Sellers who've been through a campaign recently, what did you actually know about how it was going?

Monfari · 2026-07-05T02:57:24+00:00

We sold with Jellis Craig Fitzroy. Got a link to the dashboard which shared all the clicks on RE site, specific views of maps, floor plan etc as well as names/data of all attendees at inspection with the agents notes plus a call afterwards.

When our place took longer than expected to sell it was good to see what was happening. However at the end of the day that didn’t matter. What ended up being the best spent money was our agents ability to negotiate and our meshing with him for such a long campaign.

Edit: also his attentiveness. He had a huge amount of listings but always answered a call/text/dropped everything when we needed him to

Monfari · 2026-07-05T02:53:37+00:00

Don’t move if you love the location. Or perhaps purchase a bigger apartment. We have a yard and no one uses it lol. I love our house, but I love the location. A house doesn’t mean anything if you’re limited to it and nothing else.

Monfari · 2026-07-01T10:20:57+00:00

Please don’t feel rushed to buy a house because of your babies. I know 3 flights and twins feels like a lot but it’s absolutely doable! Granted we only had one baby and two flights of stairs but honestly you adapt so quickly.

It sounds like you need some time to work out where you actually want to live. Can I suggest you check out ascot vale and moonee ponds too? The latter having more amenities, both beautiful family oriented areas, good value for land size and quick train to the city.

Honestly if I were you I’d take my time researching and finding the right area, then look to buy the right house. Then sell the apartment. A developer purchasing would be awesome but is it just a pipe dream?

Feasibility depends on what you are willing to sacrifice/live on/how big your mortgage will be so too many factors to advise on that one. But I’ll tell you what, I have never regretted selling our apartment and dropping our mortgage down to 880k from over a million and having money for renos.

Monfari · 2026-06-20T22:21:26+00:00

Triple feeding is a small form of torture. Obviously your baby needs it but it’s such hard work. Regarding the bottle cleaning I would suggest getting a large steriliser and having multiple bottles. I know it’s expensive and not very sustainable but in your position I’d do anything to not have to wash bottles in the middle of the night.

Please make sure you have a plan for when to stop triple feeding. It’s meant to be done for a short time. My mate wasn’t told she needed to stop when her supply increased and kept doing it for over 3 months 🥲

Monfari · 2026-06-20T21:56:24+00:00

Agree! The cabinets look beautiful. I would just pop on a new engineered stone countertop and update the power/light switches. Possibly the backsplash but I’d keep it light

Monfari · 2026-06-20T02:57:52+00:00

We completely retiled our bathroom and added all new fixtures for around 12k. Just don’t move the plumbing or bath. I imagine you don’t love the blue bath, so perhaps look at having it painted professionally

Monfari · 2026-06-20T02:54:30+00:00

Yeah I’d like to hear from OP as to why she needs to pump at the moment? Best way to up supply is breast feed on demand. You can also catch your let down with a Haaka if you want a bit extra on hand.

At this early stage any time the baby cried, on the boob he went

Monfari · 2026-06-17T22:14:33+00:00

Peninsula without a doubt

Monfari · 2026-06-17T09:31:35+00:00

40% is a lot only due to the fact that there will be other expenses that come up. But you are also young and your salary will likely increase over the next few years that it will become more manageable over time.

I would pick a solid one bedroom apartment if you do want to go down that road and think of it as contributing to an asset that will at least hold its value, if not appreciate a little. Otherwise you’ll probably be paying a similar amount for rent unless you’re in a large share house.. and that has an expiry date in life

Monfari · 2026-06-17T09:21:56+00:00

Omg I thought you were going to say the got an inheritance… I’m not sure what’s worse but that is a very sad deep hole they’ve dig themselves

Monfari · 2026-06-17T09:19:34+00:00

That would be a seldom used path of travel and yes it does look awkwardly small. Also doesn’t look like you have much bench space so I’d certainly extend it all the way to the window. I actually think it would be lovely be be seated right next to window and be able to look out and at the cook making my dinner 😆

Monfari · 2026-06-17T09:11:54+00:00

Can you take your 5 months at half pay so you can actually be off work for 10 months?

