Hi all, does anyone think that brick IPs are better or worse than timber IPs. A few people have commented to me that buying brick is better as there is generally speaking better capital appreciation and lower maintainence costs. However the houses that are in my price range are timber. I p[ersonally feel that it is easier to add value to a timber house, new paint, sand floorboards….etc
Any opinions,experience concerning timber properties.
Tricky question Silverfox.
That is like asking if four cylinders are better than six cylinders.
It really depends. In my portfolio I only have 1 brick duplex as the area I deal in is full of character homes. Also very timber based. I personally have found that the timber homes are better for me as I go for character that I can improve upon. I deliberately choose houses that have been “let go” so I can add that sparkle back.
As to capital growth ….. In my area I think the timber restored homes sell for far more than the brick and this year have had much more significant growth.
Hope this helps.
Enjoy
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(Andrew)“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
Weatherboards tend to have more land, which is what we look for.
They are easier to renovate and tend to have more character.
Apart from that, I don’t think it matters that much, unless all the weatherboards have gone rotten!Hi Silverfox,
Depending on the area, soil type, neighbourhood and general land size / building types.
If you have a clay soil, especially now after a long dry, a brick and tile house may have some foundation movement causing walls to crack, I know some people have had to under-pin their foundations to help hold up the walls.
With a weatherboard on stumps, you can easily pack and unpack stumps to keep the windows working. Just keep an eye on termites and dry rot.
Also a cement tile roof can absorb upto five times its own weight with water once the coating is gone. Brick or WB this places a lot of stress on the footings and foundations.
I believe WB or brick is not the main factor, I would keep an eye on the plumbing. Type of pipe from meter to house, type of waste pipes above and below ground. My sister has a lovely old IP with Vit. Clay sewer pipes in the ground and beautiful crepe myrtles in the back yard, every six months she has to get a plumber in to remove the tree roots from the drains.
Old galv. water pipes can be a problem too.
Sorry I think I lost sight of the question.
Good luck
Regards GregMary & Greg Bridges
It’s better to give a little than to never give at all.Hi silver fox,,,
The soundness of construction is relevant with any IP. The amount of land is also important but we tend to look for the tenant who wants to live there. We are fortunate to have an IP with a tenant who considers the residence his home. The structure is irrelevant to him. (timber frame with cement sheet cladding.)
Depending upon it’s location Bricks and Mortar has benefits over timber. ie coastal areas, high termite areas.
Take each IP on its merits..Good hunting
[
]I meant land as in subdivision potential, not for the tenant.
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