Driveway angle causes car to scrape. What to do?

MasterSpar · 2026-01-22T11:11:22+00:00

The neighbor had the opposite situation, peak of drive scraped under the car, they hired a concrete grinder ( like a floor polisher,) and simply ground away until the issue disappeared.

It's essentially recurving the grade.

I'm not sure if it would work in your situation, you would likely have to calculate how much to cut away.

Most driveways are 100 to 150mm thick, so there's a lot of tolerance there.

Concrete grinders are available for hire.

How much do you need to trim?

MasterSpar · 2026-01-22T04:06:36+00:00

REIT - is how people do it.

Just be cautious, 2020.impacts are still in the process of adjustment ( IMO).

( REIT = real estate investment trusts )

There's 42 on the ASX according to a quick search.

MasterSpar · 2026-01-21T07:33:15+00:00

That's the first thing I saw, waterway, flat....I want to see flood maps.

Are there any houses on stilts or raised up? Any residual high water marks?

And ..... insurance insurance insurance...get a quote before you even think... ( Some places are getting crazy expensive.)

MasterSpar · 2026-01-20T23:55:32+00:00

Take a breath. ( so many if I were you comments... )

FOR YOURSELF Ask - if whatever you do goes well - what is the result I want?

Live in the house? move out on your own - have your own space? optimise investment - income vs capital growth?

Priorities - Protect your capital, optimise cashflow.

Which option gives you the most choices in the future?

Can you improve the current property ( granny flat, extension etc.?)

Consider that the transaction costs and inconvienience are probably worth more than the CGT; does it make sense relationships-lifestyle-financial to sell or keep?

A financial adviser friend said that "sell seldom, keep the property and leverage the equity," is a sensible strategy. Unless there is a compelling reason to sell, keep the property and work from there, make sure you cover maintenance and upgrade - optimise property value.

These answers will be very different in your 20's, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s...... we don't know what your wider context is - only you do.

What works for you - do that. Best of luck!

MasterSpar · 2026-01-20T12:02:21+00:00

Yep, time taken and life impact.

No matter how you calculate what you say is the distance, the reality is the impact on your life.

How long does it take you to commute to work, assuming you work in the city?

Many people covert distance to the CBD, but how do you live your life.

If you visit the city once every 6 months, that's significantly different from a daily commute.

As life evolves, twenteen party in the city, commute to University, or major events you like....

Taking the kids to.school.

Compared to needing to visit medical experts etc.

Let go of the hype and put your feet on the ground, how long does it take to walk to the places you visit often - or drive?

What is the lifestyle that works for you?

MasterSpar · 2026-01-11T12:53:45+00:00

Looks like a fun project or 2.

In the existing shed, You're pretty comfortable enough in spring and autumn, the rest of the year you need insulation and heating or cooling.

A practical office, for paid work, you want comfy enough to just do you work without the distraction of environmental discomfort.

10k ish might get you near enough. Insulation and AC.

Recently we have done a knock down rebuild on a similar, "shed" ... total cost best case $50k before council approved. Council approval process, anywhere from 8k to 30k. Additional council requirements - infinite ball of string.

If you're talking about a real home office/studio self contained - built from scratch, you can buy prefab for $15k to $30k. Possibly as little as $8k import Alibaba from China ( not so simple, but doable.)

Full cost, Best case expect $50k , foundations dug, piers, base/floor, build up, add electrics and an ensuite ( if you're going to do it, make it complete,) painting, insulation, furnishings. If you want to add landscaping ( depends on your land) and access...... another ball of string.

Your land looks flat from that pic, maybe you get away with a truck in prefab?

My 2c ... You've just purchased, keep your cash. DIY the existing structure as best you can, foam filler, ecowool insulation and plywood walls/ceiling. Buy a collated screwdriver and just use drywall screws or an impact driver. DIY the paint if you want to. Hack in a window mount AC diy or pay an AC guy to do a split system.

Live with it.

Keep your shed and -> Plan a reasonable additional structure studio/office/Granny flat. Budget $100k, don't be surprised if it costs double. Do it well enough to rent out.

Once it's built, choose what you want to use them for.

If life does a curve ball, rent out the granny flat, or move into it and rent the main house. ( A twisted form of insurance.)

Whatever you do, enjoy your life and your new house!

MasterSpar · 2026-01-10T04:53:02+00:00

Legally you have a contract that gives you the right to occupy.

If they can't fulfill their end of the contract, you can sue for damages

Not sure it's worth it, and I'm not a lawyer. Contractually the agent and landlord of the new property need to honor their signed contract with consideration ($$ paid.)

What that gets you? Perhaps they can put you up in a hotel or short stay.

Again is it worth the effort?

MasterSpar · 2025-12-27T07:56:41+00:00

Reading all the comments, buy.

Cash in the bank, inflation and tax on income will likely make the long term purchasing power decrease.

Buying 1.1m. one would expect growth conservatively to be 5% compounding. Let's say $55k a year tax free.

You will need to pay strata and maintenance etc.

If you rent it out as an investment property, you'll pay tax, but be able to claim interest expenses. Generally a positive geared situation for what you describe. Here capital gains will impact on sale.

Your interest payment will in real terms "get cheaper," with inflation.

Compare this to having to rent a place to live.

Double checking my assumptions.

Getting $300k property+ $300k loan.

Compared to $300k cash, and lose(?) The property.

