s1mon321

Cheers Richard, looking at those areas on domain.com.au as we speak, er type.

Simon

tazkenny

I'm in the south of Chatswood, only 10 mins walk downhill to Artarmon station. Apartment is amazing but over 500 p/w . Agree Artarmon isn't the best of places, I just use it for convenience to get into the city. Crows nest is a lovely place in my opinion, and so is Lane cove. Recommend them both.

why

i miss living in crows nest..after 6 years there it felt quite like home for me...if was going to live in sydney it's the only bit i would live in..lower north shore up wards...
crows nest has got a nice "viilage" feel and i got to know loads of people there.

i always facied balmain as well..used to hang out there a bit when i lived in drummoyne..same"village" feeling..yet ten minutes from the action

Potato_potato

You could have gotten a money order from the post office & used EFTPOS to pay for it. EFT limits are higher than withdrawing from an ATM.

Money orders are as acceptable as bank cheques, actually they're preferred by most RE AGENTS.

They come in totals of $1k maximum limits or can be made out for less like a cheque. They charge a $3.50 fee per money order.

AndyR1976

Hi people,

Just wanted to add.

When we were looking late last year (central coast admitedly, but still a shortage of goo d rentals up here) we had a couple of situations where there were a dozen or more couples looking at the one place.

I basically looked at the websites every day (sometimes 2-3 times a day) and as soon as something come up I phoned and asked to look.

When we put in our application we put in the application letter to explain our circumstances - obviously we emphasised the GOOD points (we are a young couple, non smokers, no pets, we have good jobs, good salary etc etc etc.) . I think the letter gives the agent (and owner) a feeling that they kow more about you than the other applicants who just put down the standard answers.

I have owned rentals and we all know what landlords look for - good, long term tenants who wil pay the rent, look after the place etc. so I emphasised this on the letter.

Worked a treat for use - we have a great 3 bedroom place, overlooking terrigal, 300 metres from the beach, double garage, big entertaining deck with views.......

Just have to be in the right time at the right place, and also make sure that you stand out as the best applicant for the place

Reedy

Simon,

A tip would be to take all the documents that you need with you e.g. references from previous employer and Australian employer, evidence of funds in bank (statement or advice slip!) with you so that you can sort it out there and then! Make friends with the Real Estate Agent too as they ultimately get to make the decision of who gets the rental!!!

Renting in Sydney is very expensive though I would say approx twice the price of in Melbourne!!!! I can't compare anywhere else. Sydney has a fabulous coast and the beaches are stunning though

Watch out for the cockroaches - I kid you not!!! Look out for them on your inspection in the cupboards - you might not want to find flying ones late in the night like I did I sprayed them with Mortian and they flew straight at me.............

Good luck

Lau x

TravellingSi

Thanks for the tip, I havent tried money orders and they sound cheaper than bank cheques, so maybe next time round. But the problem was that I had just opened a bank account, so no EFTPOS...

augigi

Best way I paid a bond was direct online bank transfer - easy peasy!

Nevis

I see lots of people recommend Lane Cove and Crows Nest. Can anyone let me know which are the nearest train stations to these places. Many thanks

paddyo

Lane Cove is the awkward one, need to get a bus from there either into the CBD or to Artarmon station then train the rest of the way.

Crows Nest would be dependant on where in it you are but choice of 4 from St Leonards down to North Sydney.

Katherined0

Lane Cove is a nice area, but there is no train station and the buses in and out of the CBD at rush hour are a nightmare! (standing room only!)

s1mon321

Ignoring the 'risk' factor, would any real estate agents consider an application without the person having viewed the property first????

If we really liked an area, had seen the ad as soon as it had appeared and liked what we saw - what would stop us for putting in an application and paying the bond??

Yes I know it would be risky etc, but would they consider it??? We will only be able to afford to stay in a hotel for a few weeks.

Cheers,

Simon

jondon

In my opinion it is as bad as people say. We arrived in Jan 2007 and wanted to live in the inner west (Newtown, Erskineville, Alexandria etc to be near friends). We spent over two weeks getting up at 9am and looking until early evening everyday (we got bloody jobs in our field before we had somewhere to live!). We eventually got our place in Alexandria through begging the estate agent to let us see it before the home open and paying a deposit there and then (that said the house is lovely).

We are now trying to buy in the same area and that's just as bad. And with the interest rate rises I reckon renting is now gonna get harder as people think twice about buying.

Jon

tazkenny

Another tip for snagging the apartment of choice is using a relocation company. Yes you will have to pay for the privilage but with their influence you should get to view the property before "open day" and get your application in first. They also do all the work in finding a list if properties that suit you, arrange a viewing for them all on a single day and take you round them all. Worked for me, thankfully it was part of my relo package so dunno how much it costs. Worth looking into.

paddyo

Thats my plan as well, should make it go smoother although with me being a control freak not sure if the poor Broker will find it so smooth!!