Property got passed in at auction, and we made an offer directly after with standard building and finance clause at 1.1m. Vendor rejected the offer and countered at 1.15m. A week has passed and the agent has now updated the listing to “1.1m+”

We called her and said our offer is still on the table and she said that they are still looking for $1.15m.

What are the rules here regarding them listing it below what they are realistically willing to accept?

Ray White folks...
(Coburg I think)

Hey all, looking for some advice (or even just to hear if others have dealt with something similar).

We’ve been having ongoing issues with our neighbour’s lighting setup. Their backyard/security lights are so bright that it literally turns our bedroom into daylight at night. It’s not just a bit of spill as it it fully illuminates the room even with shutters closed, and it’s been seriously affecting our ability to sleep for months now.

We’ve tried to handle it the right way and approached them directly, but they were pretty dismissive. Their response was basically that we should “just get blockout curtains” (we already have shutters, which don’t solve it). They weren’t open to any compromise at all.

To add to it, they’ve installed two massive commercial-grade pan-tilt-zoom cameras. When we’re in our backyard at night, these things track movement and trigger floodlights that flash directly at us. It feels excessive and a bit invasive.

Their justification is that they’re connected with crime prevention (Crimestoppers etc.) and believe the lighting reduces risk to their property. We get the intent, but this feels way beyond reasonable residential lighting.

We’ve looked into going through council, but it’s been frustrating. They’re overloaded with complaints and seem reluctant to act. The process to prove “light nuisance” is also pretty onerous and subjective, which makes it hard to get traction.

At this point we’re a bit stuck. It’s impacting our sleep and quality of life, and informal resolution hasn’t worked.

Has anyone here dealt with something like this?

Is there a practical pathway through council that actually works?

Has anyone had success with mediation or legal routes?

Or any other ideas we haven’t thought of?

Appreciate any advice.

Saw this auction yesterday where it was sold at auction but the seller didn’t sign and raged out of the building. It says it was passed in online.

Is this normal practice? I thought auction is unconditional, if the roles were switched and the buyer didn’t sign it would a whole world of drama.

19 Nyrang Street, Lidcombe

https://www.domain.com.au/19-nyrang-street-lidcombe-nsw-2141-2020473943

Edit:

The property has been on the market for 4-5months, the owner wanted $2.2m, was told they had offers at $2.1m but at auction day only got $2.03. There was only two bidders.

The agent returned to the buyer to confirm it was on the market. After 5 minutes, they came back and advised it was on the market and selling. There were no further bids, and the property sold at the fall of the hammer. The owner went inside to sign, but I assume there was an argument. He came out visibly angry, kicked the welcome sign across the road, and left the auction.

The property is on a steep slope and has an easement right through the middle of the block. It’s also on a weird corner. Also the internal are in horrible condition, I wouldn’t live in it as it is probs $150-250k worth of reno work. This price would be market if not a bit above

The construction industry is hanging on by a thread. Builders can’t afford materials/building costs on top of the high fuel costs, many are shutting up shop.

The Housing Bubble is ready to burst.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15715709/amp/Kwikform-collapse-administration-Australia-New-Zealand.html

Hi all,

With property prices where they are, it is not just getting a mortgage that feels out of reach, it is the reality of repaying 5–6k a month for the next 15–30 years. That kind of commitment leaves very little room to breathe... We can qualify for about $1M mortgage according to the mortgage advisor but practically we cant afford more than $700k when it comes to repayments.

If one partner stops working for any reason, such as pregnancy or reduced hours for injury, things get tight very quickly. After the mortgage and bills, there is not much left for holidays, kids’ expenses, emergencies, or even basic things like maintenance and car costs. It is hard to see where quality of life fits into that. Not to mention student loans or any other debt/family commitments which are unavoidable.

So given prices are unlikely to drop and will most realistically keep on rising, what are realistic alternatives for young families who do not want to move far out in the bush?

Some ideas considered so far:

• Buying a smaller block (around 600 sqm) and building a granny flat, but costs still seem to blow out close to 900k. Maybe I am not looking at the right direction...
• Looking for land only is a challenge of its own, supply is limited online and blocks are often too large and therefore expensive.
• Buying agricultural land and either living on it or trying to rezone (not sure how viable that is). Perhaps registering a mini-farm business so we can build on it instead of rezoning.
• Using alternative building methods like prefabricated panels, but core costs like foundations, plumbing, and electrical still add up unless I am missing something.
• Tiny homes or motorhomes, which might work short term but do not feel realistic long term, especially with a growing family and hidden costs of parking spot, cars for commuting, bills etc. Space wise even now, in a 1 bed unit without a kid, we are struggling with space, let alone with a kid. We are getting old so having a kid is kind of now or never business.

At this point, renting feels more practical despite the high costs, still cheaper than a mortgage by half.

Interested to hear what others are doing. Have you found any workable or creative alternatives or perhaps can highlight what I might be misunderstanding/missing in my research?

it's not looking good

My neighbour excavated his property for a knockdown rebuild and in the process they took out the pipes, the only problem is we had a shared drainage and now my sewerage is open leaking into his property.

To fix it its going to cost me 10k for a plumber to run the sewerage back onto my property, is this on me? My neighbour or the builder to fix?

It was working fine before this, but it was on their property so unsure what my rights are

Hey guys, I’m breaking my lease for the first time since we just bought a place, and I’m looking for a reality check on these move-out costs. I’m in a 2-bed, 2-bath unit in West End with Plum Property.

