House still on the market - price reducton looming

Well, a short update just to say that we are still hanging in there.

Since the first wave of viewings things have started to go extremely quiet on the house sale front.

It seems when the house is advertised in the local paper it generates a lot of interest and we normally have a few bookings to follow. When the house isn’t been advertised in the local press then we are reliant on folks browsing the web or popping into the local estate agent looking for properties in the area.

We’re still keeping our chins up but it may soon be time to drop the price of the house by a couple of thousand to see if this raises any additional interest. Read more

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Renting in Perth - Agents asking for lots of rent up front

McG posting an excellent article in our forums so I thought I would post it in here for all to see.

I’d read some horror stories with some of the slightly more dodgy realestate agents requesting large sums up front whilst not passing on the funds to the home owner. This will be useful for us to know when we first start renting properties in Perth and for anyone else who may be planning to rent properties in Australia in the near future:

Hi all,

Further to reading posts saying that ‘6 months’ rent had been asked for up front’, I decided to contact REBA and find out exactly what is legal and what isn’t.

Please note that if a prospective tenant decides to ‘offer’ 6 months’ (or x number of months’ rent) and the agent accepts this, the agent hasn’t done anything wrong. However, an agent cannot ASK a prospective tenant for this money up front. Anyway, this was the response to my email, which discussed my concern at people in W.A. and specifically Perth being asked for a lot of money up front. I hope this helps those moving across to Perth when it comes to renting.

Original E-mail response from REBA

Thank you for your email. Your query has been forwarded to me for a response on behalf of Consumer Protection.

The simple answer to your query is

“No, neither agents nor owners (private landlords) are able to require (ask) for anything other than two weeks rent in advance, a security bond (equivalent of 4 weeks rent maximum), pet bond (maximum $100 in total) and perhaps a letting fee (agents only).”

The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), section 27(1) provides that “Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not require or receive from a tenant or prospective tenant any monetary consideration for or in relation to entering into, renewing, extending or continuing a residential tenancy agreement other than rent and a security bond.”

Subsection (2) provides for some exceptions to the above.

Section 28(1) of the Act provides that “A person shall not require before or during the first 2 weeks of the tenancy under a residential tenancy agreement as rent under the agreement an amount exceeding 2 weeks’ rent.”

Section 28(2) of the Act provides that “A person shall not require any payment of rent
(other than the first payment) under a residential tenancy agreement until the period of the tenancy in respect of which any previous payment has been made has elapsed.”

I have taken the liberty of enclosing a copy of the latest publications relating to tenancies in WA. One is written from the tenant’s point of view and the second from the owner’s.

Should any of your contacts experience a situation whereby the agent/landlord/owner is requiring or has requested any amount in excess of the two weeks rent, security bond
(equivalent of 4 weeks rent), pet bond ($100 max) or a letting fee (only agents can ask)
then we would want to advise that an option they may wish to consider would be to complete a written complaint form (also attached) and provide all documentation/evidence so that Consumer Protection can examine this matter further.

I hope the above has been of assistance to you. More detailed forms and information can be
obtained from the DOCEP website at: www.docep.wa.gov.au or by phoning the general
enquiries line on 1300 30 40 54.

Popularity: 2% [?]

First Offer - What a let down

Well, yesterday I posted about the exciting prospect of receiving our first offer and what a let down!

Nearly 20% below the asking price. I wouldn’t mind but the house has only been on the market for four weeks.

Some folks are just to cheeky. It won’t surprise anyone when I say we turned the offer down straight away.

Halifax (god bless em) have taken the opportunity to offer to view his house to see if they could offer him a mortgage to make up some of the short fall but a shortfall of 20% will take a lot of filling. I think they’ll need to start doing some more serious vetting of potential candidates if the property is well below their price range.

Had another viewing last night (went ok) but no vibes from the viewers. The missus is doing a viewing this afternoon.

The fact that that house is getting interest is keeping our spirits up and at least the sun is shining (its a balmy 73 degree’s as I type this).

We’ll see how the next few weeks pan out.

Popularity: 1% [?]

First offer on the cards

Well, we’ve had a call from the estate agent today advising us that the chap who came to view the house yesterday has made an appointment to pop into the branch tomorrow to make a formal offer.

I have no idea what the offer will be and how much it will meet with our expectations but its a nice positive sign that the house is marketable.

We have a lady (the first one surprisingly) coming to view the house today. Hopefully the missus can use her charm to make the big sell. Having two people interested in buying our houise would be great but just the one will do us for now.

I just hope he doesn’t come back with a stupid offer way below asking price. I know we want to get to Australia as soon as possible but we’ve already drawn our virtual line in the sand and if this chap is below this figure we’ll reject it.

