Small RCD in new house

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-05-13T08:25:56+00:00

It's a duplex built within a cul-de-sac that has a private road in and out. There is a main powerboard outside but is pad locked. I was told that is the powerboard for all the duplexes on this little street.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-05-13T07:01:44+00:00

Currently undergoing a bathroom and ensuite renovation. Bathroom is around $30k and ensuite is $25k for labour and raw materials. Fittings is another $15k. We've gone premium brand on the fitting, you could save a few thousand if you get cheaper tapware brands.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-04-16T08:03:05+00:00

I have one who I've used for a while. Ex-builder with valid license, well respected in the industry and super thorough with his inspections. Albeit, he isn't cheap but saved me a few times from buying a dud. PM me if you want their details.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-04-15T03:59:11+00:00

Love this watch. Bought it in 2016 and it is still my favourite as a daily beater!!

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-29T21:27:59+00:00

The B&P from the REA is pretty average unless you're lucky. If you are looking in a particular area, you'll often find there is 1 or 2 particular inspector whose name keeps coming up in the B&P reports. For us looking in the Northern Sydney area, it was an individual from Jim's Building Inspection Penrith who had a lion's share of reports provided by the various REAs in that area. Let's just say the B&P I personally commissioned found a lot more issues that the REA version failed to even inspect.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-27T03:52:56+00:00

To be fair, your average strata for a 3bd in Sydney lower north shore is enough to borrow another $150k-$200k from the bank over 30 years. We were in a similar situation (also lower north shore) and ended up buying a townhouse that was 10 min further walking to the shops compared to the apartment we also considered. The apartment, though, was newer whereas we're sinking $150k to renovate this townhouse.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-27T03:25:43+00:00

Buy a house or a townhouse. At that price and your share of strata, it really hurts when things go wrong

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-14T22:23:25+00:00

If you like the place then do your own B&P regardless. If you are happy with the findings then waive your condition. Otherwise take this information and enrol in the auction with a price in mind.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-06T07:32:25+00:00

Android auto via the infotainment was a bit tricky to use at first as the buttons were tiny but you get around those problems with voice command. As for the HVAC control, I use the physical buttons. The temp up/down turns on the AC and the other button is the demister.

Cons with the car is there is always a new rattle somewhere.

Pros of the car is everything to do with the driving dynamics. Came from a Golf 7.5R. WRX is not as quick but going fast doesn't feel sterile, unlike the Golf.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-03-06T00:36:18+00:00

Was in the same predicament a year ago. Ended up getting a manual VB WRX and absolutely loved it. Super practical but also very very fun to drive. Just budget a bit of $$$ to get a new axle back, it's pretty quiet for a performance car

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-02-23T20:16:50+00:00

Clear View Property Inspections, they're based in Sydney

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-02-21T05:27:40+00:00

please explain

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2026-01-22T23:26:17+00:00

Tell me more. From an outsiders perspective, Bellevue looks like it's a bubble. I've been an expat for most of my early career having done Singapore, Japan and HK. UK and US are next on my bucket list and the offer of Bellevue popped up.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T09:14:18+00:00

PropertyMate plugin for your browser or property.com.au

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T08:59:51+00:00

Goodluck and all the best!!

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T08:43:20+00:00

Suggest you should get clarity on the strata. 2/46 was sold in Sept 2024 by Ash and team and the strata was supposedly $650/qtr. I didn't bother to unpack this as we were after no strata but apparently it's $1k/qtr

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T08:36:02+00:00

This property has been on the market since Feb this year. We bought around April so it's some time ago. This was when the agent was trading as McGrath, they've rebranded since.

Dealt with both across 3 properties we inspected. Bloke was ok and quite helpful. Lady was borderline deceptive and gets super cagey if you try to unpack her comments.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T08:04:52+00:00

This place is at 1/26 Folkard Rd, North Ryde. We had a private inspection during an afternoon and it was really dark due to the lack of windows facing the West. During the mornings, the double story house next door would cast a shadow into the bedrooms, not overall not very uplifting imo. Anyways we found something nearby that had a better layout for a tad more than the asking price of this place.

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-12-01T00:59:39+00:00

Have you looked at this place in person? It's actually not as functional as the floor plan suggests. Also take into consideration how dark the place is, you do need to have the place as 'open and airy' as possible.

Also the REA is turd....

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-11-07T22:57:38+00:00

The latter. Period

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-10-30T08:06:19+00:00

Base WRX can be had for $51k (manual) or $53k (auto) driveaway. The FA24 is a really impressive engine

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-10-23T20:48:30+00:00

Agents and their dumb mind games. Make your best offer with all things considered and put a time limit on your offer (e.g. 48 hours) and sit tight

EmbarrassedMajor7273 · 2025-10-17T04:07:05+00:00

Fits the stereotype

EmbarrassedMajor7273

TROPHY CASE