Hi

You will need to find out first whether your unit is on a building format plan or survey plan – that's important for determining where the common property boundary is.

Water leaks and water proofing are big issues in body corporates in qld. From your description I would argue that the body corporate i.e. strata are liable for the leaking roof and also for all damages which flow from that. Assuming that the missing roof tiles/leaking roof tiles led to your damp ceiling then the body corporate should be paying for that out of their sinking fund.

Roof leaks, if not treated, can cause significant issues especially with tenants and the loss of rent. If you have not already – start setting out your issues in writing to the body corporate. Take photos and keep records of your attempts to chase them.

Here is a recent District Court decision you might find handy when dealing with the body corporate: http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/qld/QDC/2010/70.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=magog  

best of luck!

Hi Corie,

I did mine myself.

I got all the instructions from the paint company and one of them even offered free spray hire with the paint.

I also hired a decent Gerni.  My domestic one simply took to long.

The two lessons I learnt quicky was : Water makes your tiles slippery, use caution/ fall arresting equipment.

                                                           Dont paint yourself into a corner with out a ladder.

Hi Brokota,

Saying Redbank plains is a fairly vague statement. There are a number of good and bad areas within Redbank Plains. Do you have a specific place you are looking?

Redbank Plains has been a suburb that I was formally looking at..  I live about 20kms from the suburb.  In my research I found the older areas are predominantly low socio demographic, a lot of immigrants and single parents with kids.  There are some areas near the creek that aren't classified as flood areas however water can go inside houses.

Rent returns aren't to bad.  I was looking in the 220k- 250k market and they were returning around the $300/week mark.

Much of that area is undermined many years ago and maps are just not available..  There was a collapse a few years ago and a whole street was resumed.

In the new areas of redbank plains, around whites hill etc, Houses are much nicer, often brand new.  There is a large amount of development going on and plans to go on for a long time as there are a few mines opening in Ipswich.  If you don't mind negitive gearing this could be one option but in my opinion, there will be an over supply in the area for sometime.

These house were priced 400-450k and were achieving $380 to $450 per week. I'm sure prices and rates have changed otu there since I last looked, so please take this info as my experience.

Hope this helps.

Seqel.

Hi property beginner,

I notice that you haven't provided any evidence to support the 20% claim.

You cant base you decision on someone's Claim/opinion.

Have you also been given a break down on the costs of running the business?

20% is a big claim, and I understand your interest, but no one I know makes anywhere near that profit margin.

Another issue I see is if you intend to borrow money for the investment, there are not many australian lenders that will give you the money for international purchases..  ie security is just simply to hard. (Correct me if I'm wrong all you lending ppl)

Seqel

Thank you everyone,

I'm in Brisbane.  I can tell you that my carpentry and painting is certainly improving, not so much because I want it to but simply because I cant get the help..

The reason I got the painting quote this time was simply speed, Time is a bit precious atm.