Yahoo, after one week of checking flights, and VLs applied, I have now booked our US holidays. Even if December's fare is sooo expensive, I still went and booked it because I knew that we won't be able to go overseas for a long time (with mortgage and all, we need to be very prudent with our spending)!
I can spend Christmas with my Aunt and see my nephew, yahoo!!!
I can attend Bambi's wedding on the 27th, yahoo!!!
Its our wedding anniversary on the 27th too, more yahoo!!!
Sabi nga ni Cherry: 'aanhin ang pera if sa banko lang nakikita'? hahahaha... so maski konti lang ang pera, bakasyon pa din. Its our reward for working hard this year. :D
Maloloka kaya ako sa shopping dun? hahaha.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Road to Valeria
It was late 2008 when a friend offered us a townhouse in Quakers Hill. It was a 2 bedroom, 25 yo townhouse which is near a freeway and a 7 minute walk to the station. Back then, we were busy with our wedding preparation so we said we'll consider looking for a house next year.
Fast forward to 2009.
Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au became my favorite internet sites. I told hubby that we should buy at least a 3 bedroom townhouse (just because I want a small piece of land) and location should be accesible to public transport (becasue we don't drive yet).
Then we started looking.
Meadowbank, West Ryde and surrounds - very very expensive!
Liberty Grove - expensive and a good 15 mins walk to either Concord West or Rhodes station
Eastwood, Denistone and North Strathfield - prices are beyond our reach, no townhouses only old units. After a few weeks of looking, we decided to expand the area and also started looking for 2 bedroom units (as 3 bedroom units/ townhouse are very rare in the areas I was initially eyeing.)
Pennant Hills, Thornleigh - Units are very close to Pennant Hills road. Being a very busy road, it gets noisy and dusty inside the units.
Carlingford - viewed a new property development. Price for a 2-bedder was still cheap at $390K, only downside is, we waited for almost an hour to go back to Epping so hubby said we are not going back to Carlingford.
Hornsby - Those near the station is expensive and strata is almost $1000/ quarter. Went down further to College Crescent and the units are a bit small and a 10 min walk everyday, uphill is not really very enticing.
Waitara - very close to the station, prices are within reach but the hallway leading to some units makes me claustrophobic. Also, strata/water/council rates is around $1200/ quarter so we gave it a miss.
After a few months of looking around the North area, it hit us - we cannot afford living in the North! Some units were within our range but something is always not right about it - the cupboards, the noise, the strata, the location, etc. etc. etc. With this, I slowly accepted the fact that I will be looking for a house in the West and eventually live there.
Homebush West - affordable units, mostly two bedrooms. Made an offer on one units we both liked. Offer not accepted. Negotiated, again not accepted. Viewed the unit a second time before making another offer then found out that the current tenant is keeping a dog and its poo is all around the balcony, ieewww. Did not make another offer.
Quakers Hill - affordable but too far away. Saw a very nice townhouse - 3 bedroom and around 10min walk to station for $400K. Made an offer (which is very low). Offer was not accepted. hahaha
Kellyville Ridge - New Australand development. Walked 20 mins from the bus stop to the site. Very far! Bus fare is expensive (not to mention the long train ride to Blacktown). Sales Agent looks like he doesn't want to sell us the Terrace Home (after telling him that our budget is $500K max, still not good enough for him, hmmp). Houses were very nice. Community looks nice but its just sooooooo far away.
Wentworthville - The Townhouse we viewed is a bit old with only one toilet and needs major renovation. Saw a 2-year old villa with no strata but its a fair bit of walk from the station.
Toongabbie - Cesar mentioned that his friend is moving out because the owner wants to sell the 3 bedroom townhouse. He told us that the only problem is the lounge --- its too small. So we went to the open house, viewed the property: 3 bedroom, 2 toilets and bath, 1 guest toilet, underground car park, one guest carprk. Less than 5 minutes from station. And yes, the lounge and dining is very small. But we liked the property, and we liked Toongabbie. We don't need a big lounge and dining for now because there's only two of us!
The town house was to be Auctioned. We made an offer and told the Agent that we are not willing to go to auction. After a few negotiations, and another inspection, we signed the contract and paid 0.25% deposit... that was 12 September 2009.