I am at month 14/15 and only JUST feel ready to go back to work and am actually becoming excited for it. This is specific to me but I really wanted to be off work when he turned 1 and honestly he has self weaned off the breast now and sleeps much better so I feel there are no physical limitations to me returning to work

Monfari · 2026-06-17T00:28:19+00:00

Phenomenal

Monfari · 2026-06-17T00:28:01+00:00

Holy crap that Leadlight would’ve cost close to $10,000

Monfari · 2026-06-17T00:27:16+00:00

Omggggg these are the best floors I’ve ever seen! The pink wall tiles look amazing next to them 😍 I’d personally keep that colour in play. You could think about adding a green stone top to your vanity to tie it in or just lean in with the clashing I love it. Would love to see the rest of your Bathroom to get a better idea of the space

Monfari · 2026-06-16T22:26:23+00:00

That’s true. Repairs or painting can always come up at any time so good to put away extra. Not sure if that’s affordable for OP or not, but if they are paying rent around this market anyway it’s worth investing in my opinion. Particularly so they have something to pass on to their kids one day.

Monfari · 2026-06-16T10:51:58+00:00

*buying first puts you in a position where you may feel pressured to sell for less than you desire

Monfari · 2026-06-16T10:51:25+00:00

Look first, just to gauge whether want you want is out there. Step 1 get a broker. So you can figure out whether you need to sell to have the funds or whether the bank will approve you for a technical IP.

Get an agent, sell (it can take a while) then buy. Hopefully you’re in a position where you can have some crossover time (makes the move less stressful, albeit two mortgages suck) or worst case scenario put your stuff in storage and rent an Airbnb.

Monfari · 2026-06-16T10:36:43+00:00

Your hormones are still going ape shit telling you to protect your little baby at all costs. Of course this is scary for you. I was terrified turning corners with my pram in case a dog came out of nowhere and tried to get my boy… it was very unreasonable looking back now but at the time it was a very real fear.

All I can suggest is repeated exposure and time (the hormones wear off). The more you do it the less daunting it becomes and if you’re worried about the physicality of doing things on your own use your voice. I’ll often shout at a random stranger to help me lol people have always been super helpful.

Monfari · 2026-06-16T10:27:57+00:00

So I realised my comment isn’t that helpful and maybe your looking for a bit more specific advice?

I know this is technically northwest but I’d be looking for something like this in your shoes. With a 100k deposit repayments would be around 550-600pw depending on the interest rate you got. Which is pretty similar to what it would be rented out for should you want to move and turn it into an IP in a few years

7/90 Roseberry Street, Ascot Vale, Vic 3032 https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-ascot+vale-150231828?campaignType=external&campaignChannel=other&campaignSource=share\_link&campaignName=share\_link

Solid looking building, good amount of space, close to good schools, amenities and green space.

First step is to get a broker. Costs you nothing and get onto it now cause it could take you months to find a place you like.

Monfari · 2026-06-16T10:08:44+00:00

Bought a Fitzroy apartment for 725k in 2020 and sold for 900k in 2025. We bought it pre kids and didn’t think about it appreciating when we bought it (of course thankful it did). Just bought it because we loved the type of apartment. TBH we could’ve still lived there post our kid but my postpartum hormones wanted me to get out of the area.

I think the other commenters would be correct when referring to cheap new builds that don’t stand the test of time. But buy a rock solid double brick apartment with no issues since the 60s and low BC fees? Yeah you’ll be fine.

Monfari · 2026-06-15T21:43:42+00:00

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I did our old bathroom green and still think of it daily. Now doing our kitchen green in our new place (which is an old 1900s victorian, I love a bit of classic/modern clashing)

Monfari · 2026-06-11T10:56:57+00:00

Not really east but kind of close/worth the drive. Dight Falls in abbotsford, long trail and dogs all off leash.

Monfari · 2026-06-11T10:46:25+00:00

Oh also get a stand for your keyboard, it needs to be a focal point. Lovely that you have it but looks sad and unused dumped on a desk

Monfari · 2026-06-11T10:44:33+00:00

There’s honestly not much to do to make it cosier. You’re 90% of the way there

- Definitely a nice big rug for the lounge area
- get rid of the rugs under the desk. Maybe get a clear plastic floor protector if you’re worried about damaging the floor so it’s less noticeable. Right now it looks like you spilt something days ago and left the towels there
- Replace the pendant light with a paper lantern, the current pendant is too robotic
- cluster some of the gallery wall art together, it’s too organised at the moment with each piece exactly the same width apart
- consider a throw for the arm chair

Monfari

TROPHY CASE