Sorry about the lack of posts recently, the past few weeks have been a blur of many things going on - and most of those not that interesting to write about!
I left you hanging over a month ago as to the continuing of our house hunting adventures, so here - finally - is instalment number 2...
I left you hanging over a month ago as to the continuing of our house hunting adventures, so here - finally - is instalment number 2...
Whilst the inspections and fallout and been going on, the asking price of the property had gone up by 10%. I say price, but the majority of house prices here over the past few years have been along the lines of' "offers over xx" or "offers above xx". This leaves much room for confinement, and some houses which we thought were in our budget ended up being bought by someone for a much higher amount. There was one property we saw - and really liked - that appeared to be in our range, but eventually we found out that the vendor wanted a price around $250,000 more than the price advertised!
It really has been a sellers market here, but the auction clearance rates have been dropping (many houses here are sold in Auctions or Auction campaigns which has meant yet more puzzling issues for us), and are at the lowest level for years. Good news for us!
We returned to the property the following Saturday, armed up on the knowledge of the pest and building reports in our minds, and using this to look at the signs to hopefully be able to recognize a few next time. The agent did his best to try and sell us the story the pest and building inspector didn't really know what he was doing...but we were having none of it.
We said goodbye to the little house.
We said goodbye to the little house.
Whilst up in our desired area, we visited a few other open homes:
House No. 1: There were so many people looking around a couple of the houses it was quite disheartening.
House No. 2: Had lovely views, but a lot of work needed doing to make it even work for us. It also smelt strongly of cat - and we like cats - plus it had an interesting en suite downstairs...
House No. 1: There were so many people looking around a couple of the houses it was quite disheartening.
House No. 2: Had lovely views, but a lot of work needed doing to make it even work for us. It also smelt strongly of cat - and we like cats - plus it had an interesting en suite downstairs...
House No. 3: Was in our price range, but was quite near a very busy main road - bad for cats and for noise - but the thing which put us off was it was a strange title I had never come across before, meaning we would share rates and other expenses with the next door property, and were buying into part of a non-trading business.
House No. 4: Huge house, great views over Pittwater...but was above the main road up to the Northern beaches, and the balcony with the glorious views was so noisy we couldn't hear ourselves talk. When we came to Australia it was for an outdoor lifestyle, and if we end up staying indoors for peace and quiet, then that kind of defeats the object.
House No. 5: A house with Pittwater views from nearly every room. No major road noise. A self contained unit - complete with bathroom and kitchenette downstairs, so possibility for b & b business, or great for when people come to stay. Not really over looked...
We liked it!
Maybe we weren't supposed to buy the other one, as this was our house?!
House No. 4: Huge house, great views over Pittwater...but was above the main road up to the Northern beaches, and the balcony with the glorious views was so noisy we couldn't hear ourselves talk. When we came to Australia it was for an outdoor lifestyle, and if we end up staying indoors for peace and quiet, then that kind of defeats the object.
House No. 5: A house with Pittwater views from nearly every room. No major road noise. A self contained unit - complete with bathroom and kitchenette downstairs, so possibility for b & b business, or great for when people come to stay. Not really over looked...
We liked it!
Maybe we weren't supposed to buy the other one, as this was our house?!
We got the contract checked over on Monday, and ordered a pest and building inspection for the Tuesday. We went for our second viewing the same time as the inspections were being carried out. Walking around have a proper look, we liked the house very much indeed.
Then the inspector came and asked to have a quick word with us.
By the look on his face, it wasn't good.
What?!
Again?!
The problem this time was Termites. He couldn't see any active termites, but there had been an attack a few years ago. It had been treated, but the worry he had was that the area he could see they had been was pretty bad, but there was a huge area of the house he couldn't get to because the house was built into a hill. Who knew if they had reached there or not?
They had been in the roof, between the floors, and the ground floor - and he had photos.
Just like last time, it was too big of a job for us to undertake at the price they were asking, so we had to walk away, yet again.
Then the inspector came and asked to have a quick word with us.
By the look on his face, it wasn't good.
What?!
Again?!
The problem this time was Termites. He couldn't see any active termites, but there had been an attack a few years ago. It had been treated, but the worry he had was that the area he could see they had been was pretty bad, but there was a huge area of the house he couldn't get to because the house was built into a hill. Who knew if they had reached there or not?
They had been in the roof, between the floors, and the ground floor - and he had photos.
Just like last time, it was too big of a job for us to undertake at the price they were asking, so we had to walk away, yet again.
The conveyancer rang us once he had received the report and laughed at our ability to pick houses with major problems.
The reports were worth the few hundred dollars. It transpires many people don't seem to have them done, others apparently have them done and then ignore them basically in the rush to own a house. I assume this is part of the manic housing boom that Sydney has been in - people taking crazy risks just to get a house before the prices shoot up even more.
The busy pre-Christmas period is over now, and with many people away for the summer holidays in January and February there are currently not as many houses on the market. But we will continue our search, and fill you in on any developments...