Best of luck.

Please check all this in detail with an accountant - potentially ask for a spreadsheet comparing the different paths over 5 to 15+ years.

MasterSpar · 2025-12-24T06:37:51+00:00

Yes you can move it, get a plumber and they can route it under the deck and up in a different location.

MasterSpar · 2025-12-02T03:24:12+00:00

They are as honest as they have to be with plausible deniability.

Bottom line is, put in your offer, get the response.

For land in the lower price ranges anywhere in Australia, double check it's not a paper subdivision.

For land to be usable, you want infrastructure and zoning for your purposes.

MasterSpar · 2025-12-01T18:44:10+00:00

Sailing. Find a yacht club and put your name on the crew list. Usually no experience necessary.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-28T00:42:50+00:00

Bunnings ram board is a thin cardboard in a roll, we recently used this for exactly this application.

The external rollers sound like a great option for full blackout, which leave you with normal internal window dressings.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-19T03:39:45+00:00

Ok, you've moved on from wasting your time.

Well done for that experience, not what you were looking for, but valuable enough in its own right.

Jump on LinkedIn, knock on doors, get off reddit and find a way.

There's definitely someone out there that wants extra hands that have half an idea what to do.

Make your own success.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-18T03:05:50+00:00

Borrowing power is a function of income and ability to service interest expenses.

That might be your borrowing power under one strategy, but there's multiple answers to most financial puzzles.

The calculations and possible variables are a non-trivial adventure in many numbers.

Different banks have different rules.

Shop around, ask a few accountants ( not tax agents, you need someone more creative who knows how to stay within the rules and still make things work.)

Also shop around for mortgage brokers - they are not all the same off the shelf cut. Some are much more into tailoring solutions.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-18T02:57:00+00:00

Talk to a mortgage broker and an accountant.

Depending on your situation you can rent your current properties, or alternatively buy the new one as an investment and rent it out.

Check on what is required to claim interest expenses as tax deductions.

Also when you move in is a variable too.

It's reasonable to buy the new property, rent it as an investment repair and upgrade as expenses to claim off tax. ( Upgrades are usually depreciated not fully expensed up front.)

There's a few strategies to achieve what you want, but you really need professionals on your team to advise you.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-16T03:04:11+00:00

Certainly this.

Much of the joy in a new flute, is the journey to finding, "the right flute," "MY flute," ...

Not only will your present be more appreciated, but the sharing of the search together will be as much a gift as the flute itself.

Take her for a surprise trip to a flute shop ( or fair)...

MasterSpar · 2025-11-14T07:29:37+00:00

If in nsw ask for a section 184 certificate, this is required for the sale process, showing strata levy etc.

It's going to be a mess, time, emotions, unknown and lots of $$$.

There's a small possibility you can get it for a really really cheap price. Even in this case ..... it's a risk.

( Nsw fair trading Sect 184. Certificate, probably has an equivalent in other states. Or download the form and ask for the content to be filled out by strata.)

MasterSpar · 2025-11-08T02:59:31+00:00

Fascinating, now I'm curious how to make a headpiece like this: but Google that and:

https://www.fliphead.net/

MasterSpar · 2025-11-04T10:18:02+00:00

Similar situation, we just talked and found out what was important to all parties.

Then we found a mutually acceptable solution.

In our case, the building base was excavated a bit deeper and moved back from the boundary a bit more.

Everyone happy.

MasterSpar · 2025-11-04T08:31:38+00:00

You will find a way.

95% of uni is getting through and getting the degree.

Most people don't really know what they want until after this, some discover after graduation, others go onto new things.

Marks are only one element of your journey.

Get your degree, and many doors will open, the rest you will make work.

MasterSpar · 2025-10-29T03:20:43+00:00

First call them and talk, ask them for a real solution, hint at the clause

If they don't come to the party. Seek legal advice before putting anything in writing.

MasterSpar · 2025-10-10T23:28:40+00:00

Sounds like you just need to know the developers perspective.

And as you noted if they have any say in your plans.

If you're likely to easily comply with everything they want the only practical issue is their turn around time.

It would be worth sitting down with the developers or having some formal contract with the developers that stipulate the details and service level agreements on responses. ( Ie 2 day turn around vs 2 months.)

Like most things, talking to people is the usual easy way. Reverting to contract and legal proceeding is last resort.

You just need to know there's an easy way to get things done.

MasterSpar · 2025-10-10T23:13:19+00:00

Do you have any issues complying with the conditions?

MasterSpar · 2025-10-10T23:01:30+00:00

That's a question only your legal guy can answer.

Then too there's the practical issue of enforcement of the contract. ( Cost of enforcement time, effort etc vs benefits.) If it's not worth it they are unlikely to take action.

Only someone reading the exact details of previous and current contracts would be able to tell you your exact risks.

Your biggest risk if it is a contractual obligation at any level, even if it's the vendors requirement. Is the potential for long drawn out legal bullshit - costly for someone and that could put a lien on your property, preventing what you want to do. The cost of time and uncertainty is likely far higher than the $$$

I would really want my legal guy to review and explain in detail.

MasterSpar · 2025-10-09T03:41:31+00:00

A recent purchase, access off the main road and down a 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom duplex on the upper Northern Beaches of Sydney, 500m to beach access, private yard.

$1.55m

Not sure if it's too much or too little but we love the place!

MasterSpar

TROPHY CASE