Currently in the middle of converting a games room into part of the lounge room. At the moment its two rooms about 5x4m each (lounge and games) with access to the games only via going out into the courtyard and through another door.

Our place looks like a complete bombsite due to demo of double brick walls, raising lintels,…[Read more]

I am a big advocate of floor boards but it may be a good idea to first check with the strata body. I was renting a place a while back which had wooden floors and apparantly the owner went through hell with the owner of the place underneath due to noise. In the end they could keep the timber floor but they almost went to court over…[Read more]

Am sure this could be a potentially hot topic!

I know what you mean, I am the partner in this respect who pays the support and it can be a killer. I use the CSA formula for the simple reason that we would not be able to agree what is fair and reasonable. Like your situation, the ex would quite happily take 100% and feels the…[Read more]

Just got an update yesterday and they have put a free version affiliated with Google on the net. They also…[Read more]

As this one looks like a PPOR, I don’t think this applies unless it is classified as a home office for deduction purposes!

As for other comments, I agree with not going down the laminate path for a PPOR. I did mine and regret the decision.

cheers

Jan

Lots of “depends on’s” with this question. First of all, is it an IP or PPOR? This may determine what quality and maintrenance you will require. Second, what sort of budget? Third, how handy are you on the tools?

There are many choices, all have pros and cons. You could go, solid timber planking, bamboo strip style, laminate,…[Read more]

That technique also applies to painting brickwork! Both bricks and cement sheeting are thirsty and I believe the wetting before painting reduces the amount of pain you require, as well as getting rid of any dust from the surface. Not sure about applying a thin coat after wetting but do know it is a common practice!

Jan

Off the top of my head, used the following:
Timber decking used Indonesian Hardwood called Balau and sourced from Perth Timber in Forrestfield (owner by the name of Brett was helpful),
Paving used Blok Pave and bought seconds quite cheaply (Not too concerned about seconds…[Read more]

This is one area where the professionals should be called…[Read more]

Built a low deck, bamboo over the aesbestos sheeting, tropical plants, paving and timber sleepers. Designed it myself and took about 12 months of doing it on weekends but the old sand patch now looks pretty good now. I,m in WA as well so can tell you where I bought materials if it…[Read more]

When I completed my Engineering degree, I was looking at interesting and unusal topics for my thesis. One that I scrapped is as follows and you will see for obvious reasons. I was watching The Sopranos and got to thinking about Mobsters tendancies to hide bodies in mass concrete footings during construction. I got to thinking from an…[Read more]

The only reason I have any vague idea about this is because I work as an Engineer for a reinforcing supplier. I would think this really is an unusal case for investing so don’t be too hard on yourself!

What have you decided? Going to go for it or not?

Ok, a well bonded topping probably means you will have to scabble the concrete surface (roughen it up so you can get a good connection). Normally for a topping you would use a self levelling cement mix like Ardit.

What he is trying to achieve is increasing the cover of concrete so that moisture won’t get to the reinforcing as concrete…[Read more]

My immediate reaction would be it spells trouble. If th reinforcing was exposed through polishing it could throw into question how much concrete cover they provided to begin with, and when they polished how much concrete did they take off. Also, how long ago did they do the polishing?

Failure of reinforced concrete can occur when…[Read more]

Can you give me a few more facts. Is it internal or external (balcony or inside the unit), is ist exposed because concrete is missing, ie a crater in the concrete so the reinforcing is exposed. How rusty are we talking about, a bit of brown flakey dust or is the steel pitted (looks like the steel has been eaten)? What City are you in…[Read more]

Where in the Northern Suburbs are we talking? How steep is the block and any idea of what type of ground conditions? I assume its going to partly sand, partly limestone but could be wrong depending on the slope and area.

As for septic, any plans for the area to connect to sewer in the near future?

Personally, I love the sloping…[Read more]

Driving along a while ago in sunny Perth, windows down singing along to the radio when I drove through the middle of a swarm of bees. In a panic I was waving my arms around looking for a place to stop, didn’t notice a speed limit sign and promptly went through a speed camera.

When I got the notice…[Read more]

Sorry mate, if you were in Perth I could point you in a few directions but not Adelaide.

