Jac,

Do you think with all this investor activity we'll see vacancy rates rise in most areas?- I would imagine we would (obviously some areas more than others).

There are certainly some desperate sellers. One house we looked at was asking offers above $440000, then listed as $440000 now down to $400000. Bank val came in at $425 and the agent said they're still pretty negotiable. Reckon you could get it for $380 but the question is what will it be worth when it looks onto the bypass?

Money to be made if you get it right, but you could also have no CG at all. We've decided this one's too big a risk.

I'll keep you posted.

Hi,

Interestingly we looked at a few houses in Berry over the weekend and are just trying to figure out if the bypass will impact on them.  Apart from our PPOR we haven't invested there as yet.

So does that mean Berry's off the list for you or you will just try and find a block elsewhere in town?

– Rusty

Hi Grant,

I think you're right, the stamp duty would probably be on the full valuation. 

Hi Nathan,

I know Berry pretty well being born and bred there. Given the area is a 'destination' town for the Sydney mob, I don't think the bypass will have a huge effect on the local economy. However it will impact significantly on the price of some properties because of the stupidity of the planning which sees it cut the town in half and ruin the beautiful setting – sorry, having a rant! A lot of houses currently looking over paddocks towards the mountains will be looking at a concrete overpass when the bypass comes. Shoulda gone the southern route and followed the trainline

The other thing to consider carefully when deciding where to buy is the on/off ramps. You'll notice a lot of established houses at the southern end of the main street and the bottom of kangaroo valley rd are currently on the market because of the impending ramps (or possibly the fear that it will have an impact on their property.) Also I'd be a little careful buying in the new subdivision behind the speed camera heading out of town southbound (huntingdale??)  because there's been a lot of talk that the bypass would impact on the values and I think it maybe putting buyers off – having said that if you've done your research and are planning to hold it for a few years until after the bypass is finished, perhaps you can get a good equity gain because some of the blocks are well priced. Ideally you would want a vacant block in town but there's not really anything available.

Interestingly, we had friends who sold their home for next to nothing in Berry 25 years ago because it was on the line of where the bypass was supposedly going and now it's worth a fortune.

Good luck, you'll love the town of trees if you do decide to move there!

Rusty

Hi, 

I know the Worrigee area pretty well and in my opinion I think the potential tenants are probably dual income couples with a few tri-cycle motors and a dog. (Mum may work part time.)

Rusty

From my experience of talking to others, everyone has the best accountant!!

Re the wooden strips, do you mean the joining strips on a fibro wall?