Sugo

Hi

Well finally got my 457 visa, and had the sticker put into my passport.

So looking for somewhere to live.

Just really wanna ask those who have already done it if there is anything they know now that they wish they knew when they were starting out.

Especially in relation to renting. We are looking to rent in melbourne and we have a week to find somewhere as I start work on the 27th and our stuff arrives the same time.

Does anyone have any advice, any major problems they had.

What should we know.

Any help would be great.

ozzieeagle

What size place are you after, Rents vary from 180 bucks per week, for an outer suburb unit. Through to 700 bucks a week for a inner city house.

Geelong Gent

http://www.sugo.com.au/

Perhaps around Armadale/Malvern?

Ria_Wild

I've been recommended this website & it looks good: http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...s&snf=rbs&a=sf

Keep in mind rent is listed per week, not by month.

Apparently you need to fill in application forms, viewings are only on open days - what happens after that to secure that it's yours, well I don't know. Apparently it's not common to hand over a deposit to hold it.

Also apparently most people in Melbourne wouldn't not pay more than $500 a week.

Now what worries me is where on earth do I live until I can rent? I don't have a fortune of money to waste on hotels!

Shakmaty

$500 a week

Until you rent you can get serviced apartment s for a couple of weeks, or some people have styed in holiday parks, caravans like

kiwi_child

That is a very good site!


If you are single or a couple without children I'd suggest a backpackers or caravan park that rents caravan/cabin accommodation. Many backpackers will allow you an extended stay and have a weekly rate. They will have single and double rooms available, not just dorms.

lor

Our first eight weeks in Melbourne was spent in a serviced apartment in Mount Waverley with these guy's.

tap://www.serviced-apartments.com.au/

Not cheap at Sixty pound a night,but has everything you might need for a comfy start.

Good luck.
Lor

rajj

Bad news is that its damn hard to get rentals at present - lots of people per property turning up and ocassionally bidding wars push the rent past the asking amount (at least according to recent media reports).

Local referees help in my opinion.

My advice is LIE, LIE, LIE....

When we were looking a few years ago we were reduced to giving the missus's brother's name in Qld as referee who pretended to be an old landlord (who verified that we were great tenants for years !!!). Tell them that both you & partner ARE on big bucks.

Sad but there you go

furkew

Have to agree a bit with Rajj on this one a bit as well.

We have been here 2 weeks, and we are actually looking to buy ASAP, but rental is as bad as buying at the moment. Its a NIGHTMARE !!

There is almost no choice, and you have to decide too fast, otherwise you miss out.

Prices vary massively, but Melbourne is big, so you need to decide on where you are looking to live, and then start looking. They will probably not be interested in enquirys through the net, because properties will be gone before you arrive.

I recommend renting at a serviced appt or Big4 or similar, will give you time to look, and although dearer, it will give you time to look properly.

If you are looking either Montrose area or Ferntree Gully area, PM me, I might be able to help with short term rental (affordable).

Good luck, and congrats with the visa.

lor

Hi furkew
That's the very reason ,why we purchased our house after four weeks of being in the country and even then we had to more quick. As another couple were just as keen.

Luckily for us, it all worked out in the end.

furkew

we have been here 2 weeks, and have just put in an offer on a house.

We have left our details at about 15 real estate agents, and they have almost NOTHING to sell in any price bracket. The cheaper the bracket, the harder it gets.

We asked about a house that was one week on the market for $425,000 plus. It had already gone for $475,000

On Britvics, one poster talked about 30 viewers in one house in just one half an hour viewing !!!! You have 30 minutes to decide, otherwise you are too late.

lor

It scarey(and even more so at the time)but we had three hours until the other couple were due in the estate agents office, with their offer.

Apparently the other couple, we're still hassling the vendors and agent right up until the settlement for this place.

Good luck with your offer and we must do that pint soon

rajj

On a slightly brighter note, be mindful that its more than possible that the majority of the 30 viewers would have been 'sticky beakers'. We were sticky beaking for a long time before we were actually ready to buy. Its common here I reckon.

furkew

but it still does mean the odds are against you, but I know what you mean.

I have never seen so many sold stickers in an estate agents window.

We saw one real estate agent with about 50/60 houses in the window yesterday, and only about 10 where not sold.

furkew

Sounds good to me.

PM me with some details and i'll get in touch. Sounds crazy, but in 2 weeks we have a pretty busy social agenda at the moment, considering we knew nobody when we arrived.