You can get the Vic Planning & Zoning from this site.  You can also use their measurement tool to measure area (close enough).http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/pmo.jspYou can also measure area using Google Maps.  I used to use it a while back but I think it's now discontinued by Google itself…………….but still available via 3rd parties s…[Read more]

Similar here………Central Goldfields area, not Gippsland yet.

Thanks Jamie…………will have to keep Wagga in mind for next year.

Chickster01 wrote:
The outside of the house is the 'lookalike' weatherboards that don't need painting (does this stuff contain asbestos too?)

And what's under these "lookalike" boards?  I've seen cladding go straight over the top of an asbestos sheet house!

Chickster01 wrote:
Since asbestos seems so widely spread – does this really put people…[Read more]

Tarli wrote:
Anyone out there in a similar boat?thanksTarli

We are not 55 yet (49), and have only recently started buying IP's.  We've managed to acquire 4 in less than 5 years and will certainly be looking at more.  I haven't worked (for a wage) since we purchased our first property, and the missus is only on an average wage (works in not f…[Read more]

Not sure, but if you were given a "notice to fence", it might have to be declared in the section 32 (vendors statement) when selling your block.  Anyone know about that?

As far I always thought, you are generally required to pay 50%.I think this is the legislation you're after.http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt2.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/CA2CBD776B601A5ACA257761001FC271/$FILE/68-7733a065.pdfNot sure if it's in the legislation, but if your neighour is the local…[Read more]

Yep varies widely.I've always built my own into the house…….plastered, corniced, sliding doors etc. Has always looked great as part of the house, but price can tend to be similar to purchased ones.  I'll be buying some Ikea ones for the curent reno at around $700-$1000 due to the time involved.  Will still have to build myself, but will go i…[Read more]

I've always painted myself and therefore buy my own paint.I've really grown sick of it but can't bring myself to pay for professional painter pricing, so recently purchased a spray unit and have already trialled on a friend's new extension and will be doing the complete inside of my current rental reno in a few weeks or so.

mirandakennedy wrote:
Thanks for your input tvproperty, sounds like you are doing exactly what we want to do. Do you mind me asking what areas you look at?

Currently, I'm in Maryborough (Vic) but would also look at others like Ararat, Hamilton, Ballarat (& surrounds)

mirandakennedy wrote:
Do you live regionally and are you close to your…[Read more]

I've just completed one reno and am in the middle of another one in regional vic. Both are buy and hold for the long term as I don't see any decent profits in selling at this entry point price.  First house cost 97K and around 15-20K reno & interest – so owes us around 120K.  Haven't revalued yet, but expect value around 150K, but as mentioned t…[Read more]

Hmm………looks like a lot of the $300+ pw properties have been listed for over a month – some even 2 months.Without knowing your property, I'd be going along with reducing the rent to a realistic (market) level.  Personally, I'd need to have a good reason to go all the way out to Sunbury and pay metro rent prices.  I'd suggest the pool of t…[Read more]

ksherwell wrote:
To work out good areas to invest in, I use the newspapers to see what new infrastructure is going in. It's one of the principles how i base my decisions

Yep………….these are great.  I tend to use these every single day.  I read online all around Oz, esoecially where my current stuff is happening.You can find the most of t…[Read more]

And once you've nailed down your area, you sometimes need to go deeper, depending on what type of investor you are.After deciding the rough area  I want to go into, I tend to start using all the zoning and planning overlay maps to pin down areas even more!Because I've been buying in Vic, I use this site a lot to learn more about flood zones,…[Read more]

http://www.oldlistings.com.au can also give an indication of the previous history of listings for sale (not sold price)Might be helpful – it is for me.

Jamie M wrote:
Nice work tvproperty – just shows it can be done. What sort of renos did you carry out for the $10k? Cheers Jamie

Actually, just added it up a bit more accurately Jamie and it's more like 15K or so.  In any case, I'm happy with the result.  This house had a recently reno'd kitchen so nothing done there except the tiling and p…[Read more]

If you can buy at the right price, it can work for you.I've purchased 2 x ex commission in Central Vic and have just finished reno'ing the first one.Purchased 97K reno'd about 10K will rent for $200 pw.Property has started going up around town and now very little at this price – they're mostly around 150-200K+ starting price – even…[Read more]

You mentioned that moving to regional was not your thing, but I think it can be a realistic option.I just purchased 2 properties in a regional town (population approx 7,500), about 45mins to Ballarat and Bendigo (both under 100K each).  I've travelled longer than that to work "within" Melb so I personally wouldn't mind the drive.Good for a first…[Read more]

Terryw wrote:
Yes, that is a way around it. Pay for cash, reno and revalue. The only problem is convincing the valuer.

Yep……..My intent is to try and make the place look much better from the outside – perhaps a carport, gardens etc. – maybe an actual "full inspection" valuation rather than the usual "drive by" look might help.  I suppose…[Read more]

Terryw wrote:
Not so lucky. The banks work on the lower of valuation or purchase price

Terry – I would be interested to know if this would be the same case if I purchased a property via my LOC, did some reno's and leased out.  Then approach the bank to re-finance as a standard IP loan 3 or 4 months later.  I was hoping in my case that they'd b…[Read more]