At the end of the day as we’re not in a chain ourselves (we just want to sell up) I’d hope this proves to be an attractive proposition for any potential buyer

Lets see what tomorrow brings, hopefully he turns up!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Current Processing Times for Aussie Visas June 2006

Latest Updates from Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre

As of 6 June 2006 the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre is assessing applications lodged on or before the following dates:

ONSHORE - paper based applications: 22 February 2006 (both priority and non-priority applications)

ONSHORE- e-lodged (online) applications: 27 February 2006 (both priority and non-priority applications) Read more

Popularity: 2% [?]

Western Australia - The boom is coming to an end

A few days ago I wrote about the economy in Western Australia and how the success and draw of this economy is impacting house prices and the availability of rental properties.

Well, a recent article in the Aussie version of the Sunday Times tells us to beware as the good times are due to come to an abrupt end!

BankWest chief economist Alan Langford said WA’s heavy dependence on the commodity cycle made a bust inevitable.

“I deliberately use the word cycle,” he said. “We are in a super high period, but things will come down. I don’t know when or by how much, and there will be some pain. To think it will be a painless adjustment if China were to fall out of bed is pie in the sky, but it is less likely to be the hangover from the last time.”

The housing market was built on credit and Mr Langford warned homeowners against over-stretching themselves in case commodity prices collapsed. “People should be putting something aside and making contingencies for when things turn down,” he said.

“The bottom line is that WA is a net energy exporter. It will start to strain under its own success and an easing back – a modest reduction – might be good for parts of the economy.

“At the moment, things are being delayed, not because of demand but because they can’t get labour.

“I think we are probably in the tail end of the boom, certainly the second half, and will look back in history and see it as medium-to-long-term boom, a five to seven- year boom.”

Market analyst Peter Strachan said WA’s reliance on resources was both WA’s strength and its Achilles heel. He agreed the state’s prosperity was closely tied to demand from China. “If China gets the flu, we are going to catch it as well,” he said. “We are experiencing a boom, but these things always come to an end.

“Part of the problem is that every time you open a mine you need to buy half a dozen bulldozers or trucks, and they all come from places like Korea or the US.

“In my view, we need to be moving up the value-chain a bit.”

But the pain was unlikely to be as harsh as that experienced 20 years ago because in the ’80s it was very much an entrepreneurial boom. Then, property prices were idle until the mid-’90s or even later.

“There was a lot of pain that had to be unwound from that and now, of course, it’s all a distant memory because vacancies are low,” he said.

Despite consensus that a bust was inevitable, investors were being reassured their money was safe in the resources sector.

But Bell Potter Securities wealth management head Heather Zampatti said investors should not put all their eggs in one basket.

Well, that makes the whole situation a lot less confusing….not!

I guess I can view this in a couple of ways. Firstly its kind of a good thing as it may mean that the rate of growth in the housing market (and the associated house prices) may start to ease off a little. If anything, if the ‘boom’ does come to an end it may well make the housing situation in Perth a buyers market.

From a slightly more negative point of view, this isn’t going to happen in the next couple of months, if it is going to happen and it starts to happen not long after we get there then there will be a lot of uncertainty around jobs and companies may put any recruitment drives on hold whilst they wait to see how things pan out.

On the other hand, this is just another view from another economist who may just want to get his name in print. It demonstrates how things can potentially change so easily though.

Anyway, we have a house to sell (another two viewings to be booked in for today hopefully)

Popularity: 2% [?]

House is still on the Market

Well, its been nearly a month now since the house first went on the Market

I’ve been reading some horror stories posted in our forums about folks who have spent months and months before they managed to sell their house.

The thing that concerns me the most I guess is that every month we remain in the UK, the Aussie house prices are starting to rise. Fair enough you still get a lot of house for your Money in Perth but even so, I’d much rather be out there now. Looking at the market whilst starting to plan our future.

Patience is a virtue I guess. In the back of my mind I always knew that it might take a while to find a buyer for our house.

It was in the local paper again last night so I hope this may bring with it some additional interest over the weekend. Heres hoping anyway

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All About Perth - Perths transport system

Perths Transport System

Perth is served by Perth Airport in the city’s east for domestic and international flights and Jandakot Airport in the city’s southern suburbs for light aviation.

Perth has a road network with three freeways, nine metropolitan highways and no toll roads.

Perth metropolitan public transport, including trains, buses and ferries, are provided by Transperth, with links to rural areas provided by Transwa. There are 59 railway stations and 15 bus stations in the metropolitan area.

