Molly Coddle

Thanks for that knav.

Just got it. Thank you.

Bermudashorts

I honestly don't know what means. I thought people mainly used domain.com.au or real estate.com.au. Is that who you mean? Who are you recommending instead?

paulry

I think they mean settlement brokers (or whatever they're known as). Companies that hold new migrants hands - providing advice and assistance with things like selecting properties to buy/rent, enrolling their kids in schools, the purchasing of cars, yadda yadda.

knav2013

Not used domain.com.au or realestate.com.au, but I was recommended one of these by a trusted source. I reckon these are more for non-furnished properties.

I am talking about the websites that do package "deals". Something like what Pauly is saying. If you are not aware of domain.com.au or realestate.com.au, or are looking for a furnished apartment, where you just need a suitecase to "move-in", you can easily get tempted into a package "deal".

knav2013

Are you sure these "settlement brokers" (or whoever we cannot seem to come-up with a definite name for) only "cast the net", so to speak, for migrants.

I think some offer properties for a minimum of seven nights, a non-migrant could also book if they were attending a conference, training program, on business....If only there was a rating scheme for these "settlement brokers" or there were more reviews done by the likes of choice.com.au. Choice.com.au does offer reviews on holiday home rentals. But have to jump through some hoops to get to them..I mean, you click, on 'Travel' ---> 'general travel' ---> 'airline travel' ---> 'hotel booking sites and other options', and you then get 'top tips'.

There you get more options, 'hotel booking' sites, 'house swapping', (it is 'house' not wife/husband), 'holiday letting'...and so on..

didn't know these settlement brokers (or similar, whatever they are called) also handled enrolling children at schools, advice on buying cars. Is that all together?, or do they just do enrolling children at school or the buying cars.

From what I can make out, domain.com.au gives you the properties with the estate agent (realtor) name, contact details, so you are dealing with the estate agent (realtor). The websites I said dont usually deal with estate agents, they are more holiday/business rentals.

old.sparkles

Do you mean like HomeAway, Stayz or Airbnb?

knav2013

Similar to those..although personally not booked through the ones you say. Interesting that with stayz, once you search for places to stay, you can book activities and car hire also. One of the service providers I booked with, the website is actually identical to stayz. You cant hire a car though, just links to car hire and dating websites.

The other service provider I used, you can book a car rental and purchase travel insurance. Also, you are able to book a chauffeur driven limousine to pick you up from the airport. Dont really know what these services are like. I only booked a studio apartment through these chaps.

Anyway, not naming any names. I can rate them but cannot recommend.

Molly Coddle

For short term accommodation I've been looking at Airbnb and whilst we are in our short term accommodation we will check properties out with the local estate agents, I think that is going to be the best way.

paulry

There was a woman several years ago on "wanted down under" who ran a business as a "settlement broker" (or whatever they were called) - she was somewhere on the QLD coast if I remember correctly. But that was in the days when cashed up poms were arriving here thick and fast. Most arrive on a tight budget these days.

But to be honest, doing it yourself is half the fun and challenge.

OzTennis

Topical article on creative renting in Melbourne:

http://theage.domain.com.au/real-est...606-39ncj.html

knav2013

You get more smileys on here than facebook. ...I'm impressed.

"But that was in the days when cashed up poms were arriving here thick and fast. Most arrive on a tight budget these days."

also works the other way..you got entrepreneurs like Richard Farleigh, who made it big in Britain in the 90's beginning of the 2000's, used to appeared on the Brit Dragon's Den. (I think this program is common to both Aussies and Poms..Aussies have their own version). I reckon he was one of the best dragon's.

Someones gonno have to do really well to pull the wool over his eyes.

paulry

An interesting and thought provoking article. These days buying your own home means you are signing up to a life of debt slavery - especially in Australia.

The RBA says you're probably better off renting

sr71

I fully agree, I probably pay 1/2 what I'd be paying for a mortgage in the property I'm in. I'd also rather have the lifestyle and freedom that comes with that. (Bunnings, DIY, gardening etc give me chills)

Molly Coddle

Interesting article.

I can't ever see us buying in Australia, I don't think we will be there forever but who knows. Never say never.


The only thing that will really annoy me about renting is not being able to have the house how I would like it regarding colour scheme etc.
I suppose I will just have to shut up and put up or try and find a house that's to my taste. Which unfortunately reminds me, If I come across another yellow kitchen on the Ozzie rental site............:Argghhhhh! I've never seen so many yellow kitchens in one place!

paulry

We just need to get past the ingrained "need" to own our home. Oh and not have too much clutter so that we can move easily when circumstances and requirements dictate. Another big plus is not having to pay the massive EA, legal and stamp duty fees every time we move.

And blue half size baths!

I'm not sure I'd be so keen on the idea of staying with renting if I didn't own a property in the UK.

Which reminds me, don't forget to get landlord insurance on your UK house before you leave. I'm so glad we did because 6 months after we left our tenants had a pan fire that destroyed the kitchen. It cost over 30,000 pounds to replace.