Hi all,

I just want to say BIG THANKS to all those generous enough to share the details of their deals. Not only are your experiences invaluable to novices like me, they are also very good reads.

Dazz, I will tell my story once I have one to tell.

Gatsby – thank you for telling your story. I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. Yes, we do…[Read more]

Here are two tactics that have worked well for me in terms of finding places when everything seems to be selling high.

1. Go back over old real estate adverts (from 2-3 months ago), circle ones you like and see if they’re still on the market. It’s amazing the difference in original asking price and selling price sometimes. Vendors naturally want…[Read more]

Correction has barely begun here in Adelaide, so how can it be tipped to end?

Or are we indeed just talking about Sydney again (although even here I’m confused. One day I’m reading the Sydney market’s not likely to recover until 2008, the next it’s already on the mend. Who to believe in all this crystal ball gazing????)

Carlin

KH – I didn’t say the Reserve Bank had fallen for the agents “tricks”, I just said that the data on which the article is based hasn’t come from an independent source.
Yes, it’s bleeding obvious Sydney’s off the boil, and Melb’s not far behind.
Not sure what you’re getting at re-“trusting the Reserve Bank more than politicians”.
cheers,
Carlin

Just to return briefly to the article that triggered this thread re-Sydney leading the real estate market down.

I am VERY sceptical about any article that bases itself on data collected by real estate agents (in this case LJ Hooker).

While it’s obvious the Sydney market is heading slowly south, it is also clear that real estate agents have two…[Read more]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your feedback. Your words have given me a timely reality check. You’re all saying the same thing, and it’s right – of-course I need to do my own checks on this place.

Thanks again!!

regards,
Carlin

Here in olk’ Adelaide, auction clearance rates are hovering between 40-50% and places are staying on the market for months as sellers hangout for yesterday’s prices. Plenty of places to rent, so a renters dream time. So, no, couldn’t describe the market as “ticking along” here either.

cheers,
Carlin

Thanks everyone for your views.

Henry Kay, no this wasn’t a lowball offer at all. Very much in the ballpark. But, in any case, I also understand that ALL offers must be passed on to the vendor.

Still considering my next move as have now found another property that fits my needs.

regards,
Carlin

Hi Leanne,

I’ve sold 2 properties myself and think it’s not hard at all, but you do need to have the right approach and the right personality.

I found a good conveyancer, who drew up the contract and – when it came to the sale – guided both myself and the buyers through the process.

I advertised in both the main city paper and the local area…[Read more]

I LOVE these threads. I never did economics at school, so I’m learning alot from reading opposing views. And I commend you all for putting your views so clearly and in such an entertaining way.

I agree with Foundation – we need a separate forum for discussions on the state of the market. Unfortunately many of these interesting discussions start…[Read more]

Hi All,

An article in API mag a few months ago quoted an economist saying that developers in SA had been building something like 2.5 houses for every person (don’t quote me, but it was a figure like that), and that “this madness will eventually end in tears”, or words to that effect.

The latest house-building figures show that SA recorded the…[Read more]

All the best with your continuing recovery, Bear. I hope the good days are outnumbering the bad.

From a fellow SA forumite,
Carlin

Bernard Salt writes very interesting articles in The Australian’s Prime Space section that comes with the Thursday edition.

regards,
Carlin

Hi Breej,

A good conveyancer in SA is Susan Davies – ph: 041) 331-0070. I’ve used her for all my transactions, including when I’ve sold properties myself (no, I’m not an agent – just like to cut out the middleman) and she’s always been very helpful and professional.

Also, in negotiations, always remember that other properties do come along and…[Read more]

Hi Colbert1982

Sorry, but I don’t understand your explanation for making this student house cash flow positive.

I am in negotiations now for it and I’m trying to work out how high I can go, while leaving sufficient margin to cover costs + have a little over (ie: cash-flow positive).

What is “a loan that offers an offset set to your students…[Read more]

Re-“Bargains Galore as House Prices Slump” article.

Does the Sun Herald do well out of real estate advertising?

Were these properties obscenely overpriced in the first place?

Are they really bargains – what kind of yield would you get? How long would you be waiting for capital gain?

Though I haven’t crunched the numbers and I don’t know the…[Read more]

Did I blink and miss the slump?

Who does API think it’s kidding??!! In my neck of the woods (SA) the market’s only just coming off the boil, and judging by writers on this website, other areas are in a similar state.

It’s no surprise that API went from a quarterly mag to a monthly mag in the not so distant past – we’ve been in a boom and…[Read more]

Many thanks Mark for your very clear explanation.

Best Wishes,
Carlin

thanks Terry – I’ll give him a call. Good to have someone local.

Carlin

What a great post!

I join the long list with disinterested partners. It’s been a great comfort and inspiration to communicate with likeminded people on this site.

I think I have an advantage over some couples dealing with this problem as we don’t have kids. I do fear that if they enter the equation, there might be pressure to conform to some…[Read more]