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  • Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    @jhopper
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    No so much help with bees rather a funny story!

    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 in the mail, thought very seriously about asking for the photos and waiving the penalty, then thought, who would believe a story like that!

    Could have ended badly but in the end, you just have to laugh!

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hi Daryl,

    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 done any carpeting myself.

    Let me know if I can possibly offer any further help.

    Jan

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Woah, 7 family members to invest together, sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!!! So, how would it work? Would one person be appointed to make all the decisions and be responsible for administration or a group effort like a board?

    I just know it can be a struggle to agree on one property with your partner let alone 7 other family members. Unfortunately, family can get pretty emotional particularly about money.

    Hope it all works for you!

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Always stop at the Miami Bakehouse on the way through!

    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 top of each other. Just don’t see it myself!

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    If you are going to make suburb comparisons, Dee Why would probably more relate to Scarborough rather than somewhere like Quinns or Butler.

    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 but I simply cannot see what all the hype has been about. Sorry to offend any Manduraites out there!

    Have got to agree with Ned, why would anyone want to live on such a desolate coastline, particularly the Perth coastline? Still think anywhere from Padbury to Butler can represent good value considering proximity to the city, beaches, transport and shopping.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Ausprop,

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

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hi Don,

    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 is the goal to do this as a full time occupation. Looking more along the line of buy renovate and sell rather than renovate a rental, or to renovate for clients.

    You are absolutely currect in terms of cash flow which is my current concern. I have equity in my PPOR which I could possibly use or could sell it and use the equity to buy again, live off and renovate. Obviously many hurdles such as difficulty in borrowing without a job and delay factor before selling the next property.

    Sounds like the best option then would be to use the equity, keep the job and renovate part time and build for the plunge.

    Waffling sorry, thanks for the reply.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hey Don,

    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 mind me asking?

    Jan

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Try and read as much as possible.

    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.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hi Minergal,

    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 though. Tradies are in short supply and getting prices can be painful. A Project Manager can be a good idea but an “honest” builder for this type of job would probably be better. Can be a contradiction in terms!

    cheers

    Jan

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hi there,

    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.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Its a lot easier for me as I am already an Engineer. Just need to get a few references from previous employers, statements of work history, police clearance and fill in forms. In WA, the Licencing board meets once a month so when I get my act together and send them in, it should be fairly quick.

    If you have the trade skills as you say, the application is slightly differerent. You need 5 years experience in supervising trades but with a trade background, there may be other ways. Check with the licencing authority in Qld, over here in WA its the Builders Licencing Board. They can send out all the paperwork you need for you to sift through at your leasure.

    When you say trades experience, what do you mean?

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hey Salacious,

    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 everything yourself. If you don’t have an offsider to run to Bunnings to get that one little item, its easy to burn days just stuffing around.
    2. Money – also tends to run away. Do a comprehensive budget and add a bunch as contingency.
    3. Approvals – Depending on where you are and what type of work you are doing, you will probably need Council appovals of some sort. Again, refer to 1 and 2 above. Add frustration!!
    4. Licence and insurance – Again, be mindful that depending on what you are doing, you will need to consider the implications when you go to sell. May need to be an Owner Builder, Builder or not at all depending on what you are doing, which also has knock on effects when you go to sell.
    5. Consideration of what is the current trend of the day and also what is “timeless”. Trendy is good but be mindful of when you go to sell that you may not be narrowing the buyers pool.
    6. Have fun doing it! I love mucking around the house with power tools and building materials and could do it all day everyday, but if you don’t enjoy it, its a lot of very hard work.

    I am sure all of the above is commonsense but were some of my considerations.

    good luck!

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Have similar at my place and have two things at different areas. Firstly, paint does come up surprisingly well. Would get your hands on a spray gun though as paintbrushes take ages and rollers don’t work. Secondly, we screwed reed style sheets to the fence in a smaller courtyard area which looks good. Bought it from a cheapie shop but can get it from Bunnings, WA Slavage etc. Works out relatively cheap and very quick to install.

    Only concern would be if you are screwing directly to aesbestos due to the obvious health concerns!! I built a frame in front which was pretty simple.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hey Wylie,

    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 grooves and has lifted slightly. What is the kitchen bench like as you will get it wet? Have you coated it with something? Really just curious as it can have problems with water as it isn’t solid timber.

    cheers

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    The guy I spoke to was Steve Grove.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Hi PropertyWA,

    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.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    A tip with respect to maintenance. We have a stainless steel fridge and other appliances and I had concerns about the fingerprints issue. Was told to wipe it down with baby oil and have been doing it ever since. Works a treat and am now considering a stainless splashback as well.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    Personal opinion, for a first dabble into RE I would outlay for a professional. Having watched a fair few conveyancers before, it is relatively straight forward however they become very handy when the proverbial hits the fan if you have a good one.

    Profile photo of jhopperjhopper
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    All scams aside, a contract between parties consists of an offer and acceptance. In this hypothetical, the offer is to be paid for a signature on a piece of paper with no intent to use that signature in any way shape or form.

    Face value, I would say thanks for the $10k. I would probably only stipulate that an agreement was also written by the solicitors present that that was the agreement and was signed by the parties and copies held. That could simply be a one liner dated and signed.

    I am not particularly risk adverse but make sure all understand exactly what they are getting in for.

    Incidently, how would this be different from a personality signing an autograph on a blank piece of paper? Obviously, offer and acceptance again but can it lead to fraudulent activity?

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