And the timeline for Valeria St started:
12/09/09 - signed the contract, paid 0.25% dep
15/09/09 - solicitor received the contract. cooling off period is until 22/9/09
21/09/09 - bank valued the property 22/09/09 - requested for an extension of the cooling off period
23/09/09 - strata and land inspections 23/09/09 - bank valuation came back - $356K same as our offer! 25/09/09 - received unconditional approval from the bank
29/09/09 - paid the 10% deposit
29/09/09 - contracts exchanged 30/09/09 - loan agreements, FHOG and Stamp Duty exemption signed 16/10/09 - First Home Owners Grant Approved, money will be available at settlement date
26/10/09 - settlement date
I'll be picking up the keys from the real estate agent tomorrow. =)
Oh how time flies. Seems like it was just yesterday when we did all the house hunting and now, we actually are new home owners. A few things to do to the townhouse but it will be our new abode in the weeks to come.
Thank you Cesar the tip.
Thank you Lord for the guidance and for giving us what is best for us. As always, I cannot thank You enough.
Fast forward to 2009.
Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au became my favorite internet sites. I told hubby that we should buy at least a 3 bedroom townhouse (just because I want a small piece of land) and location should be accesible to public transport (becasue we don't drive yet).
Then we started looking.
Meadowbank, West Ryde and surrounds - very very expensive!
Liberty Grove - expensive and a good 15 mins walk to either Concord West or Rhodes station
Eastwood, Denistone and North Strathfield - prices are beyond our reach, no townhouses only old units. After a few weeks of looking, we decided to expand the area and also started looking for 2 bedroom units (as 3 bedroom units/ townhouse are very rare in the areas I was initially eyeing.)
Pennant Hills, Thornleigh - Units are very close to Pennant Hills road. Being a very busy road, it gets noisy and dusty inside the units.
Carlingford - viewed a new property development. Price for a 2-bedder was still cheap at $390K, only downside is, we waited for almost an hour to go back to Epping so hubby said we are not going back to Carlingford.
Hornsby - Those near the station is expensive and strata is almost $1000/ quarter. Went down further to College Crescent and the units are a bit small and a 10 min walk everyday, uphill is not really very enticing.
Waitara - very close to the station, prices are within reach but the hallway leading to some units makes me claustrophobic. Also, strata/water/council rates is around $1200/ quarter so we gave it a miss.
After a few months of looking around the North area, it hit us - we cannot afford living in the North! Some units were within our range but something is always not right about it - the cupboards, the noise, the strata, the location, etc. etc. etc. With this, I slowly accepted the fact that I will be looking for a house in the West and eventually live there.
Homebush West - affordable units, mostly two bedrooms. Made an offer on one units we both liked. Offer not accepted. Negotiated, again not accepted. Viewed the unit a second time before making another offer then found out that the current tenant is keeping a dog and its poo is all around the balcony, ieewww. Did not make another offer.
Quakers Hill - affordable but too far away. Saw a very nice townhouse - 3 bedroom and around 10min walk to station for $400K. Made an offer (which is very low). Offer was not accepted. hahaha
Kellyville Ridge - New Australand development. Walked 20 mins from the bus stop to the site. Very far! Bus fare is expensive (not to mention the long train ride to Blacktown). Sales Agent looks like he doesn't want to sell us the Terrace Home (after telling him that our budget is $500K max, still not good enough for him, hmmp). Houses were very nice. Community looks nice but its just sooooooo far away.
Wentworthville - The Townhouse we viewed is a bit old with only one toilet and needs major renovation. Saw a 2-year old villa with no strata but its a fair bit of walk from the station.
Toongabbie - Cesar mentioned that his friend is moving out because the owner wants to sell the 3 bedroom townhouse. He told us that the only problem is the lounge --- its too small. So we went to the open house, viewed the property: 3 bedroom, 2 toilets and bath, 1 guest toilet, underground car park, one guest carprk. Less than 5 minutes from station. And yes, the lounge and dining is very small. But we liked the property, and we liked Toongabbie. We don't need a big lounge and dining for now because there's only two of us!
The town house was to be Auctioned. We made an offer and told the Agent that we are not willing to go to auction. After a few negotiations, and another inspection, we signed the contract and paid 0.25% deposit... that was 12 September 2009.
