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Viewing 20 posts - 21 through 40 (of 132 total)
  • Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
    Participant
    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hey Jamie,

    Where is your latest purchase/renovation taking place?

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
    Participant
    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Well, its all finished now. Tenant moved in last week paying $340 p.w for 12 mths. My estimate was $320 – $330 p/w so I am happy with the result. We have applied to refinance our loan to unlock the equity after the renovation. Very happy with the result as the property is valued at $285k. I was working towards $265k – $275k to be conservative but was hoping to crack the $280k mark.

    Gross Rental Yield – 7.82% – This includes purchase price, reno, stamp duty, legals, insurance

    Gross Rental Yield based on Rent over Purchase Price – 8.84%. Valuer estimated rent at $250 p.w prior to the renovation.

    Capital/Equity Gain – $59k – This includes Valuation less Purchase Price + reno + stamp duty

    I have included stamp duty costs involved with all calculations – Do you all do the same or not? I know when REA's calculate gross yields they dont use it so it appears higher.

    I just want to finish up this thread by thanking each and every one of you who contributed in any way. I am very appreciative of all the help you have provided me along the way. It has been great sharing my first renovation with you.

    I wish everyone the best in 2011 and hope it is a happy and prosperous year for all.

    Jacqui

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hi goldies,

    Thanks for recommending an agent for me, I will be sure to give them a call.

    What are the best areas to target for high rental returns and potential to add value?

    I am only new to Sydney and dont live around there so unsure of best areas in the west to buy or avoid.

    Would prefer a 3 or 4 bedroom brick house over a unit where possible – Under $300k

    Thanks,

    Jac :)

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    I have only been with Professionals for a couple of weeks. My first impression was the pm I was dealing with was fantastic until after I signed the exclusive management agreement. I felt like I had to manage her all the time otherwise there would be errors. She has now left and I have a new pm.

    The leasing agent there is very efficient and keeps you informed. They did manage to secure a good rent for me where some other real estate agents estimated approx $20 -$30 pw less when I called around. Although that was over the phone quote not an inspection.

    I find it hard to find a good pm in Wagga as turn over in staff is high in this positions.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Jamie,

    My IP's are in Central and Lake Albert. I have looked at purchasing an ex H.C property but mainly in the area of Mount Austin. I missed out on 2 properties which were sold at auction by H.C last year.  

    I have owned the 2 bedroom unit in Central since Sept 2008 and it has increased in value by $35k and achieves over 7% rental return. I self manage the property – leased at higher rent then the other units in the complex and the tenant is excellent.

    The house in Lake Albert is my most recent purchase (Nov 2010) and very happy with the performance – achieved $65k instant capital growth as we bought under market value, then renovated it to add more value. It is achieving 8% rental return. We have just signed a tenant up for 12 mths and she will be moving in today actually! :)

    How has your IP in Tarakan performed?

    Professionals Real Estate manage this property. The unit used to be managed with Fitzpatricks. A friend of mine recommended Eldridge – they are meant to have the lowest management fees and provide good service. Who are you currently with Jamie?

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
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    Hi Jamie,

    I lived in Wagga all my life and recently moved to Sydney.

    I have 2 IPs there and looking for some more.

    I would be interested in Syd as I want to diversify but as I have only been here for 2 months, I’m very unfamilar with what areas I should invest in.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
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    Yeah Tarakan Ave has alot better street appeal than Buna. There are more owner occupiers in Tarakan where Buna has mainly tenants or housing commission so looks pretty let go.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hey goldies,

    Congrats on your purchase you have done well!

    Can u recommend a good real estate agent you use when looking for properties to buy in the area?

    Cheers,

    Jac

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Thanks for posting your experience in Wagga ajay, I found it very entertaining.

    The part about tolland made me laugh as I have had similar comments made to myself.

    A local lady yelled out at me once “Welcome to Tolland love, I don’t know why the f$&@ you would want to buy here!

    The real estate agent didn’t know what to say and just laughed.

    Did u put in the offer on the brick house in Callaghan or the fibro one?

    Good luck!

    Jac

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
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    Updated before/after reno pic's – http://s1130.photobucket.com/albums/m538/jacqui_303/

    Hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas! :)

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
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    Post Count: 142

    I have landlord insurance with EBM on my investment properties and they cover self managed and were even cheaper than T.S.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hi naidaimee.

    I have read every $1 you spend should add $3-$4 dollars in value.

    Cheers

    Jac

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    As we moved to Sydney when the property settled most of the work was outsourced.

    Major things outsourced- Kitchen, Painting, Tiling, Electricial, Plumbing, Carpets, Wall Removal (Builder).

    Handyman jobs such as replacing all the external/internal doors and locks, floor sanding and polishing were completed by my partners father.

    We completed most of the labour work in the gardens and inside the property. We put in new front garden, new lawns and removed alot of junk/weeds etc from the front and backyards. We also had my parents help with this and a couple of friends for 1 of the weekends. Very appreciative of their help as if I hired a gardener to do the job it would of cost a fortune with the amount of work required.

