Originally posted by kevmitch
Mandy

Depending on what we can sell our house here for and how the business takes off, I guess we'll be looking around the $600-650,000 range, but not for at least the first 6 to 12 months until we've had a chance to have a good look around and decide where we're finally going to settle.

Thanks for the tips on the various estate agents. I've had a look on Realestate.com. Do the prices shown tend to be 'overstated', 'understated, or about what you actually need to pay - for both rented and purchased property? From an earlier string, I remember somebody saying the rental market around Sydney is awash with properties and they were able to get a (significant) discount on the published price ($400 per week against a listed rent of around $600)

You mention more houses coming into your price range. Does this suggest prices are stable/falling, or just more properties available?

Oh, I'd guessed you meant a station with regard to Pennant Hills, rather than the only 'happening' place!

Thanks

Kev

Originally posted by renth
That does include a couple of visits to Langtrees though

Originally posted by kevmitch
Mandy

Changing the subject slightly, did you find any problem renting - i.e. no previous history in Australia, no Landlord references, etc? It has been suggested we may need to stump up at least six months rent and the deposit upfront - not a problem, but I would prefer to 'pay as we go'. Did you find this?

We're looking to move into a similar house somewhere around St Ives/Hornsby/Kilara/Forestville area from around August onwards - can you recommend any letting agents?


Thanks


Kev

Originally posted by Ceri
Just a suggestion - about this subject, when we first came to Aus, we did not have any references of course from any previous landlords to rent a house. What we did to get our first rental house here, was to get an Aussie resident (which was our boss at the time) to write a letter of reference for us to give to the landlord.

we just paid 2 weeks in advance, plus the bond (which should be the same amount as 4 weeks rent).

But that's we did anyway , we just got a reference from an Australian. - it depends on the landlord.



Cheers

Originally posted by terryg
Hi Kev

The prices tend to be understated and vary wildly. I was in Melbourne at the begining of this year and spent 3 full days with 2 different property buying agents to try and build up my knowledge of real estate out there. A property may be advertised as say $500k plus - This may sell for say $570k/ It also depends on which state you are after - 90% of properties in Melbourne go for auction but this is less so in other states. -As usual it is a case of supply and demand.

All the best

Terry