Whether it's strata property or house, do you have any tips to avoid 'cheap' properties? Those ones being sold because they don't want to deal with the 'issue' anymore.
Some examples of issues: neighbours is pyscho or leaves meat out. Trucks at night. High burglary from gangs. Hidden smells. Spiders.
Solution is to sniff around and camp outside a property overnight?
Buy the whole suburb
Those ones being sold because they don't want to deal with the 'issue' anymore.
Check that the seller isn't selling very shortly after buying - if they are, make sure they have a good reason. Otherwise it might point to the property having an issue that only becomes apparent after moving in.
Other than that:
Spiders
Sorry what? You do realise what country you're in, right?
DIY pest control.
Whenever a huntsman moves into my place he gets called Bob, and I greet him each morning
Females normally have a bob in the bedside drawers 😂
neighbours is pyscho or leaves meat out.
Spending a bit of time on the forums lately I see!
Something will happen regardless of where & what you buy. All depends on the person you are & if you can tolerate it.
If anything, Oz bargain has taught me to never live in a unit. Though the stories about houses with bad neighbours aren't better.
I have a close friend who lives in a unit.
He has some new neighbours, a young couple, they are constantly arguing and fighting, there are also sounds of stuff being smashed…
Be careful with units.
You cant win. House or unit.
Have a chat with your would be neighbours other neighbour. Intro yourself, say you might be moving in, want some advice on the area, make friends.
you mean intro yourself as a VCAT member ?
Can be worth asking the local police for their opinion too
Better yet, old people who are out and about during the day - they see a lot. Also local businesses like newsagents or cafes. Pick a quiet time when nobody is around and you'll get to chat to them while they're making a coffee for you and strike up a conversation.
I hang around the closest supermarket for a few hours. Gives you a good sense of who and what lives nearby.
this!
Can you elaborate on “hang around”
Do you really just stand outside or wait inside for aircon or wait inside your car with your window open staring at the entrance or something?
Legit curious as I may have to do this 😂
This sounds snobbish and might not meet your budget, but an affluent area can help you avoid these problems.
They either have retired neighbors who've lived there a long time, high paying professionals who've moved into the area (partners, senior managers), successful business people who can buy for cash, etc and so are probably more rational/reasonable.
There are many people at home (retired, stay at home parent - one bread winner, by choice) and many landscapers and cleaners doing outsourced work during the day, and a lot of people walking/jogging the tree lined streets during the day which helps with lower burglary rates.
Also, the blocks are bigger (e.g. 2x normal sized blocks) resulting in fewer issues.
Funnily enough the only time we have had our cars vandalised was when we lived in "affluent areas". Affluent areas may be less of a problem but entitled a-holes can be just as big a problem as the "poor people" and the larger blocks make them prime targets for redevelopment as apartments.
Make sure you get a lawyer to review the contract before you buy, in case of any hidden nasties!
When you inspect the property, turn on everything to make sure everything works. You are well within your rights to turn on the taps (listening for banging in the pipes!), flush the toilets, turn on the oven, check the stove works, turn on the heating/cooling, check under the property (wooden stumps will need to be replaced in the near future and that is VERY expensive), get a building and pest inspection done.
And like the others have said, talk to the neighbours, camp out at the property at different times to see what traffic is like (you never know, it might be a popular place for street parking on weekends due to a nearby sporting club or something like that) and what the neighbours are like.
Good luck!
When you're inspecting the property, go at different times
Also, go on foot and take public transport.
https://www.domain.com.au/living/spot-property-lemon/
The time of day is important. We found one street that seemed to be nice and quiet until we realised their was a florist supply place in the street. It would've been a nightmare of trucks in the wee hours as the delivery vans set out for the day.
Contact the strata manager ask for the last 2 AGM minutes, talk to them on the phone, and ask if there is any issues, they might let something slip if you have a chat with them. (I don't think they are obliged to do anything for a potential buyer)
buy a house with acreage land, or get a penthouse