not replacing the wire front fence. I am planting a hedge all the way around the block just inside the fence. This way the hedge will eventually hide the wire fence

Cottage being painted

Timber slats.
 
I think they look nice painted white.  These hide the louvres which can be replaced one day. .

We also removed the metal window hood

We still have to remove some more of the cladding to reveal chamferboards underneath.

The house will be painted soon

Hello Crashy

I'm so surprised IKEA allowed it to be transferable.
 
I wish I could have a card like that I would just shop every day at IKEA

That was a good purchase of yours

Hello Crashy
I'm curious why did these people have a IKEA voucher for $10,000? Did they win it ?

I would be so worried paying the money for a voucher from Ebay in case IKEA didn't accept it.

IKEA are very funny sometimes like that with returns purchases etc

Covering up old Louvre windows

I have come up with a way of covering up the old glass louvre windows without removing them

We 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 can be left in place