Woodbridge WA

[TheBacon]

Hi all,
The missus is in love with a house in Woodbridge, and we have put in an offer pending sale of our [http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bi...c=23908896&s=wa&snf=rbs&tm=1204384048]current ppor [/URL]in Bassendean.

I have done as much research on the place as is possible in 1 week (she moves quick, my missus). It would seem the outlook i good for the general area, in line with the ongoing Midland redevelopment.

This will not be an investment property, so the purchase criteria are different.

What are your thouhts on the area?

TB

 

[Rixter]

Sounds great TB.

You really cant go wrong long term providing you purchase good quality, well located property.

Hope it all works out smoothly for you.

BTW your current ppor link does not work.

 

[TheBacon]

Link fixed

 

[INVSTOR]

We were driving past last night showing an interstate visitor around on our way to Mundaring. We all agree the area is really pretty and full of character. My hubby pointed out an old building on Great Eastern Highway, not far from old clock, is going to be refurbished into stylish apartments. There's some good private schools close by too. Good acces to wineries, cafes, airport. It may be under flight path so I'd consider if you're happy with that. When I visit the parks in area I find the airplanes a bit noisy. My friend in nearby Guildford loves the noise so it's a personal choice. Good Luck, Linda

 

[INVSTOR]

TheBacon. How loud is the Sound Wave Festival from your place. I remember hearing Red hot Chili Peppers while I was watering my front garden a few years back. That was pretty cool.

 

[TheBacon]

I thought I heard fireworks yesterday, and they went on for a long time... Obviously this was the festival!!!

I remember the Chilli Peppers years ago too. The sound was louder at my in-laws place in Bayswater than at my place, even though I am at least 2ks closer. Go figure...

There are some low hills between me and the oval, and I guess the direction of the speakers and ground setup might have an effect also.

And I've heard something about some low-frequency soundwaves travelling well through the ground, and this can travel well for some distance... but I'm not a sound specialist...

I'm not sure whats happening with the links, but here is my house again.... now with pics!

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bi...er=&cc=&c=24566910&s=wa&snf=rbs&tm=1204632623

 

[INVSTOR]

There's a good selling point for you - nice, quite area. I'm not far from Lockridge High School and it was quite loud outside. Cute house!

 

[gooram]

I nearly bought the one bedroom house that was for sale at the top of your street, near the corner of kathleen st.

I like woodbridge and guildford, but I'm not that keen on being under the flight path. We looked at a place in guildford and a plane flew over during the home open, honestly, we had to pause our conversation until it passed it was that loud. But as the owner says you get quite attached to it.

Great pubs and restaurants in the area too! Rose & Crown, The Woodbridge, Guildford Hotel, Kappys, The King and I, Padburys, Alfred's of course... the list goes on...

 

[TheBacon]

There's a story brewing here - I will post when it all irons out

 

[INVSTOR]

Can't wait to hear the details! I nearly bought a couple of houses in Kathleen Street 4-6 years ago also. One was a funny looking house that resembled a church and the other was a new house behind another. I also met a little Italian guy in that Street who gave me a whole heap of 50+ year-old prize winning roses. They had belonged to his next door neighbour who had passed away. He bought his house and bull-dozed it which is now a two storey house.
I was going to ask how your sale went as I'm considering purchasing in area again, but it looks like I'll have to wait....

 

[TheBacon]

Hi Invstor - I think I know the houses you are talking about - was the one that looked like a church used as a sea-scout hall? That one has now been flattened and subdivided into 2 side-by-side blocks. They were on the market for a long time for 300k each, with no takers. Good blocks, but overpriced - especially in Q1 2008.

There are not many 2-story houses on the street, so I know the other you are talking about too.

Generally Bassendean prices have taken a big hit (I would say ~ 10%) since the peak, and with rising rental prices you should be able to find 5%+ returns withour too much trouble. Probably decent buying in the next few years (although I suspect this is the same across Perth).

Lots of action, and a fair bit to write about the purchase of the Woodbridge place and the sale of ours. But alas, things are simply too sensitive!!!

Suffice to say I am learning a lot

TB

 

[INVSTOR]

Thanks for update TheBacon. I had my eye on a property on the other side of the rail line. It seemed like ok-good value but it sold in 2 weeks and I didn't get a chance to look. I think I might wait a bit longer, maybe a year, and see wher prices and interst rates do. The Stamp duty is a mood killer also! Good luck with your purchase, Linda

 

[TheBacon]

Latest development

Getting close to getting into our property at Woodbridge!

However, we have hit some interesting roadbumps – I might write more on the whole story later, but I have an immediate issue which has me a bit confused.

The house was built in 1935, the older style is one of the attractions for us. However, local council (City of Swan) does not have any building records that predate 1980! What does this mean for me?

There is also a large garage/shed on the property which looks like it was built in the 1990’s. However council only have record of a ‘patio’ in 1994 – not a shed/garage.

I am about to contact the agent to clarify the shed/garage.

Do I need to get council to approve the structures on the property?

There is a clause in the sale contract that states “the Seller declares that where required all structures have building approval”.

What are the potential impacts if I simply go ahead and do nothing?

It would seem I have an ‘out’ from the contract if I want it. However this is not what I’m after. What I want is to know that the new house and its additions are approved, or at least get an understanding of what is needed to get them approved.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers

TB

 

[1974Angela]

Hello TheBacon, I cant comment on your council issues but just wanted to say that we lived on Morrison Rd in Woodbridge last year, and the plane noise is a lot lower than what they experience in Guildford!

We also had great views of fireworks from the vineyards several times a year, without leaving our backyard.

It is a lovely area to live in, nice to walk and admire all the old houses, we certainly never had any trouble there and we were on the Midland central end.

One thing if you have kids push to get them into Woodbridge school (they will try to encourage you to go to Midvale for overcrowding reasons) but Midvale Primary is just feral!
Some excellent private schools there too.

Good luck with your purchase, I think you will really love living there.

 

[TheBacon]

Thanks Angela1974, we are looking forward to getting across the line and just getting in!!!

Thanks also for the comments on the school.

TB

 

[Aaron Sice]

You should be able to apply for a building license and just explain the fact that the shed was there when you bought. it makes it all above board.

technically, a building surveyor can request you pull it down, then apply for a building license, the re-erect it. but, most shires are pretty good with this sort of thing if you are buying into the property. i would say the current owner should pay for the fees (prob about $200-300) but is it worth haggling over that much...?

i would just buy the place and either

a) sell the shed in a "you remove" scenario or
b) not worry about it until it comes time to sell the property again, or until you get pulled up to whci you can reply "but i bought it this way" and THEN pay your $200-300.

 

[TheBacon]

i would say the current owner should pay for the fees (prob about $200-300) but is it worth haggling over that much...?

Yeah, this is what I've asked for.

Yes - we feel pretty well beaten up on all sides from the whole selling / buying saga (a whole separate post here) and feel that it is worth looking after our best interests with a little bit more energy.

The selling agent and vendor certainly dont give a rats about our circumstances. They were also adamant that everything was Kosher, nothing to see, dont worry about it. This may well have been what they genuinely thought, but I'm not willing to take things on face value anymore.

It cant hurt to ask.

Bah!

Looking forward to when I dont have to think about this anymore and can live the life Angela1974 described before

Cheers

TB