[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

May 13, 2010 - 2:03 am

The house I was interested in has had an offer of $600,000. This price is amazing to me. A small brick two bedroom place.

I think we have been priced out of the Melb market and will just have to buy in Qld it seems

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

February 1, 2010 - 12:18 am

Hello

Its funny how things happen.
We had to delay our trip to Melb and just went around loking for a place we could buy for ourselves in Qld

We needed a house with access around the back and at least a 4 car garage.

We then found a  house with what we needed yesterday and have put a contract on it.

This will be in another thread I'll start as it has sub division potential.

So maybe it was good we delayed our trip to buy in Melb at this time

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

January 11, 2010 - 11:42 pm

Hi Vita22 and others

I think its good to look at a property interstate as it makes you do more research. We probably wouldnt have bought the $50 report if we werent looking in Melbourne.

My husband went to Footscray Tech and cant believe the  changes to Maribyrnong.  All he remembers is the industry that was there and the quarry etc

Also are looking at Flemington also

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

January 11, 2010 - 6:25 am

We payed $50 for the Terry Ryder Hot spots report and well worth it.

We have added Maribyrnong to our list

so far  we will look at

Preston   Footscray   Maribyrnong  Brunswick (even though is now expensive)  Frankston  and a few more

Reno Queen

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

January 5, 2010 - 12:15 am

We have booked our flight to Melb for end of January.

Have found that we can buy a unit within our  budget in a few areas.  I have since found out a relative owns an agency in Melbourne so that will be a big help for us .

How does Preston, Coburg, Clifton Hill Heidleberg  etc compare with each other?

I am from Heidelberg originally and like all areas some streets are better than others.

Would a unit very close to a train station be an advantage or disadvantage?

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

January 2, 2010 - 3:26 am

Hello JacM
We think also Fairfield and Preston

Yes we agree Werribee is a good choice

We are from Melb originally but it would have changed a lot in the last 21 years we have been in Qld

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

January 31, 2009 - 10:07 am

Hi Boshy
I agree. To go to the computer you had to go through a doorway and around just to get to it.
Now as the photo shows its all in one room.

To think there was a loungeroom with a window and door in it and now the wall, window and door are all gone

This is the window we removed and made into a doorway. This extended the main bedroom

It is actually big enough for a childs bedroom as well

The carpenter built a wall across (where the white mat is) and enclosed this area. See photo above

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

October 28, 2008 - 12:48 am

Our brand new house plaque

Bluegum Cottage really suits I think

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

October 11, 2008 - 9:29 am

Hi Crashy

It just shows how important a paint job is. 

We are building a two car garage (which is not included of course in the $10,000 reno of the house)  in the same colours as the house.

Because the house is built in the lower rhs of the block there is plenty of room for the garage. One day we could also extend the house but that would be in many years time

I am also saving money and not replacing the wire front fence. I am planting a hedge all the way around the block just inside the fence. This way the hedge will eventually hide the wire fence

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

October 5, 2008 - 11:44 am

Hi Psychiatrist

Thanks for comments

Cottage exterior painting is just about finished. We are very happy with the way it looks

Here's  before and after pics. A paint job certainly makes a difference

Cottage before:

Cottage now: We removed window hoods and cladding

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

October 1, 2008 - 12:18 am

Cottage being painted

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 7, 2008 - 11:00 pm

Hi Annie and Crashy
Re Stainless steel splashbacks

Ikea have them and they come in a certain size. They are very easy to put up and you can add as many as you like as they go on a rail along the wall. They also have glass splashbacks so its just a matter of sliding the splashbacks along the rail. 

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 6, 2008 - 1:29 pm

Timber slats.
 
I think they look nice painted white.  These hide the louvres which can be replaced one day. .

We also removed the metal window hood

We still have to remove some more of the cladding to reveal chamferboards underneath.

The house will be painted soon

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 6, 2008 - 1:21 pm

New muli coloured gravel path

We have just finished the gravel path and think it came up well.

BEFORE

AFTER

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 3, 2008 - 11:49 am

Hello Crashy

I'm so surprised IKEA allowed it to be transferable.
 
I wish I could have a card like that I would just shop every day at IKEA

That was a good purchase of yours

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 2, 2008 - 11:25 pm

Bathroom makeover

I originally was going to replace the shower screen for a newer modern one.

I then decided that I would just replace the vanity and taps and get an electrician to install a fan/light/heater combo in the ceiling. The shower screen will be ok for a few more years

OLD VANITY

NEW VANITY

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 2, 2008 - 10:53 pm

Hello Crashy
I'm curious why did these people have a IKEA voucher for $10,000? Did they win it ?

I would be so worried paying the money for a voucher from Ebay in case IKEA didn't accept it.

IKEA are very funny sometimes like that with returns purchases etc

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 2, 2008 - 10:44 pm

Hi Kathlynv

You may like to hear a little background to this Cottage purchase.

My husband and I own a few properties but he is not interested in renovating just buying properties that are ready to go.

I enjoy the renovating side so about 5 years ago I bought a house and then he helped me renovate it.  It looked great once we finished but we didnt really have a budget so I just go what ever we needed.

We sold it 5 years later as it was on a main rd and we did make a profit.

I saw this cottage which is in  a great suburb and just couldn't wait to renovate it.  Its on a small block and I then decided I want to concentrate on small blocks in good suburbs IE Worst house in the best street.

I then decided I would only spend $10,000 on this reno and I think all the time how to renovate the property under budget.

My husband helps me but I try to think of ways to get professional help at a good price.
Cheers

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

September 1, 2008 - 4:44 am

Covering up old Louvre windows

I have come up with a way of covering up the old glass louvre windows without removing them

We are puttting up timber slats accross the window. These will be painted white.

The louvres can still be opened but they are old . This way the cost is minimal as the glass louvres would have cost a lot to replace so now they can be left in place

[Reno QueenParticipant@reno-queenJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 62]

August 31, 2008 - 10:09 am

Removal of metal window hoods