Are the websites of realestate.com.au and domain.com.au representative of the prices in the areas or do you think there are cheaper houses not advertised there.

Any ideas as to whether i WILL find cheaper properties in the areas im looking for in Sydney city of manly/balmain/paddington areas

Are there any other websites dedicated to this or am i better getting there and looking in newsopapers and independant estate agentsd windows.

Will i find properties cheaper this way and i dont mind going to auction and doing something up

Any hints and tips even in a PM would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

al

There are some esp for rent that you might find only be visitng the agents, but the vast majority are on those sites. Toed up in a closed shop, lone a lot of things here.

These sites represent prices across the entire nation. The sites themselves are not responsible for the prices; hundreds (if not thousands) of real estate agents from all over the country post their properties on those sites. The two sites are therefore not "closed shops" because they do not sell properties; they merely sell advertising space. They are not real estate agencies; they merely allow real estate agencies to publicise their properties.

There's no point in looking for another site in the hope of finding a cheaper house; if an area has an average value, the houses sold in that area will reflect that value, regardless of what site they appear on.

If you want something a little more specific, look for the local website of a real estate agent in the area you want to live in.

It is worth remembering that not ALL proberties being sold by an agent will be on Domain or RealEstate. In my experience it is always worth checking individual agents sites and shop windows, despite it taking longer.
Good luck!

Try www.homehound.com.au

The service is brought to you by Property Page Pty Ltd (PPL), a company owned and controlled by the real estate industry's major franchise groups including L.J Hooker, Century 21, Ray White, Raine and Horne and The National Real Estate Franchise Association of Australia.

thank you

I can categorically say that there are no 'cheap' properties in any of those areas.

It's every Sydney house-hunters dream - that there's a small, desirably-located property that needs a little work to make it gorgeous where the vendor has no idea of its potential value (yeah right!) and they just put a small three-line ad in the back of the local paper, where the only person to notice it is said house-hunter.

It never happens... People are too clued up about real-estate values and unrenovated houses sell for almost as much (more sometimes) as the renovated versions.

Edited to say that if you really want to live near Balmain, Paddington or Manly you should be looking at their cheaper neighbouring suburbs. Checkout Lilyfield, Rozelle, Surry Hills, East Redfern, Balgowlah or Harbord - that's where you'll find the comparative bargains.

The median house prices will guide you as to what to expect to pay in those suburbs, plus you can investigate how much houses have sold for recently (domain.com.au has this facility, though it won't include all houses sold in the suburb as some real estate agents do not submit the information).

There are very few bargains left in those suburbs, but a deceased estate in need of total renovation may come up. However, you will be in competition with developers and buyers in the same position as you so may end up paying over the odds.

If you look at properties on busy roads (eg Darling Street in Balmain) or busy railway tracks, ones on smaller blocks (less than 100m sq), with no parking, minimal backyard, outdoor toilet, outdoor laundry facilities, next to a pub or service station, neighbours with dogs or large families, views of brick walls, next to social housing or a large block of units - these features will also help bring the price down.

Some of the smaller real estate agents will not have a website - they probably won't have many properties for sale either, but may be worth calling up and asking to be put on to their database and to be contacted if/when suitable properties come on the market (or are about to - some get snapped up very quickly).

Given the money you quoted in your other thread, I really think that you will struggle to find a house in that area. To be honest, you would probably be lucky to find a decent unit for that sort of money - units in Balmain, which are few and far between, usually go for well above $400k. If you go to Balmain Shores, then you will be looking at a minimum of $500k for a 1 bed place.

Just to make you cry though, have a look at what your budget could get you in, say, Minto Heights - 4 beds, 2 garages, rumpus room...

S

Try www.justlisted.com.au

House website are ok for a rough idea for whats about for your money but i found that they were not realy up to date. Nothing beats a bit of window shopping anyway , or get friendly with a realestate (not too friendly )

cheers. this money is to be mortgage free, but i dont mind a small home loan. will check out more when we get there but ive already sourced 3 bed 2 bathroom houses 1-2 miles from city centre BRISBANE for $300,000-$400,000 brand new and all mod cons. 2 minutes from cuity and mortgage free.

ill wait til im there but its a respectable plan b and we would be near fortitude valley/new farm/./city for this amouunt. will do research on the areas first before deciding.

al

Remember that being mortgage free isn't everything. I thought it was really important, but now I think I'd rather have a mortgage and be able to live the lifestyle I want to lead than live in the back end of beyond just not to have a home loan.

S

i understand you entirely mate.

this is why im serously considering brisbane cbd as plan b.

ill look 30 miunutes out of sydney in a big sweep and if i cant find anythiung wothout having a big motgage (as i want money free to have a life and the £150,000 isnt all the equity we have, we want to have a life too!

All we want is a little 2 bed, no sprawling mansion.

You can easily get this brand new in Brissie for the price we want. 4 beds even and sstill in zone one, maybe no beaches but half hour on a bike to g.c. and sunnie coast! besides there is the south bank too a quick bus ride away.

Quality of life to me doesnt mean busting my balls again to be in a "trendy" area. id rather be on the edge of a city or not at all.

I dont want to pay inflated prices for shitholes either.

At least my bubble of a beachside apartment in manlya is now well and truly burst that i can now afford to buy in cambelltown LOL.

Cheers guys and i will see you all in 6 months for you all to show me your area.

Al

whats so bad about where you are mate and what would you change.
al

p.s. are you in touch wi graham(northerner)

al