ChrisGood to hear you are thinking ratonaly abot the FHO top up. I feel many are just going out and buying on the extra few bucks the Gove has given. When the Gov. lower intrest rates & give out money its for a reasion???If i get in with the 'extra 7K' will this just be lost due to capital losses? and if the high FHOG drops back down to 7K will…[Read more]

Lina & CrashyYes you know what I think you are right.  I feel that there is something going on. I mean you have the place on the market, a cash buyer walks in and you make so many stories about no paper work from the vendor but want my offer. Take my offer, why , as its not binding.  I dont like going with agents for any business I perfer to t…[Read more]

crashyIve got an agent with a house im intrested in. I got on it fast as soon as it went on the market. Its now 4 .5 weeks and no sect. 32 at the office. They have asked me for my offer (make an offer) I told her it would be voild because no sect. 32 is available. After 4 weeks its still the same I go in and "Sorry they have not got it yet from t…[Read more]

 I think we all find it hard to negotiate with agent & vendors.  Some times the agent is the hard one to negotiate with its not so much the vendor, but thats their job.  Im finding it hard to negotiate with someone who is already cutting a loss. Any suggestions or tips ??IMO 2001 was only the start of the boom. So depending on the size, lo…[Read more]

twasGreat to hear you are doing the Cert4 you can indeed make a good living in this trade and I see alot of young guys doing very well. I think it would be a good idea to get the on the job expiriance first. If you would like to be a part of the build yourself and have a few good mates why not build to lock up. Leave the hard stuff & the stress to…[Read more]

    Picture this potential owner Builders.  You have an agreement with your carpenter to start on Tuesday the wall fraim and trusts arrive  Monday great so far, however, you get a call from Joe the builder "sorry I can come till friday" now what.   You then find on Friday that half the roof trusts have been stollen. Dont think it does not happen…[Read more]

Crashy I was always told "cash is king" Ive been in fixed intrest for a long time now yes its safe but you risk the oppertunity cost of your money.  When will the dust settle? What will be the result when it does? 10, 20  30 % reduction in assett value?  I check land prices every day I dont see them going backwards Why?  Bank intrest will fall soo…[Read more]

Hi all        I think there are some hard times a head. Im seeing more property on the market at a reduced price. Sure intrest rates are coming down however those that have got in a bit deep want out as the fear of a property crash is in the media every day. Banks are now not leading as much and they are a bit more concered if you can pay it bac…[Read more]

PaulI can see you have put a lot of thourght into the conditions of your purchase. This is wise and well done. However, most agents will look at this and since they work for the vendor they most likly will question them.  Terry W  make a good point seek legal advise not from a conveyencer from a solicitor before you sign.  Im not a solicitor bu…[Read more]

As expected the new grant of 21k would up set those who have already entred a contract. But look at it this way if I entred a contract  2 month ago I would have only got 12k but I could not find the land.  Last month the builder raised the price of building by 9k I was very disapointed. I had to pay 9k more for the same house. However building c…[Read more]

Dubin-101I understand totally. With the rate drop of 1% which I could not beleive and now the FHO grant at 21,000 today, can we afford to wait ??????   Wait,  What for ? a further intrest rate cut down to 5%.  I also have missed out on the last 2 properties I offered on. IMPO the Gov. wants to stop the ass falling out of the houseing market, lik…[Read more]

Unfortunity there is no FHO grant for a block of land, only a first home. Its applicable to your home purchase, when you entre a contract with a builder.  The first Home Grant is a great thing for first home buyers, a leg up. In fact some buyers would not own there home or get a loan with out it. However, young Invester, dont go out and buy a new…[Read more]

MisterGreat Ocian Rd. nice spot I felt it was only for the rich and then over priced. But Im sure there are some pockets along it that are still good buying. I will continue the search and know if you work hard & do your home work it must pay off.I will let you know when I hit gold.CheersT…………………

MisterGreat stuff Im glad you got a good deal. I agree you do have to work to find a bargan and some people dont like to do the hard yards. Mate, I noticed a lot of talk on this site about now being a time of uncertainty and people hanging off buying, the worlds shit about to hit the fan etc.  so it could be agood time to make an offer. Is this…[Read more]

Having spent many a weekend an Mortgagee Sales Im yet to find one thats a real bargan. They tend to attract all bargan hunters and some times are sold above current market value. The lenders main aim is to recoupe what is owed. However, as mentioned they have a legal obligation to get the max and what is fair market value. If a person owes 100k…[Read more]

HiI agree with Chris. I have a deposit with a builder since April there has been 4 price rises to about 15k plus the land price increase. My figures showed me it was cheaper to build but now if you look around you will find a place the same 2 or 3 years old for less. As to blocks of land in the country my friend they may be cheap but the cost of…[Read more]

Hi OppertunityI think your main concern is the near 1 million debt. I also think you are basing your desision on saving on the holding costs too much. You want to build in order to reduce your holding costs. ie Borrow another 5ook in order to save 13,000 pa on holding costs. My question is before you brought this place did you realise the true…[Read more]

Mister & othersI totally agree with John re. discounts on listed prices. I may add I found out the hard way.  Two offers I made on property I really liked, both cash & unconditional but with a 15% off listed price got sold for listed price. I now start again to look for another , may take 3 or 4 months to find a suitable investment. I also was…[Read more]

MacnattI dont think you need to worry about selling your house for 250k just yet. However, welcome to the realality of your current investments. Top end market property is not the place to start, to much to loose if things go wrong. " My feeling is maybe we should cut our losses and offload this property as it is beoming a financial drain and we…[Read more]

PeterThank you kindly for your reply.   May I say your site has proven to be a great resource for me, in the past and now.   May I also say I have learnt so much and beleive your site is a must to visit before entering an agents office.   What supprises me is most agents know as much law as I, very little. They asume the potential purchaser in fa…[Read more]