Recent content by Pat82

awesome post...now i know what to look for when inspecting properties

Hi Josh, Are you just replacing old stumps with new? i.e. no change in stump heights, positioning of bearers and joists? If yes, I don't see how the cables and pipes will be affected. I think the contractor is putting the clause there just to cover himself in case of any stuff ups. Sorry...

Thanks for the replies guys. So does it mean I do not have to use expansion joints for a 3.5 x 3.5 slab?

Hi, This is a question for the builders/engineers/handymen of the forum. I'm building a 3.5 x 3.5 gazebo with hip roof. The 4 posts will be bolted onto slab. How thick should my slab be? Do I need expansion joints? I'm concerned if I partition the slab, it might shift and affect my posts...

Hi Guys, I brought my PPOR in Nov 09 for 780k at 90% LVR. Recent sales results support that my property is now worth minimum 850k. Can I revalue the property only after 4 months? Can I top up the loan with new val at 90% LVR? Do I have to pay for LMI again? Rgds, Pat

Hi Guys, I recently brought a PPOR. It's a 4-2-1 BV with under floor garage, laundry, bathroom and large basement on concrete slab. Basement links to laundry and bathroom via garage. I have tiled the basement and it's now home to my ping pong table and wine collection. I am looking to build a...

This is exactly my concern. The wall is actually located in the basement. The previous owner removed most of the piers and replaced them with steel beams and created a basement area. We can see the ceiling was created before the wall, which indicate the wall might be there just to partition a...

Want to remove an internal gyprock wall between 2 rooms to create an open area. Got a builder to have to look and he said he's not sure. Do I need a structural engineer to check it out? What exactly do structural engineers do? Do they also need the floor plans to determine if a wall can be...

Hi guys, Can someone recommend a PM in the Hornsby area? -Patrick

Hi PP, My loan size is 720k and market rate per room is about $160 pw. The 2 rooms will be rented out to students so it will only be tenanted 40 weeks per year. As you can see, it will be negatively geared by roughly 15k per year (assuming interest is 5.6%). From your experience, is this dodgy...

thanks guys for your helpful replies. i am planning to rent out the rooms and have it massively negative geared. i am hoping by doing this, I can save on interest expenses which would be impossible if i don't rent out the rooms. Is this going to work? Is the ATO going to challenge me?

If I have a 3 BR PPOR, use 1 room and rent out the other 2, would I be able to claim 2/3 of interest and other household expenses?

I used to study at UNSW and now work in the CBD. During my uni days, I used to: bus from David Road to PH Station (30min) train from PH to Central (45min) bus from central to Ranwick (20min) This is excluding waiting time. I used to spend at least 2 hours per way travelling to/from uni. I...

Hi Ryan, I have been living in Castle Hill since I was 9. Am now 26. If you want to use the trains, the closest would be Pennant Hills. Parking suck at Pennant Hills and good luck trying to get there on time in peak morning traffic. Beecroft and Cheltenham stations are further out but there are...

Hi Lee, Why not remove the asbestos and insulate the walls while you are at it? Have you looked into CSR Hebel blocks? Easy to install and great thermal & sound insulation. It's very popular in Europe. -Pat