The Government of Western Australia has significantly increased metropolitan public transport funding in recent years. Initiatives include progressive replacement of the bus fleet and the SmartRider contactless smartcard ticketing system. Additionally, the rail network has been expanded in the northern and southern suburbs as part of the New MetroRail project.

The Indian Pacific passenger rail service connects Perth with Adelaide and Sydney via Kalgoorlie. The Transwa Prospector passenger rail service connects Perth with Kalgoorlie via several wheatbelt towns.

Rail freight terminates at the Kewdale Rail Terminal, 15 kilometres south-east of the city centre.

Perth’s main container and passenger port is at Fremantle, 19 kilometres south west at the mouth of the Swan River .A second port complex is being developed in Cockburn Sound primarily for the export of bulk commodities.

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All About Perth - Tourist attractions in and around Perth

Tourist attractions in and around Perth

Weeks or even months can pass in Perth without substantial rainfall. One of its main attractions are its beaches, located along the city’s coastal suburbs. Perth’s beaches are not as developed as becahes in other Australian cities.

Perth City

The centre of Perth is located on the northern bank of the Swan River, a part of the River known as ‘Perth Water’ and roughly comprises three parallel sections.

The central business district, close to the river, runs along St Georges Terrace and Adelaide Terrace and is the historical core of the city. It includes Government House and several office towers. Parliament House is on the hill to the west looking along St Georges Terrace towards the Darling Scarp.

The retail district, which has its focus on the Hay and Murray Street Malls. These pedestrian malls are interconnected by arcades and walk through shops. Over time the number of hotels in this area has declined, with new hotels being built at the eastern and western ends of the city. Forrest Place, connecting Wellington Street and Murray Street, is a popular meeting spot, and is the site of political rallies and public events. Closed to traffic and redeveloped in the mid-1980s, it is flanked by the Commonwealth Bank and GPO buildings on the west, and the Forrest Chase retail development on the east.

The entertainment and cultural precinct, known as Northbridge commences at the point where the railway land cuts through the city. It extends for at least four blocks north, and is bound at the east by the Library, Art Gallery and Museum, and to the west by the northern suburbs railway.

Kings Park Perth

Kings Park occupies 1,000 acres (4.06 km²) of the crest of a large hill (Mt Eliza) overlooking the CBD.

Larger than New York’s Central Park (843 acres (341 ha)), Kings Park contains Perth’s botanical gardens as well as tracts of natural bushland.

During spring, Kings Park bursts into a world-class display of wildflowers, which is a popular tourist attraction. In August 2003, the Lotterywest Federation Walkway was opened in Kings Park. It is a 620 m long elevated walkway through the treetops, providing a remarkable bird’s eye view of the park and gardens as well as sweeping views of the Swan River.

Perth is a relatively green city, with an abundance of parks and tree-lined boulevards.

Swan Bells

The Swan Bells is a bell tower siting on the edge of the Swan River. It is a copper clad structure representing the sails of a ship.

It houses bells from the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, which were gifts from the United Kingdom to the people of Australia on the occasion of Australia’s 200-year anniversary of colonisation.

The Swan Bells was opened to the public in 2001.

The government of Western Australia took a significant amount of criticism for creating the Bell Tower; it was said that the significant funding allotted for the project (millions of dollars) could have been better placed into the health and education systems, and that the structure could have been better designed aesthetically.

The Perth Convention Exhibition Centre

The Perth Convention Exhibition Centre opened in September 2004. Situated on the river foreshore, only a short walk from the CBD, the Centre is WA’s only purpose built convention, exhibition and meeting centre. It can cater for functions of up to 2500 delegates.

The Centre is expected to attract increased tourism for the state. It is jocularly referred to as ‘The Hayshed’, because of its flat and extended design which originally was intended to resemble a gum leaf.

Perth Mint

Perth Mint is the oldest still-operating mint in Australia. One of two legal tender mints in Australia, the other is in Canberra.

It is open to the public 7 days a week and includes displays and the Perth Mint Shop which buys and sells precious metal proof quality gold and silver coins, bullion, nuggets and jewellery

Islands off the coast of Perth

There are a few islands off the coast of Perth, notably Rottnest Island, a significant tourist attraction.

Other nearby islands include Garden Island (home to a naval base), Carnac Island, Seal Island and Penguin Island. It is possible to walk from the mainland to Penguin Island at low tide. All of these Islands are ‘A’ class nature reserves with restricted access.

The deep shipping channel between Perth and these islands is called Gage Roads, the site of the America’s Cup yachting challenge in 1987.