    We really could only contribute 1.5 days work per weekend over the 3.5 weeks due to travelling 5 hours to get to the IP.

    Next Reno project will be closer to where we currently live and hopefully we can oversee the project more frequently. I work long hours and spend 2.5 hrs per day commuting to work so it doesnt leave much time for me to get stuck into the renovations so I dare say we will continue to outsource most of the work to the professionals.

    I think you need to way up how handy you are and if you are capable of doing as good of a job as a professional and within the same timeframe.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    House Call,

    Just to confirm,

    I am not selling – It was a Buy, Renovate, Hold project. I plan to hold the property for the long term.

    And the figures you have calculated are not accurate. If you read further down the post you would see a change in figures.

    Purchase Price was $200k – The valuation at Purchase was $215k – So I bought it for $15k under market value prior to renovating.

    Purchase costs were – $5600 for stamp duty, $1000 legals, $600 buildling/landlord insurance.

    Renovation was $20k – Not $25k. $25k was the very maximum if something went wrong.

    I have not got a valuation yet after the renovation as we have just completed.

    We do not have any sale costs either as we are leasing the property.

    The property was purchased due to being Under Market Value, Opportunity to Add more Value and decent rental yield.

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hi viv

    I bought the property privately off a guy I met so it wasn’t ever advertised.

    The suburb is lake albert which is in Wagga Wagga NSW.

    I don’t have exact figures yet but when I get time I can post them up or email them to you.

    Jacqui

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Thanks for your feedback guys.

    Catalyst – In relation to your question about if I would do it again – YES DEFINATELY, I loved the experience and it has really encouraged me to go out and do it again.

    In relation to any ‘hiccups’ along the way, I won’t go into too much detail now but Our Sander pulled out last minute and we were unable to get any professionals to do it so close to Christmas. The reason he pulled out was due to some glue being on the boards in the kitchen. I told other Sanders that I called and they just laughed and said he must think his Sander is too precious to do it. Anyway…We were lucky to get my partners Dad to do it for us. He went to Bunnings and hired a Sander and the appropriate materials and we got the job done in 3 days (1 day sanding, 2 days polishing). The original sander quoted us $1200, we did the job for approx $400.

    My 2nd mistake was having too much trust in friends that are tradesmen and taking their word when recommending other friends for work. My biggest lesson learnt was ALWAYS GET EVERY QUOTE IN WRITING, AND GET AT LEAST 2 QUOTES. Our painter did a good job, don’t get me wrong however when it came time for us to pay the bill went from $5000 to $6500. He claimed that when he quoted me $5000 it was only for the ‘internal’ and we owed him $1500 for the ‘external’. There were a few issues that really annoyed me about it. First I really nagged him for a paper quote and he would always come up with an excuse, ‘Aw my Mrs is away and does all the books etc’. Then he started painting the house PRIOR to settlement which we did not have early access which caused a problem with the solicitors but I did not ask him to go, he just went ‘presuming’ we had settled. Meanwhile we are in Sydney not realising any tradesman were there as he did not phone us first. The painters was lazy and didn’t put drop sheets in some areas so paint ending up on the edges of the floor boards which created more work for us. He claimed he thought a professional was doing it even though I rang him to say the Sander had pulled out and that we were now doing it. Anyway, the issues just go on and go – however he knows we are not impressed as I have stopped dealing with him and left it up to my partner to pay him.  I dare say there have been many other people who have got burnt as well.

    I have not had time to sit down and go through all the receipts to crunch the numbers however doing rough calculations we are under our budget which was $20k. Time of renovation 3.5 weeks.

    Purchase Price – $200k

    Val at Purchase – $215k

    Renovation – $20k

    Rent – $340 p/w (Currently on the market)

    I will be getting a real estate agent to do a market appraisal prior to getting the property re valued so I have a realistic estimate prior to dealing with the Bank.  I will keep you guys posted. on how I go.. I am sure the valuer’s will be conservative so I am not getting my hopes up. Market is a little flat at the moment too. I am going to wait until front lawns have grown back (We reseeded them due to it being ALL weeds in the front yard) and when we have a lease secured.

    I wish I got more photos of the backyard – It was like a forest out there – Back corner was out of control, the weeds were taller than me, we even found an old fridge and bath out there. Getting the yards in order was a big job – lots of labour and trips to the tip! Lucky we have family and friends who were happy to lend a hand

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
    Participant
    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142
    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
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    http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/House/NSW/Lake-Albert/?adid=6839698

    This is the link – hope it works..

    Now I just need to put the before photos on

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
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    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hello everyone,

    Just reporting reno has been completed last week and property has now been listed online.

    Can someone tell me how I can add the link from Domain etc on here and also add the before/after photos?

    Profile photo of jacqui_03jacqui_03
    Participant
    @jacqui_03
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 142

    Hi Lorraine,

    Thanks for your post. I think we will be able to get away with just scraping it off as it is only in a few patches. I found out contracts have exchanged today so settlement will be on 19th November. Very excited, now I can book tradies in with exact dates.

    What should the order be? I got told painting & floors last?

Viewing 20 posts - 21 through 40 (of 132 total)