Would It Be Crazy to Pay a Random to Check out an Apartment/Townhouse to Buy in Sydney?

trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 22:05
Last edited 04/01/2022 - 23:24 by 1 other user

I was super hoping to buy an apartment/townhouse, my first! Was looking at about <$660K, in Sydney (checking Wentworthville, Toongabbie, St Marys so far).

Things were going well until a mix of Covid and my parent getting severely sick meant I'm staying in another state right now. Before my parent passes away, they kind of always wanted to to see me pass this milestone in life (buy a place) while they're still alive. If there's a possibility I'd like to do it.

Would it be crazy to buy something at over half a million sight unseen? My reasoning is, I already know what I want based on the online ad (and what I've seen previously), so basically I just need someone to confirm it's correct and there's nothing left off (like neighbours/sound/trash heap next door etc). I've been checking those suburbs before so area wise I know I'm okay with, and most major stuff (foundation/plumbing/electricity) I'd use a building inspection for sure anyway. In fact I don't really know what I could really add being there besides what I want based on layout (though I may be misguided because how much I want this to happen).

So essentially:
* Would I be crazy to do this?
* Where could I find someone who could check for me? (I don't really have any mates I could ask, I'd be willing to pay like quite a bit)
* Tempted to use the "find me a bargain" section in case anyone knows a bargain place :p ?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • SF3 on 04/01/2022 - 22:06
    +6

    OP's username may checkout.

  • CheapskateQueen on 04/01/2022 - 22:11
    +6

    unless you have millions of dollars such that blowing half a mill is no big deal, yes, it is the absolute most dumbest thing I have ever heard

    • SF3 on 04/01/2022 - 22:24

      OP would need to change their username if s/he proceeds.

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 22:28

      Lol, I'm obviously bias due to whats going on right now at home. Mind noting down anything particular that I could add that some random (potentially say a pre-inspection builder) couldn't? I think it may help me knock me down a bit (also I get a lot of "that's crazy" but not really any reasoning).

  • miwahni on 04/01/2022 - 22:11
    +6

    If you're willing to pay "quite a bit" had you considered finding a buyer's agent? They do this for a living, and can help with your negotiations as well.

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 22:22

      had you considered finding a buyer's agent?

      Thanks for this, it is one of the routes I was thinking of going, I've heard positive and negative things about them but it may be the safest bet. I think the worry I have is that they may put time/cost in the areas I don't really need (finding a place/negotiating/calculating future profits) as opposed to the place I do need (visual inspection of the place). But honestly it may be the only closest that would work.

  • Stopback on 04/01/2022 - 22:11
    +1

    Air tasker it. Face book live.

    You don't have any family members who could help.

    Yeah social networks are powerful tools wish I was more connected. Lots of things you can acess with contacts.

    Be it health food etc.

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 22:24

      Air tasker it. Face book live.

      lol I wasn't sure if they would do it, but possibly could work! I was thinking maybe if there was a building company/pre-inspection building company, that anyone could recommend which could be a good semi professional option. Though an Airtasker builder might work too.

  • RockyRaccoon on 04/01/2022 - 22:14
    +1

    I'd be willing to pay like quite a bit

    This isnt Gumtree, and which oil rig did you say you work on.

    My joking aside - you cant be serious!

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 22:25

      haha, lots of $$$ just need to confirm this 5 digit SMS I'll send through. It'll be fine, "trust" is in my name :p.

  • elgrande on 04/01/2022 - 22:58

    Not crazy if you know what your looking for.

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 23:49

      I think this is it for me, because I know exactly what I want (like exact link), I just need a confirmation its how it looks IRL.

  • pharkurnell on 04/01/2022 - 23:36

    I know your parents wanna see you in a place,. but this isnt something to rush into or risk.

    Whose responsible if it ends up a shithole costing you thousands (eg Opal towers) - your on ya own in that case.

    YMWVAA

    • trustnoone on 04/01/2022 - 23:57

      Whose responsible if it ends up a shithole costing you thousands (eg Opal towers)

      Thanks for your message!! I don't think me seeing it will change much? (obviously I'll see it via video/and the random will see it) but the only way to know if its like Opal Towers is a proper building check which I'm definitely doing either way as its not something I can catch. The only part I'm skipping is me seeing if it looks like the photo vs someone else seeing if it looks like the photo and showing me a video. I'm also going for townhouse, or apartment under 30 units only. Still though, as you say, a $600k lemon and I'm stuffed for life lol!

  • Master Bates on 05/01/2022 - 00:28

    Get a few quotes from these upstanding folk

  • morse on 05/01/2022 - 03:50
    +3

    my parent getting severely sick… Before my parent passes away

    Just focus on caring for and time with your parents. If you can’t be with them in person, lots of video chats. Drag out the old photos, reminisce about family moments, send/share food, listen to music - whatever your family does to connect. Whilst I’m sure they would like to see you buy your own place, this isn’t going to be as important to them as quality time together. They equally won’t want to see you impulse buying real estate, especially if it’s a poor investment that sends you into financial stress.

    Not sure, but kind of sounds like you might be struggling with stress and/or anticipatory grief and this project of buying a place is a distraction/coping mechanism. Taking on something like this might cause you additional stress which you probably don’t need.

    they kind of always wanted to to see me pass this milestone in life (buy a place) while they're still alive

    Your parents love you and will be proud of you no matter what. You don’t need to buy a place right now.

  • Snake 4 on 05/01/2022 - 08:16

    I think you are crazy contemplating buying in Toongabbie, Wentworthville and St Marys. No way I would buy in Werrington or Kingswood either.

    An extra 7 minutes on the train from St Marys gets you to Penrith. Much much better area but stay away from Thornton near the train station unless you like living amongst 5,000+ people.

    BTW. It's doubled in size since the 2014 drawing and still growing.

    https://thefifthestate.com.au/innovation/building-constructi…

  • bobbified on 05/01/2022 - 08:49

    Would it be crazy to buy something at over half a million sight unseen?

    For a rental, I've done this (used a friend), but I wouldn't do it for an actual purchase that I'll be paying off for years to come. Yes, you can sell it if it turns out to be a dud, but you'll need to pay tens of thousands extra in stamp duty to sell up and buy another place.

  • 87percent on 05/01/2022 - 11:19

    I highly recommend buyers agents. When we were looking to buy, we gave our agent our wish list, and they shortlisted houses for us. Was able to check them out privately. Not only that, come auction day, they did the bidding for us while we just sat there

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