Fremantle

The historical port city of Fremantle is located at the mouth of the Swan River, and is home to many attractions including Fremantle Prison and the mammoth newly-constructed Western Australian Maritime Museum. Located on the dock at Victoria Quay, the museum houses ‘Australia II, the yacht which won Australia the America’s Cup in 1983. Also in Fremantle is the Maritime Museum shipwreck galleries, with recovered artifacts and part of the hull of the shipwrecked Dutch ship Batavia, from hundreds of years ago. A more recent vessel, the Oberon class submarine the HMAS Ovens has been retired next to the Maritime Museum.

Fremantle (or ‘Freo’ as the locals call it) is renowned both locally, nationally and internationally for it’s easy-going, laid-back lifestyle. Cafes are the heart and soul of Freo, and one cannot visit Fremantle without going to the Fremantle Markets, before having one of the many varieties of coffee on the city’s infamous Capuccino Strip - South Terrace. There are numerous arts and crafts stores to suit all tastes and budgets. Fremantle is well-known for its local Arts scene.

At nightfall, Fremantle is a music-lovers’ paradise. Venues such as the Fly by Night Club and the Newport Hotel offer intimate, but venerable paradises for concerts, other events, or merely chilling out. Fremantle showcases the best in local and international talent. In addition, Fremantle offers many opportunities for clubbing with venues as the Harbourside, Millennium and the Metro.

Other must-see attractions include the Fremantle Arts Centre, as well as the historic precinct around the Round House - Western Australia’s earliest remaining building.

The Aquarium of Western Australia

Perth is home to Australia’s largest underwater walk-through aquarium, AQWA (The Aquarium of Western Australia), at Hillarys Boat Harbour, about 20 km North of Perth.

AQWA first opened in 1988 as Underwater World, but changed its name in 2001 to emphasis it’s links to Western Australia and to avoid confusion with the Underwater World in Singapore, has over 400 species of marine life including fish, sharks, fur seals, sea dragons, turtles, crustaceans and stingrays in a natural like environment.

Following the closure of the Atlantis Marine Park in Yanchep, Underwater World was the home to performing sealions and dolphins. In late December 1999 all of Underwater World’s dolphins died, with forensic tests revealling that the cause of death was deliberate poisoning. AQWA is also used for rehabilitation of injured or sick sea creatures, mainly sea lions, turtles and seals.

Whiteman Park

Whiteman Park is situated in picturesque bushland 25 minutes North East from the City Centre, it forms the western boundary of the Swan Valley wine region. The Park covers an area of more than 42 square kilometres (16 mi²) with nearly half of this classified as high value conservation bushland or wetland. The Park also protects the southern portion of the Gnangara Water Mound - a large underground water source that supplies up to 40% of metropolitan Perth’s drinking water.

The Park takes its name from Mr Lew Whiteman (1903-1994), a prominent local identity and enthusiastic collector of artifacts. His family settled in Guildford from England in the late 19th century and Lew acquired some land around Mussel Pool in the 1940s. This, and other land held by a variety of private owners, was purchased by the State Government in 1978 and combined to form Whiteman Park.

All native wildlife in the Park is protected and more than 100 bird species have been identified. Along with 32 reptile, 7 amphibian and 8 mammals. The Caversham Wildlife Park, containing over 2000 animals and birds of 200 different species, recently moved into an area of park near the Village. There are also a number different collections of transport and machinary equipment as well as working historical tram and Rail lines

Swan Valley Wine Region

The Swan Valley wine region is approximately 16km East of Perth and is Western Australia’s oldest established wine region. It is home to over 35 wineries, many of which have restaurants or cellar-door facilities that are open to the public. Bus and boat tours of the swan valley run regularly from the city.

Perth Beaches

Relatively warm water and mild to large swells make beach-going a popular activity during the warmer months of the year.

Perth’s Indian Ocean beaches stretch for 30km north of the Swan River. There are also inshore beaches along the Swan River at Crawley, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Bay on the north shore, and Como, Canning Bridge and Applecross on the south.

Swimming beaches include the popularCottesloe , near the Cottesloe train station, City Beach, Swanbourne Free Beach, which has nude bathing, Scarborough Trigg and Hillarys.

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All About Perth - Perth Education

Perth Education

Perth is home to four public universities, and one private university: the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Notre Dame respectively.

The University of Western Australia, which was founded in 1911, is renowned as one of Australia’s leading research institutions.

The university’s monumental neo-classical architecture, most of which is carved from white limestone, is a notable tourist destination in the city. Curtin University of Technology is Western Australia’s largest university, and was known from its founding in 1966 until 1986 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT).

Murdoch University was created from land held by UWA in the late 1970s. Edith Cowan University was established in the early 1990s to cope with tertiary education needs in the north west metropolitan area of Perth. The University of Notre Dame was established in 1990 and was the first Catholic university in Australia.

Popularity: 5% [?]

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