And the timeline for Valeria St started:
12/09/09 - signed the contract, paid 0.25% dep
15/09/09 - solicitor received the contract. cooling off period is until 22/9/09
21/09/09 - bank valued the property 22/09/09 - requested for an extension of the cooling off period
23/09/09 - strata and land inspections 23/09/09 - bank valuation came back - $356K same as our offer! 25/09/09 - received unconditional approval from the bank
29/09/09 - paid the 10% deposit
29/09/09 - contracts exchanged 30/09/09 - loan agreements, FHOG and Stamp Duty exemption signed 16/10/09 - First Home Owners Grant Approved, money will be available at settlement date
26/10/09 - settlement date
I'll be picking up the keys from the real estate agent tomorrow. =)
Oh how time flies. Seems like it was just yesterday when we did all the house hunting and now, we actually are new home owners. A few things to do to the townhouse but it will be our new abode in the weeks to come.
Thank you Cesar the tip.
Thank you Lord for the guidance and for giving us what is best for us. As always, I cannot thank You enough.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Final Inspection
Just came back from our final inspection of the townhouse. Nothing new to see really. I just measured the smallish lounge and I resigned to the fact that my current lounge and tv will not be in synch, meaning the chaise will be facing the stairs (not the tv). I am not giving up my lounge so I have to make some adjustments on how to decorate our new home. By the way, settlement will be on Monday afternoon, after that I can now get the keys from the real estate agent (and I will have a mortgage na din, hahaha).
Below are the photos of the lounge (see how small it is?), kitchen and stairs. When we move in, I will post photos of the 'after renovation'. We need to be creative on how to make the lounge appear big!!! I guess a mirror is a must and minimalist would be the theme of our new nest.
The carpet needs to go, but I am thinking if floorboard and tiles go together, if not, then we'll have to do with a new carpet. Cant wait!!!
Below are the photos of the lounge (see how small it is?), kitchen and stairs. When we move in, I will post photos of the 'after renovation'. We need to be creative on how to make the lounge appear big!!! I guess a mirror is a must and minimalist would be the theme of our new nest.
The carpet needs to go, but I am thinking if floorboard and tiles go together, if not, then we'll have to do with a new carpet. Cant wait!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
random things
Tomorrow afternoon is my cpa exam, finally! This is my third and 3 more to go before I can be a full-fledged CPA.
Today (or tonight), Agers will be home after 18 days in NZ. He'll spend the weekend here and will fly back on Monday for another 2 weeks. I wish I can go with him but because my passport will expire in January (and getting a new one is too complicated for now), I cannot. Hopefully, we'll be back there together not for work but for a REAL holiday.
My solicitor gave me a call that settlement will be on Monday and I can get the keys after! Oh my, I can't believe we are almost there. I've also scheduled the final inspection on Saturday. :-)
On Sunday, it'll be Elijah's christening and Agers is the Ninong this time. Can't wait to catch up with my North Shore mates....
December is almost here and I can't wait what's instore for me in the last two months of the year. 2009 so far has been so good to me, i'm very thankful!...
(Agers is here na, hahahaha, will try to update this later)....
Today (or tonight), Agers will be home after 18 days in NZ. He'll spend the weekend here and will fly back on Monday for another 2 weeks. I wish I can go with him but because my passport will expire in January (and getting a new one is too complicated for now), I cannot. Hopefully, we'll be back there together not for work but for a REAL holiday.
My solicitor gave me a call that settlement will be on Monday and I can get the keys after! Oh my, I can't believe we are almost there. I've also scheduled the final inspection on Saturday. :-)
On Sunday, it'll be Elijah's christening and Agers is the Ninong this time. Can't wait to catch up with my North Shore mates....
December is almost here and I can't wait what's instore for me in the last two months of the year. 2009 so far has been so good to me, i'm very thankful!...
(Agers is here na, hahahaha, will try to update this later)....
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
my not-so-fun sunday
i went to mass at 10am today, then to Village Grocers to buy vegies for lunch.
i cooked choysum with bits of chicken and finished the entire dish alone! :-)
Seeing the dirty, sticky kitchen, I decided to do some cleaning. Its so nice to see the grease and grime of the stove top all wiped clean.
