[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 26, 2010 - 3:33 am

Wannado,

If you exchanged on the contract, and the buyer signed as well, then any penalties outlined in the contract will fall due by them (and that's regardless of whether or nor you're holding the deposit).

I suggest that you get on the phone to your solicitor (or better still, send through in writing) and request an update on the sale and how/when you'll get the deposit, and what penalties will be applied.  You can also engage your real estate agent (assuming you have one) to chase up the buyers solicitors and the buyer to clear the picture up for you a bit.

Good luck with it all!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 15, 2010 - 3:52 am

Hi tingtong,

I helped finance friends to purchase that town house so it's not mine!  I can tell you though that the quality is poor and the workmanship is questionable (I'm only speaking of the one that I'm involved in).  The owners have had to battle tooth and nail for about 6 months to have them address an obvious and serious water logging issue in the courtyard.

Looks like you're talking about a house – and my experience is with a townhouse (block of 12 from memory).  They have a standard warranty – where you have 3 months to report defects, and they are then obliged to repair/replace within a 'reasonable time frame'.  There were many things reported (cracked tiles, leaking toilet, crumbling concrete).  (I told the owners to go through every inch of the property with a digital datestamp camera and take pictures of every single problem, and report them straight away.)  Most of these have been addressed – but they had the usual problems of tradespeople not showing up, wrong paint colour and a general dragging of the feet.

They certainly weren't negotiable on the price, and did play what I think are dirty tricks – but my friends went through with something that I would have walked away from early on.

BUT, the one BIG MISTAKE that my friends made was that they didn't get a pre-purchase inspection (building inspection).  I did all the hard work for them and lined someone up – but they didn't go through with it.  Lesson learnt!!

Good news is that they love their place – and all the hard work is mostly forgotten now!!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 14, 2010 - 12:16 pm

http://stagedhomes.com.au/

I've not personally used their services, but I have only heard good things!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 14, 2010 - 8:26 am

Give your solicitor that handled the purchase a quick call!!  They will have the contract on file, and would at least be able to get you started down the right path.

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 14, 2010 - 8:18 am

MissMolly – I'm with sonyasal on this one!  International students are a great idea.  I had a friend who rented out 3 rooms of his 4 room house as 'home stay'.  He just needed to provide breakfast and dinner each day…..and I did the english tutoring so it was loads of fun!

That is of course assuming that you're in an area with high demand for student accomodation. 

Holiday rentals could be another thing – not ideal but you would just need to bunk down somewhere during the 'holiday season'…again this depends on the area you're in.

There are also a couple of financial guru's on this site.  Perhaps you could begin your own thread asking them for advice on your situation – can't hurt!

In the meantime, try to get through and don't give up!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 14, 2010 - 8:06 am

If it's a unit/apartment – check that isn't an issue for Owners Corporation!  A quick call to the Strata Manager should answer that.

If it is your responsibility, with your costing for a renovation- make sure that you've included money in there to cover the plumbing fix – sounds like it's necessary whether you renovate the whole bathroom or not!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 13, 2010 - 11:18 am

It will essentially come down to the contract that they have signed.  Take a look at the clauses that deal with delays or exits.  Assuming that they signed it (and it was all legit), then surely you would have legal rights.  Are you using a solicitor for the sale?

In all honesty, forget the opinions – go straight to your solicitor!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 12, 2010 - 3:33 am

Is there rental demand in the area of your IP? 

If you were to move in with parents, and rent out the property, you may be able to manage.  Seeings that you were given the FHOG, you will need to meet the requirements – there is a minimum amount of time that you must live there!

I would suggest, that you:
1. Confirm your FHOG position
2. Get a rental appraisal on your current home

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 12, 2010 - 3:26 am

I would go into their office straight away and speak to them.  I must admit that I put a clause in my last contract saying that within the first 3 months I could break the contract with 3 days notice.  There have been a couple of small issues – but nothing major – I've resolved them all with them directly and quickly.

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 6, 2010 - 5:43 am

I took a look at the link – there is no mention of the inspection days and times – make sure that you get the agent to publish those asap…..it's likely that alot of people search online at night – so the properties that they need to phone about will be left at the bottom of the pile.

There have been some great suggestions – the best of which is to go to an inspection yourself.  If you know the agent, then great – if you don't, see how they react to you…..and most importantly, give them your feedback after the event!!!

Call them now though, and find out how many hits your property is getting online (it wil be inflated today because of forum members!!!)  how many phone enquiries are they receiving, and how many people are showing up to the inspection.  Also, confirm that your property is listing on the print out of available rentals in the Real Estates office.

Basically, find out at which point do you need to work on (advertising, inspections or presentation).

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

July 1, 2010 - 10:48 pm

$1000 seems to be the standard amount that is held back – and you get back what they don't spend.  I can't tell you what is supposed to happen – but when I purchased a property (in Vic), at the final inspection (the day before settlement), I found out that there were holes in the walls, and stains on the carpets that were very well concealed.   My lawyer told me that because I'd exchanged on the property when it was in that state, I had very little option but to suck it up! 

Don't rely on the advice of your agent – pick up the phone and speak to your solicitor!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 30, 2010 - 4:07 am

Children and pets can make pretty short work of venetians!  Anything aluminium can bend and scratch easily as well.  I have a beautiful house that I rent out – and as much as I would love to have fabulous blinds – I settled with curtains which are much more forgiving!

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 28, 2010 - 11:26 pm

They suggest that you use a particular software from memory.  Give the office a call, or send through an email and they will help you out.

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 25, 2010 - 4:13 am

I would love to see pics of it when it's done!!

Is it strata titled?

If so, then you will likely need approval for any internal changes (just a letter to the Strata Managers with your date range may suffice).  Also, if it's strata, then you won't be able to do anything with the external appearance (that will be 'common property'.  But, some of these possible roofing and plumbing issues that have been mentioned through the thread may fall under Owners Corp.  Real Estate should be able to give you details of the Strata Managers and you can ask them directly for a copy of any special by-laws!

Best of luck!   

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 7, 2010 - 2:35 am

Washington Brown have an online calculator that should give you a good indication.

http://depreciationschedule.washingtonbrown.com.au/depreciation-schedule-quote/

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 6, 2010 - 10:11 pm

Keep an eye out on ebay – There was one listed a month or so ago for $115 (video rather than dvd though).

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 3, 2010 - 9:38 pm

Hi,

Yesterday I opened a HSBC US Checking Account.  All I needed was to take in my drivers licence, my passport, a recent bank statement, the filled in forms and $200 into my local branch.

This will give me the US Checking account, a Debit Mastercard (which they will send from the US) and access to online banking.   To deposit any US cheques and not get hit the big fee and conversion, then the cheques need to be deposited within the US.  

Please don't consider this as advice.

 

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 2, 2010 - 11:17 am

Hi Elle,

Your advertisment is very well written….good luck.  You could likely do the floorplan yourself – just grab some software (even Visio would do it), and a tape measure.

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

June 1, 2010 - 1:05 am

Citibank isn't going to the solution for me – so I'm checking out HSBC.

Citibank only offers a 'Multi Currency' account which means that it's an Autralian Account, held in US dollars.  This presents the same limitations as using an everday Australian account (US cheques are deposited at a hefty fee, and take 21 days to clear).

If anyone has found a way that works – please let us all know!

Thanks,
Amanda.

[akirkParticipant@akirkJoin Date: 2009Post Count: 42]

May 25, 2010 - 2:46 am

PaulDobson wrote:

Remember, what other people think about you, is none of your business 

I like that alot!!