Thats usually the best sequence. If you paint first, you don’t have the dramas of getting paint on new carpets or floors and you don’t have to cut along carpet edge.

Sorry, not really into carpet either. Personally like timber floors and havn’t…[Read more]

I just know it can be a struggle to agree on one property with your partner let alone 7 other family members.…[Read more]

Sorry Ausprop, didn’t mean to make you choke like that. I am genuinely interested as I donot see the attraction. The beaches of Perth are streets ahead, accessibility, while being improved by the rail is still limited, if you are into the canals (so to speak), the houses are pretty much on…[Read more]

JES mentioned above the “high quality hub” of Manduarah. Can someone inform what the attraction is? Apart from the pie shop, I can’t see anything really going for it. Investment wise it may be of interest…[Read more]

Whats the other saying? “People who say money dosn’t buy you happiness don’t know where to shop!”

Thanks for the reply. All sounds pretty logical and inspiring!

Am currently completing renovation on my PPOR which is looking good. Primarily cosmetic but amazing the difference it all makes. Am going to go down the line of buying another place while I am working as you have suggested and do the renovation / dress up but ultimately it…[Read more]

Some sage words of advice there and am impressed with your achievements! Would love to see the photos if available!!

Am extremely keen to start the same thing and am all planned but the first step is the hardest. How did you take the plunge and quit your day job? How much of a buffer did you have in terms of equity /cash if you don’t…[Read more]

Just finished a good book called “Mao’s Last Dancer”. Not related to investing as such but puts a lot in perspective with respect to the opportunities that many take for granted, myself included.

I am in the process of getting into the reno business and would be happy to assist if I can. PM me if you like and we can have a chat. I am based in North Beach which is about 10 minutes from Kingsley. Only thing is I am off honeymooning as of Wednesday for 2 and 1/2 weeks but if you can wait, will take a look.

JVT is right…[Read more]

All I really know is that Clarkson has been referred to as “Balga by the beach”.

Would have thought the area has a lot of potential though, one suburb back from the beach and short drive to Joondalup and the city. Personally, I think a lot of suburbs along that strip have a way to go in terms of price.

If you have the trade skills as you say, the…[Read more]

Sounds like you have a lot of fun ahead of you!!

I am in the final stages of getting my builders license and am planning to do the same thing as you. Buy old places and renovate, or renovate for other people.

A few things off the top of my head to consider.

1. Time – this almost always runs away particularly if you are doing…[Read more]

Intersting use of laminate flooring!! We have it on our floor and is great in terms of scratch resistance and cleaning as we have two large dogs.

Question though with respect to kitchen benches. How does it go with water? We have it on our kitchen floor and have a couple of minor trouble spots where water has got between the…[Read more]

As a novice in the share market, I used a company called Euroz Securities over here in WA. Found them to be fairly reasonable and gave some good advice. Was looking for short term, higher risk investment and ended up working well. Of course, could have gone the other way but their advice was sound.

Am sure there are many many others.

Face value, I would say thanks for the $10k. I would probably only stipulate that an agreement was also written by the…[Read more]

They seem to have missed in the ad the bonus that it has excellent ventilation, although that may have been what they meant by “free flowing airducts”!!

Nice pickup!!

The technical name for those wooden edge bits is “smooth edge” which I thought was hilarious when I first heard. Real contradiction considering the puncture wounds in my fingers after pulling them up!

Never laid lino before but have loads of personal experience with laminate flooring if you are considering that.

cheers

Jan

The risk for Kevin would have been if his stock actually went the other way. Even with gearing, it could have stung although am sure he did his research.

Nice to hear a good news story though!

Newgen, I…[Read more]

I would suggest you could ask if thats their best price as you are getting a few quotes, but ultimately you get what you pay for. They…[Read more]

I like your plan and hope you are successful.

A few issues you may like to consider and may want to search the forum as they have been discussed quite a few times already.

Firstly, early access for reno’s can have a few pitfalls and would suggest you keep the cost of jobs performed to a minimum just in case the deal falls through.…[Read more]

The way I see it, truth is extremely subjective. One persons truth may be anothers lie depending on their understanding, point of view, political or religious standpoint etc.

Peronsally, truth is what you yourself believes as long as you are willing to understand the perspective of others.

In terms of telling the truth, every…[Read more]