Our room is also a mess, with falling hair all over, so I did a quick vacuum. Its not yet that tidy but its getting there. :-)
After three hours, I check my phone and there it was --- hubby sent a message that he was online and waiting for me! So i missed our quality internet time together but not to worry coz he's coming home soon. I can't wait for Thursday. :-)
i cooked choysum with bits of chicken and finished the entire dish alone! :-)
Seeing the dirty, sticky kitchen, I decided to do some cleaning. Its so nice to see the grease and grime of the stove top all wiped clean.
Our room is also a mess, with falling hair all over, so I did a quick vacuum. Its not yet that tidy but its getting there. :-)
After three hours, I check my phone and there it was --- hubby sent a message that he was online and waiting for me! So i missed our quality internet time together but not to worry coz he's coming home soon. I can't wait for Thursday. :-)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Snail Mail
Mr Postie is very good to me, delivering unexpected surprises in the mail.
Today, i got this from my Bebe. How I wish I'm with him now, exploring New Zealand...
We'll be back Bebe, don't worry! :D
Today, i got this from my Bebe. How I wish I'm with him now, exploring New Zealand...
We'll be back Bebe, don't worry! :D
Don't you just love snail mails? I mean, with technology, everything is so reachable just by clicking our fingers. Exchanging stories with friends meant leaving messages in YM, Facebook, Friendster and sending emails. But I still love the anticipation of actually opening an envelope, reading and re-reading the message, not to mention the stamp that comes with the letter. Amidst all the electronic things flying around, wouldn't it be nice to hold something tangible?
I do hope that Stamp Collection wouldn't be an extinct hobby in the future... so people, let's all revert back to snail mail!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi (amost...)
Got a letter from the mail today:
Yahoo, finally we have our oath schedule.
I am eligible for citizenship since Feb but I wanted to take the oath with hubby so I deferred it and only applied when he is already eligible too. This posed a tiny problem on my part because i didnt realized my Phil passport will expire in Jan 2010, and overseas trip is not possible as of the moment. I missed the NZ trip with hubby, but looking at the bigger picture, i think was a blessing in disguise coz I now have time to study for my upcoming exam (which I have been putting off for a long time, hahaha).
Anyhow, its finally here. Another milestone, another step in fulfilling our Australian dream.
Thank you Lord for all the blessings, we can never thank you enough.
Yahoo, finally we have our oath schedule.
I am eligible for citizenship since Feb but I wanted to take the oath with hubby so I deferred it and only applied when he is already eligible too. This posed a tiny problem on my part because i didnt realized my Phil passport will expire in Jan 2010, and overseas trip is not possible as of the moment. I missed the NZ trip with hubby, but looking at the bigger picture, i think was a blessing in disguise coz I now have time to study for my upcoming exam (which I have been putting off for a long time, hahaha).
Anyhow, its finally here. Another milestone, another step in fulfilling our Australian dream.
Thank you Lord for all the blessings, we can never thank you enough.
New CityRail Timetable
its the first day of the new train time table and i am not liking it! first, they removed my 7:18 train from Meadowbank to Epping, so I need to catch the later one at 7:28. Then, my waiting time at Epping is 10 mins!!! And Platform 6 is way too crowded today despite it being a school holiday. I don't know how congested it would be come Monday. From a previous travel time of 18 mins, my morning train ride is now 26 mins. :(
Going home is even worst! They changed the time 8 minutes early than the normal one! There's no way I can catch the 4:37 train, unless I leave the ofc at 4:25!!! Next train comes at 4:52 but the connection is better I guess. It allows me almost 3 minutes to change platform....but still, I want my old train schedule back!!!
God help us commuters on Monday when the school reopens again.
~~~~
my cpa exam is coming up. it'll be on the 23rd of Oct. After my exam, there's so much more to do... im excited!!!
Going home is even worst! They changed the time 8 minutes early than the normal one! There's no way I can catch the 4:37 train, unless I leave the ofc at 4:25!!! Next train comes at 4:52 but the connection is better I guess. It allows me almost 3 minutes to change platform....but still, I want my old train schedule back!!!
God help us commuters on Monday when the school reopens again.
~~~~
my cpa exam is coming up. it'll be on the 23rd of Oct. After my exam, there's so much more to do... im excited!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)