For colours, we like Dulux Chalk USA (highly recommended by all interior designers we talked to) on walls & white on ceilings/cornice.

You don’t have to use tha actual Dulux brand….any brand will mix colours to match. We used Washable Velvet by Wattle. It was recommended by a painter friend.

All doors, frames & skirting were done in Satin Enamel (oil based). They can be techinically challenged, so we had some professional help at the end. We used the same colour as the wall but 3 shades darker, as the more reflective the paint, the lighter it seems.

I would vote for floorboards over carpet, eventhough the cost might be higer. The ‘carpet in bedroom’ idea is a good compromise.

I would also stay away from ‘laminated’ floorborads. They look good new, but don’t wear well at all…!! It’s ok if you’re just doing the “reno & quick sell” strategy….. but NOT if you plan to rent the property out. It will look tired & worn within the stay of your first tenant.

BodyCorp are a pain sometimes….. we are on committee, trying to get some old asbestos boards & doors removed & render the building to modernise it. Still fighting [grrr]………

We’ve recently completed renovation our ’60s apartment.

Yes, asbestos WAS found (in the most unexpected place).

It was actually IN the front door, which has to be fire-rated. Ours had a deep crack on the top since purchase. No one thought anything of it until we got a locksmith to change the front door lock. He found white power, freaked out, and walked out (screaming: “Asbestos!”).

We paid for an inspector, who confirmed it, also found more in the ceiling of the balcony (which we paid for proper removal).

Thankfully the front door was covered by the building insurance.

I think getting a proper inspection is pretty important; especially if you plan to have wrok done to it.

Oooh, thankyou, Frank [inlove]!!!

We are still waiting to hear from another painter (which our builder recommends).

This first quote came from the painter who does work for our Body Corporate/Building Insurance. He did our front door which was recently replaced by insurance (old door containing asbestos).

He did a quick job: two visits, one hour each. The result is quite ok (that’s why I’ve asked him).

I will try your advice! Thanks again.

I grew up in Mt Waverley & my parents own their IP there as well.

One thing I would like to bring to your attention, is that while it seems that everyone is subdividing a whole block, some streets actually has restrctions (usually put in place by the original orchard owners who subdivided the blocks) which would stop you from subdividing your block [blink]!!!

Many people bought in the same street where my parents’ IP located, intending to subdivide & build 2 or 3 units on site, have actually run into hot water with the council [hmm]….

While it is not impossible to overturn a clause/caveat that was set up over half a century ago, it IS complicated & time consuming. Many would-be developers simply on-sold & got out.

Please check with Monash council before making an offer. Lands with such restrctions may well be worthwhile (because the street is likely to have big family homes instead of units, hense holding value), and the restriction can be used as a bargaining tool [biggrin]!

Good luck with it, whatever you’ve decided to do!

Web site looks good, Xenia [suave2]!!

……I wish your service is also available in Melb [glum2]. We can do with the help …….

*Re cost of website, I can check with my other half, he builds them*

Hi Sarah,

If you want a contact number of a good mortgage broker, I’m happy to pass the contact details of the one we are using right now.

She has been VERY helful to us.

Please PM me if you are interested [smiling]……..

Quick question: is the hiring for furniture tax deductable if selling IP is your business?