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  • Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for all responses so far.

    What I don't get with using a buyers' agent is if their payment's based on what you pay for a place, where's the incentive for them to get it for a good price?

    There's more incentive, with that charging system, to make you overpay.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for this info.

    Unfortunately I can't make that first meeting so if anyone has contact details for the organiser that would be much appreciated.

    Will try those Facebook contacts too….though I loathe Facebook.

    thanks again,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Many thanks for all the advice received here. I will be pursuing all the suggested avenues for getting solid financial advice on what to do here.

    Yes, Pully, I am in discussions with siblings and also yes, my Mum is still fully with it.

    So all decisions will be made in consultation with Mum and siblings to ensure we stay a happy family.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks Keiko….very clearly explained and I will follow this advice and organise valuations before we rent it out…..which I think is the likely path we'll take.

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    We're planning to talk with someone next week.

    However, on the idea of getting a couple of valuations done…..I'm not clear how getting a valuation done can save us from having to pay CGT. If the property ceases to be Mum's PPOR and is instead rented out for a period then isn't CGT payable on its sale and – if so – how is it calculated?

    thanks for ongoing help with this.

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for tips. Getting advice is where I get stuck…..I don't know who I should talk to for financial advice on this one. Centrelink won't give advice, understandably. Is there a particular kind of financial advisor I should see or do I just lookup the yellow pages, shut my eyes and poke a pin in to choose one???

    We're in Adelaide so if anyone has any recommendations of someone here I'm keen to read them.

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    You should definitely be making a formal complaint about this agent to the ACCC. She appears to have acted in contravention of the Trade Practises Act.
    She needs to be weeded out – this could be just the latest of other similar behaviour and will no doubt continue if she isn't taken to task.

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for tips. Businessglobal – with the industrial vinyl you used, did it come as strips like timber strips? If so, it could be the same product as I'm thinking of using. The company salesman says it's used by the Smokemart chain, among others, and is tough and durable.

    Also – was the lounge also the dining area? Mine is lounge/dine open space and I'm not keen on carpet in a dining area.

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Just an update as we are now nearing end of renovating this 2br unit and plan to have it on market in two weeks.

    Bathroom wallpaper came off quite easily with the soaking-and-scraper method.

    Tiled over the floor tiles and it's come up a treat.

    Decided to stay with existing kitchen cupboards and just repainted and put new handles + put in Bunnings overhead cupbds w glass doors. All ties in well. Just found that the existing units were in such good nic it seemed too wasteful to rip them out.

    New benchtops + knocked a hole in wall between kitchen and lounge and put in a severy bar (same benchtop laminate so ties win well with kitchen). This has really added value, I think, because the place feels so much better.

    Thanks everyone for you help. I'm going to write another post as need advice on floors.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for tips. About to start doing up a 2br upstairs unit. Concrete floors (currently covered in old vinyl and ripped carpet). Bunnings has solid oak for about $45/m – 19mm. But I'm thinking laminate wood will be cheaper and easier to lay. Solid wood would need to go on battens, wouldn't it? Whereas laminated floorboards go on insulation layer which is straight on to the concrete – is this right?

    I thought that a floating timber floor was solid wood on battens – wrong?

    Sound insulation is an issue with my unit. Any tips re-brands? Types?

    thanks,

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks Mike. I've just got back from Bunnings. I'm yet to cost it all. It's just a small kitchen so I won't be needing to buy much, but I will take your advice and see if I can find a cabinet-maker who's willing to put something together for me.

    Your unit sounds much more upmarket than mine. This is an upstairs, middle unit in 1970s block of six. Good near city location but not that spacious. Certainly not worth granite benchtops.

    Cheers,

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for that tip. I'll try your approach first and if it doesn't work then I'll hire a steamer.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Hi Garry,

    Thanks for taking the time to post such an informative review. Most people who get ripped off by dud deals like this feel so peeved they don't want to do a post mortem, so it was very generous of you.

    As for RK's wife's view that the greatest thing a married couple can do together is make money…….Wonder if she would feel the same way if she gave it the good ol' deathbed test – ie: "with my last breath, I can truly say that the most important thing Robert and I did together was make money."  Givemeabreak!.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks everyone.

    Now tracking down a steamer to remove wallpaper because I doubt the soaked sponge is going to work.

    And no, Scotty, we are not relocating the kitchen in the bathroom!

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    An interesting counter argument can be found in the somersoft forum thread titled something like "what will fixed rates do?"

    checkout the recently posted views of moderator keithj, who's saying fixed rates will only head north.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Thanks for explaining all this Richard.

    Seems to suggest that many who've fixed in the last few months have acted too soon???

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    What's going to make competition "hot up". The Reserve Bank lowering rates hasn't. On the contrary, the fixed rates went up with the big banks and other lenders too.

    So what's going to suddenly spark some competitive fixed rates?

    cheers,

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Firstmac's offer appeals if you have lots of $$$ to dump on the loan in that first year.

    We don't, so Bankwest's Rate Tracker Ultra home loan product appeals more.

    0.9% off the variable rate for three years, using an average of the big four banks variable rates to set the variable rate they deduct from. Currently 4.85% (real rate for $250,000 is 5.4%)

    No ongoing fees – just an establishment fee of $595.

    No exit costs.

    Can be interest-only.

    Reverting to Lite Home Loan product (also no monthly fees) after the three years.

    It's the best introductory offer I've found.

    cheers,
    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Dan 42 – thanks, that's what I thought (and hoped) was the case. But I read an article (which I now can't find) that had fuelled some doubts.

    Thanks for setting me straight.

    Carlin

    Profile photo of carlincarlin
    Participant
    @carlin
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 211

    Well done Karen! Thanks for sharing your success and the pics with us. I hope all your plans go well.

    Carlin

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 162 total)