Carpet is replaced. We bit the bullet and did the whole house as all the bedrooms were old and daggy and mismatched so we didn't want to make this worse. We paid a little over $2000 and it sounds like that is on the high side…[Read more]

Daniel did a good first meeting that got us pumped and made us feel important. We were 90% of the way convinced but something didn't sit right with me. I did some research and also asked some of the members on here privately for their opinion. There were some concerns over vals among other…[Read more]

After two years with LJ Hooker our tenant decided to vacate and that's when the true service there became apparent. It was not part of their policy to work weekends…as an agent I think this is crazy when a result is not being achieved and they also do not advertise…[Read more]

BUT, I made two mistakes…I took my credit card and I took my mum!

On the way in I pre-warned her 'mum what ever you do don't sign up for anything'.

Fast…[Read more]

Can also say that the tradies in…[Read more]

Steer clear of Harlaxton, bad area. 

I would say that Bfree2live is pretty spot on with…[Read more]

We don't pay re-letting fees at all if the same tenant stays on. They have competition from other agencies so they always agree to this. Also cross out any notice period and reduce it to 30 days or less.

Nurse 1 definitely look for another manager provided you are able to get…[Read more]

We recently had our place in Mackay re-routed due to a leak. The quote we got was as follows and the apprentice was charged out at apprentice rates. Quotes I got varied from $70 – $99/hr for labour. Also the total quote costs ranged from $3,500 to $20,000 so it really can vary depending on the contractor!

I know it is different work…[Read more]

I have learned in the past year that when things go wrong, PMs need to be managed. Tell them exactly what you want to happen, make them run ANY out-of-the ordinary costs by you first before going ahead and also ring them every single day until you get the desired result. It is annoying but it covers all bases and gives you more control.…[Read more]

I will say as a tenant that we always pull the battery out of the smoke detector. Bad I know but the thing…[Read more]

I gave myself half an hour to cry and be frustrated…[Read more]

Our original plumber sent us a quote the other night…from $20 000 down to $2,650! Too little, too late as we made our decision to go with the middle of the road quote that provided detailed and quick…[Read more]

Yet to check the figures as I only got them back last week.

They took a while though…just over two months! But could have been the time of year?

We have found a really great, licensed plumber, Dirk at Jayden Enterprises, who was referred by someone from the MBs.

He has been incredibly helpful and polite and was out at the property within three hours of calling. I have been waiting around two to three days for most of the other…[Read more]

Three of us went up there and were laughing so much as it is all so close. By the end of the weekend we were feeling more like locals and I must say going from one inspection to the next on the schedule was made more annoying by the traffic on the bridges. Hate to think what it was like prior to the new bridge being built!

I guess…[Read more]

Today the lovely plumber who has had the cheapest figures, been the most helpful and sounds like he knows the most told me he has had a falling out with his brother…the leak detection guy because he is stressed out having too muCh work on but not enough staff.…[Read more]

Yes this is definitely something I have been thinking about. It would be much easier to manage from up there and remind myself why we thought this place was so wonderful just two months ago! My skills on the end of a fishing line leave a little to be desired however

When he first suggested it I straight away said 'It's not Amw*y is it? Because if so we are not interested'. He knew we were into property investing and so twisted the conversation to sound like it…[Read more]

Terry – we checked with our insurance and they won't cover it, apparently as there is no damage to the house. I asked him how we could possibly know if there is damage in areas we…[Read more]

Yes that is what we are concerned about…the whole open ended scenario. The leak detection guy said it would be hard for him to hear under the slab and didn't want to waste our money. Do you have any properties that had slabs that were fixed?

Also how much did the repair itself cost?

Its funny the plumber and builder friends we…[Read more]

 Definitely is a hot water leak and he said that it is leaking at around 1L per 10s. Said that he may have been able to detect a hot spot if the water was still running but as there is a valve that the  plumber installed yesterday to enable the tenants to shut off the water in between…[Read more]

I will be sure to ask about this too. I would much prefer $150! At the moment the first guy is suggesting re routing the plumbing through the roof at around $10,000 plus the cost of fixing any damage. We have already decided we are suss on him so even if this is the path we take if there isn't an cheaper solution we will go with…[Read more]

Who did you use for the sonar?

The second opinion plumber has had to reschedule until tomorrow so results to come. 

We also talked to a plumber and a builder who are each friends of ours here and in Brissy who have said for $20,000 they would fly up there and do the job themselves. In other words that is ridiculous.

So at least it is looking a little…[Read more]

I have arranged for a second opinion to go through this afternoon and will definitely ask if the above has been done. We were also thinking it may be worth paying the $150 to get the sonar guy out as this amount *suddenly* sounds like a walk in the park if it reduces the cost of repairs by a lot and means we…[Read more]

With locating it there is a concrete slab and no sign of damage…on the surface, which is why I am cranky at the insurance…how do I know there isn't damage that can't…[Read more]

Yes we have talked to a few builder friends this morning who have said the same thing. These are estimates he gave not actual quotes as this has just come to light last night however he was including the repair of the damage as well, so tiling in the bathroom, cabinets in the kitchen…what ever has to be ripped up to find it.

As it…[Read more]

I will go in confident now and know that the most they will get out of me is the 0.25% on exchange of contract because I don’t think we will wave the cooling off period.

Thanks again!
Peachy[biggrin]

That is what I was trying to say and get confirmation on – but you just said it soooooo much better and made it soooo much clearer…could be the extra 5k or so posts you have on me (oh and a fair bit of experience too). [wink2]

Peach

Bridgebuff…if they don’t accept the offer how do you get your $1000 back. Do they usually just give it back to you or have you ever had to fight for it??

I only ask because it is not like the cheque is going to have the reason for changing hands on it. Oh and is it silly to give cash or a money order if you don’t have a chequing…[Read more]