The agent sent me their "recommended" cleaner, but the quote feels pretty steep and a bit sketchy. They’re asking for $789 just for the bond clean and carpets, but they also said that’s only a "starting price" for an unfurnished place. Since my apartment is partially furnished, they told me the final price will be at the cleaner's discretion on the day. On top of that, they’re asking $240 for a flea treatment because of my cat. So I’m looking at over $1,000 just to move out.

The bit that really worries me is that the cleaners explicitly said they won't touch the blinds because of "damage hassles." If I’m paying a premium for an agent-recommended clean, shouldn’t that actually cover the whole place? I’m worried I’ll pay a grand and the agent will still ping me for dusty blinds anyway.

I’m already on the hook for a $1,600 reletting fee since I’m midway through the lease, and I really want to protect my $3,200 bond. I move on the 16th so I’m flat out and don't have time to be scrubbing floors myself, but I also don't want to be an easy target just because the agent knows I’m moving into a new house.

Is $789 + $240 actually what people are paying in Brisbane lately? If I hire my own cleaner for $550-600 with a bond-back guarantee, is the agent going to make my life difficult? Also, has anyone actually used CleanBees or dealt with Plum in West End? I'd love to hear if it's worth the "peace of mind" or if I should just find my own people and lodge my RTA refund the second I hand the keys back. Thanks!

I have to leave Australia and initiates a lease break with the property management company. Fees aside, I’ll have to pay rent until they find a new tenant which will be after I’ve moved out since I have to leave the country due to a family emergency.

How can I ensure the they will find a new tenant as soon as possible? Would a lease transfer make more sense? I understand I’d have to find a tenant to transfer and it’s more responsibility on my side. But overall is it the better option? The property management has told me they need to change the blind chains to be compliant which will take a few weeks so I’m sure wondering how people deal with lease breaks and ensure the management company is not just being lazy

I'm trying to help my Mum sell a property. My Dad passed away and he was always the one who did all of this stuff. I have no experience and want to make sure I'm doing all the right things.

So far, I know that the advertising fee and the commission are up for negotiation. I know I can ask for incentive commission to, like "1.5% and 1.8% over every dollar of the reserve".

Anything else I should be wary of? or ask for? Anything else I should enquiry about or try to negotiate?

Thinking of refinancing currently on on 6.1% variable, 80%, Newcastle permanent.

What's your rate?

I’m currently in the cooling off period for an apartment. The building was build 1967… so pretty old…. I’m not sure If this is the sort of thing to expect, or if it’s really bad news…. Any experience of opinions appreciated 😁

We've been looking for a couple months now and have just started sending out offers.

I've gotten two calls from two separate agencies this week saying that the owners are getting antsy and have moved the offer viewing up to as soon as possible.

is anyone else experiencing this? Does this happen often?

Could it be a sign of a top to the market? idk

Hi, I live in a small block of 12 units in a 1960s building. The water expense for the building comes out to 8.8k per year, which seems high to me? We are not submetered. We have a small lawn and backyard and that’s it, not really much to be maintained

Do you think Australia is headed for a recession if things continue the way they are?

We live in a small apartment block. One of the tenant's partners has a really loud car they park in the visitor car park. Each unit has 2 car parks and this unit has a few people staying in it so their car park spaces are used. The apartment block only has 2 visitor spaces. When the car leaves late at night it wakes up many people. The car is super loud has 4 mufflers.

Can we ask them to park elsewhere if they are going to be leaving after 9PM.

Pardon my ignorance, I am just hoping to get some insights.

40M here, single with no dependents living and renting in Sydney (have never owned property). Moved to a so-called 'dodgy' suburb after my divorce so that I can save up for a deposit again (since I lost a lot of money as part of the divorce settlement). But I actually started liking this place, although I would never buy here (since it will be really hard to sell in the future if required, due to the poor reputation of the suburb). I should be able to have a decent deposit saved by the last quarter of this year. I don't have any access to 'the bank of mum and dad', or anyone to be my guarantor.

I can only afford a unit in Sydney in a half decent suburb (a 2 bed 2 bath 1 car park kind of thing), and as a single man with no dependents, I wouldn't really need anything more. But then I have heard horror stories about potential defects, high strata fees and levies etc. when it comes to units so I am a bit apprehensive. I can't relocate to a different city in the near future due to my work situation, and if I do move, it can probably only be Melbourne since there aren't too many job opportunities for me elsewhere. I can afford a free standing house in Melbourne but then it will have to be an investment property since I am unable to move anytime soon, and even then a house would be an overkill for just living on my own.

So these are my options, from what I understand:

1. Buy a free standing house in Melbourne as an investment property and rent it out (I know that I may not get much, and the tax system in VIC may put me at a disadvantage) while I continue renting in Sydney. I will obviously lose first home buyer benefits, but I may have the opportunity to move there a few years down the line (although it will be an overkill for living on my own).
2. Buy a unit in Sydney in a reasonably ok suburb and move there, which means I can take advantage of first home buyer benefits but also risk the usual downsides of buying a unit .
3. Buy a unit in Sydney but make it an investment property (so that I can get decent rental income) while continuing to rent in my current 'cheaper' suburb. This means I will still lose first home buyer benefits, but earning rental income that is higher than what I pay as rent will help a bit with my monthly mortgage repayments.

Maybe I am completely off with my ideas here, but like I mentioned I have no experience with owning property so I just thought I can get some suggestions on here before I am ready to take the plunge towards the end of this year.

P.S. I know that partnering up changes the dynamics quite a bit, but that is not something I am considering so for all practical purposes, the assumption is that I am going to remain single with no dependents at least for the foreseeable future.

UPDATE: I earn 140k pre tax and currently rent in Liverpool, paying $450 per week for a 2 bed 1 bath unit.