Oh yeah: house and property things

Sorry: I was talking about the property we're getting, but was distracted by getting violently ill. As I was saying...


Had to pay AU$14k for a title transfer for a vacant lot. A friend e-mailed me to say that seemed a bit high. Ayep!

What happened is that while we were in the U.S., there was a bit of a property boom in Brisbane -- including our area, which is semi-rural. So, the value of the property basically quadrupled. Great if you're buying as an investment; stinky if you're hoping to live there 'til old age and beyond, as property taxes (what locals call "rates") are based on property values. So, the $14k is primarily "stamp tax" based on some percentage of the value of the land.

Also, if we were buying a piece of land with a house on it, most of the taxes would get waived because we'd be "first-time home buyers." So we'd be only paying around $5,000 for the transfer fees (including lawyer fees).

BUT -- because it's a vacant lot, they assume it's for investment purposes. So we don't get the discount. Bummer.


A bit of a description of the property: We're currently living next door to the "Middle Block." The Middle Blcok plus the block (i.e. "lot", for the Yanks) with the house total to five acres.

In approximate terms: picture a square, divided into four quadrents. Back half = woods; front half = some trees, but mostly pasture; front-right = current house.

So, split into two 2.5 acre strips, each with woods on the back half (or maybe two-thirds). Currently living on the R-hand strip; will build on the L-hand strip, then Sister-in-Law and family will move into our current house. We'll live in the Middle Block. The Lady's brother and family will be on the other side. Aussie Mum & Dad across the road; Next-Door Uncle (with American Aunt) on the other side of Sister-in-Law and family. Quite a nice little set-up.

Kind of like "Everybody Loves Raymond." Except that no-one's annoying. ;)


As far as the house itself, we're pretty sure we have the plans picked out. Just a matter of getting prices on the modifications, seeing what we can & can't afford (or, WANT to afford). Eventually, tiles, paint colors, carpets, etc.

--Gye Greene