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Wondering what you think about these little pine trees that are planted so close to the front wall of the house. Are they ok there? It's a westerly aspect so they would be good in summer. They've grown quite a bit now though. Apparently the roots aren't too big. Anyone have any ideas about...

Last night I had a great dream. I was sitting around with someone (probably myself) watching planes take-off. One very impressive plane alighted and after a while I realised that I was actually sitting very comfortably on the back of the plane (kind of under the tail) without being blown off. At...

Would I get into trouble with the ATO if I changed the redraw to an offset?

Still wondering whether to move into run-down property or keep tenants there. Either way, I have to renovate. Can you answer a few questions for me? 1/ Do I get a depreciation schedule asap even if it's me who moves in? Do I then get another one done if / when I move out and tenants move in...

Getting close to the point where I have to decide whether to move into the run down house I'm buying or allow the tenant to stay on. Would love to read some other points of view to help me get out of my head. Good reasons to move in: More motivated to renovate and fix when I have to live...

Finally got to the stage where I sign the contract or don't. There are several issues with the property I've been looking at. Among them, the downpipes are not yet connected to the stormwater in the street. In other words, on part of the property, the water runs down the pipe and onto the...

Hi brokers, I will be living in the new property for the first few years doing renos and will have 2 loans associated with the property: 1/ the split equity loan which is already IO with offset, waiting to be used on the deposit and renos. 2/ the balance of the loan. Does 4.58% for 3 years...

Contract doesn't include a survey report or a building certificate at this stage. To get them, they'll cost $660 and $250 respectively. Is this normal? And do I need them? This is an el cheapo in a town. Thanks

To add to the list of undesirable characteristics, I've now discovered that there's a sewer line running diagonally across the backyard. Went to council to see what could be done about stormwater running onto property and saw the sewer lines. Have read a few old threads. A couple of...

Only realised today that the house I'm interested in is already rendered on the inside. Am wanting to do outside as well but wonder whether this would be the fast-track to massive rising damp?

The low offer I made has been accepted. Just went along to the building inspection and despite being neglected and built of ugly concrete bricks, the house has fairly solid foundations without many cracks. There seem to be 4 main areas of concern. 1/ Pest inspection is tomorrow but it looks...

Was just having a look around the South Coast of NSW and noticed that Thirroul, Austinmer and other areas have become very up-market. When did that happen? I remember visiting two great uncles in Thirroul. They had a goat and played cards with their mates. They lived and died there and it was a...

Have found a really nice house and looked at it a couple of times. One of the 2 problems with the place is that the vendors keep painting it. I like things original and then I work from there according to my own taste. There were beautiful old tiles in the bathroom both on the floor and on the...

Hi renovators, Looking at an old weatherboard place atm. Does weatherboard have fibro underneath it or is it layered to keep the weather out and that's it? I like the old weatherboard but some of it will need replacing. Is that a good idea or not?

Here are some old photos. Things have improved a little since these were taken - but not a lot. Basically, the garden is fairly under control atm. Am getting the exterior painted, including the gutterings and downpipes. Have a new black fence/gate up in the driveway plus the front gate is...

What does it mean when s'one pays cash? Do they pay cash at settlement or pay the whole thing when contracts exchanged? Is this done by redrawing equity/ using offset loans? Is it actual cash? Why do vendors prefer it? Sorry for Intro to Investing 101 question but I"ve wondered for years...

Just when you thought it was safe... another Frankston thread. For anyone who's interested, just had the Frankston property valued by bank. Of course this means that it's a conservative value. Has come in at 370K. That's only 10K more that what I paid for it 4 and a half years ago. What I...

Hold your breath when you walk inside and don't touch anything. Something for everyone: *an untouched sparse yard with old structures including the outhouse *a mouldy bathroom/laundry *holes in the ceiling *v. old, small and tacky kitchen *some floorboards may need replacing *sleepout...

Am looking at a property with some major cracking due to movement etc. Instead of dealing with the underlying problem of stabilising foundations, vendor has had 4 or 5cm gaps filled with new mortar in an attempt to attract higher price. There's also old work done with cement. Of course, this...

Planning loan set-up Experienced investors and experts, please. Am wondering where to go from this point: Have 2 IP loans 1/ fixed @ 4.49 for next 2 and a half years - no redraw, no offset though offset is possible if I like. negatively geared property 2/ variable @ 5.07 with $40K...