OK, when you say a written offer, you mean you go to the agent's office and sign a contract for the property, or some other form, or maybe I "scribble" my own offer on a piece of paper? It usually includes a sum of money, yes? 10% sounds ridiculous on an initial offer, but you tell me from your experience the norm.

So let's get to the crux of the matter and spell out the usual form a written offer takes, since from previous threads it's still a little vague. Thanks.

I am led to believe you should make a written offer, otherwise the vendor won't take you seriously. I don't agree. Why can't you make verbal offers? Buying a property should be no different to the bargaining you do when buying a car or TV, for example. Making written offers appears a somewhat time-wasting exercise, especially if they want you to dump a 10% deposit everytime – very restrictive.

My thinking is I might have viewed a few potential properties and would be prepared to buy any of them, depending on who is prepared to do the best deal. Could it be they want a written offer, so they can "handcuff" you to their property so you don't show interest in others at the same time?

Years ago when I was looking to buy a new car, I remember a salesman telling me I wasn't showing that I was serious enough about it, based on what I said. He felt I was just "kicking the tyres", so to speak, and maybe even wasting his time. I didn't appreciate him telling me this. So I quickly thought, I don't need this clown. I simply agreed with what he said and left. The very next day I bought the exact same car from another dealership! He lost his next sale just like that.

The point is vendors/agents should take all offers seriously (verbal or otherwise) because they might turn away the most likely person to buy their property.

OK haz, so you reckon the Liberals are responsible for all this? Let's see Rudd work his magic and turn it all around. This'll be good to watch. I'm gonna take a punt and say things will continue in the same direction.

Now that you dropped yourself in it, tell us why you voted Liberal.

With high profile people such as Robert Kiyosaki, yes, they make us think, but it is up to us to challenge what they say and not just take it all as gospel. He claimed, in one of his books, that when the baby boomers started retiring their withdrawal of investments would drain the global financial system and cause a collapse. From what he said and my calculations this is roughly 2010 – 2015 (1945 + 65). I read the book some years ago and am a little foggy on the detail, but I'm pretty sure that was the gist of it. I'm not saying he is right or wrong, but let's see how it pans out in the not too distant future.

As a share market investor, one of the things I've learnt is not to make predictions. So you won't be getting any from me. My plans revolve mainly around the share market at this stage, and I continue to accumulate investments in whatever environment is created by the Government of the day.

Haz

So you reckon Mr Rudd is going to swing all those numbers the other way and bring them under control? By the way, no need to shout.

So Yossarian, you believe, given time, Rudd will turn the current account deficit into a surplus?

He's going to bring interest rates below 5% and make it so everyone can afford the house they want. I'm looking forward to this. I'll hold off buying my townhouse for the time being then.

I am an industrial chemist and have worked in the mines almost all my life – over 20 years. When I graduated it was simply luck of the draw as to what industry I ended up in. As a graduate you take anything you can get when you have no experience. It was my good fortune to get my first offer in mining. Never have I regretted it. If I had ended up working in labs in the city I wouldn't have made much money.

I've generally always worked at the "coalface" with the exception of 3 years as a supervisor. That's the thing, you don't need all the stress of working in management to make good bucks. You can do it stress free as I do now working a basic job as a lab tech. It's a no-brainer. People ask me if I am challenged in my work. I say, "nuh, just the way I like it." Sounds strange to say that, but I left a job that was a pain because of stress. Now, I do a very routine job, make good money and fuel my investment program. The lack of stress is beautiful. I don't give a rat's about my career as a chemist. In fact, when I see a potential job talking career development, I switch off and look for something else.

Relatively speaking I don't make anywhere near as much as some other professions/trades in mining. An engineering mate who recently moved on from his head office mining job in Perth was making around $127,000 annually. He is taking up a position overseas. No doubt his salary is significantly higher to do it. But as others have said, it involves a lot of time at work. He will be 4 weeks on, but the upside is he then gets 4 weeks off.

I believe some of the trades are in very high demand, so they can command high salaries. So if you have a trade or are uni qualified and you want to get into mining, then I think your chances are good if you persist until you get what you want. If you aren't qualified, I think it's harder, but of course there are many unskilled jobs in the mines also. They tend to be very routine, dirty and physically demanding jobs. Some of these jobs may not pay as well as people believe, but it still would be much better than the equivalent in the city.
 
The climate is the other thing to consider. Lots of mines are located in trying conditions. If you have a goal, set your plan and are willing to stick it out for some years, then you can really set yourself up. I have seen lots of people who make big money, but can't keep it. What's the point? Don't waste your time in these places if you are going to blow it all.

A lot of the media coverage tends to contain hype, I think. They make out as if you can ring up tomorrow and get a job straight away. Yeh right. Maybe the odd person can under some circumstances. Those short features on current affairs shows don't give you the whole story.

If you are keen to get into mining, I'd say be persistent and register with as many of the recruitment agencies (who specialise in mining) as you can. If you can relocate to a mining area that would be a good way to go, but the expense of living there without a job initially may be snag. You could do anything to start with, just to pay the bills. You'd probably find a job in some other area quickly because they can't keep their workers who have all moved on to mine jobs! I have heard of local industry crying out for workers for this reason. They just can't compete.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts. Best of luck if you want to give it a go. You'll never regret it financially.