I have done it – the balance of the deposit has been paid and the house will be mine in 60 days. My first offer was considerably lower than the asking price (a bit cheeky really) and the owner made me wait 2 weeks before he told me no.  We have been bartering since then.  Well I have now done it. 

I have reassessed the “yukkiness” and have made a list of the things I will do.  I am feeling much better about this house and I know that I can turn it into a home that I will be proud of.

My first priority is to remove all of the curtains and clutter that has been left.  And I will make the garden beautiful – this house has a lovely little alcove: facing the east.  This will be a beautiful little hide away where I will start my day – every morning I am going to eat my breakfast here  – so shall make this a priority to put in  some lovely plants and nic-nacs of which I have many.

I have been in touch with a local surveyor about the possibility of subdividing the land.  I have received a letter back saying that they have looked at the block and they believe that a subdivision is possible.  They included a process of how it would be done and that I need to pay a fee of $1430 before they commenced.

I am writing about my experience of subdividing as a lot of people are asking me about the process, particularly the time taken and the cost.  So will have a running cost throughout this blog.

This is so exciting – my project is on the way.

Subdivision cost to date $1430.

I have told the agent that I am interested in purchasing the house subject to approval from a builder and a pest inspection.  I have 4 weeks to get these completed and had to pay a deposit of $1,000 with the balance due in 4 weeks.

 
A local builder came to inspect the house; he examined it thoroughly and told me that the house is very sound with minimal movement and no sign of white ants; although in some rooms there have been borers.  This freaked me out a little, seems that they are not nearly as damaging as white ants although they can do some damage.  The builder advised that the damage has been done in the bedrooms and it was the floor boards that had been damaged and only minimally. I may have to replace the floorboards at a later stage.  I was reassured that non of my visitors or me would fall through the floor.

I paid another visit to the house and I feel quite nervous – the house looks shocking.  Can I really do this?

I feel as if the things that I had thought were awful on previous visits is now 100 times worse.  There is a different colour wall paper on every wall and on the ceilings.  Can you believe that someone would be able to wallpaper a ceiling alone 12 foot ceilings?  In the main bedroom it is ripped and there are great lumps hanging down.  Every room has a different colour – carpet, wallpaper and curtains.  I must admit I was freaking out and didn’t really sleep to well for a couple of nights.