Our plans have been approved and work has begun!!
Like everyone who decides to go on the building journey knows...one of the most frustrating parts of the build is actually waiting for the plans to be approved by Council or the Certifier.
But our wait is over!Our plans have been stamped and our builder G Developments has cut the block...yay!!
The next stage is the plumbing,the pipes need to go in before the slab and then after that the concreter will form up for the slab and pour it.
From when the block is cut to when the slab is down,this can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the weather conditions and if the builder needs to carry out any further work on the block, for example a retaining wall needing to be built prior to the slab being poured.
I will post another update when the slab has been poured...it is very exciting!!

Housing shortage and low rental vacancies are two important factors for investors to consider when locating a great investment opportunity. NSW offers both especially in those areas outside the capital city.

The Hunter Valley offers great investment potential with elements such as housing shortage, next to no rental vacancies, infrastructure and employment growth. This was highlighted recently in an article in Property Observer. 

Property expert Margaret Lomas, presenting at Melbourne's Home Buyer & Property Investor show, discussed the current position of the property market and pointed to regional areas as great investment opportunities.

“Some regional centre populations are growing faster than the national average. And there is a growing affluence as well in some of these locations,” she says.


In particular Hunter Valley suburbs were highlighted as hotspots within the NSW market..

"The outlook is better for NSW due to a housing shortage in many areas and tightening vacancy rates.

She picks Blacktown on the Sydney fringe as one of her NSW hotspots as well as locations in the Hunter Valley including Branxton, Singleton, Cessnock and Muswellbrook."


Read the full article here.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a combined Federal and State Government initiative to increase the number of affordable dwellings on a nationwide level.

NRAS is proving to be a 'win-win situation' for both investors and tenants, as recently reported by Philip Hopkins in the Sydney Morning Herald (published 27/8/12).

This scheme provides investors with a guaranteed tax offset of up to $9524 per year, for a period of 10 years. In most instances this provide the investor with a positive cashflow investment. The investor has the option to opt out of the scheme at any time and has full control over the tenant selection.

In return, this scheme provides new and affordable housing options for many people, both singles and families, in areas that might otherwise be unachievable to live and work.

Click here to read the full article.

For further details on this investment option visit NRASNewcastle

Recent reports have highlighted the housing shortage in the popular Upper Hunter town of Muswellbrook.

With a growing population and workforce, the town is experiencing a high demand for rental accommodation but with limited supply available.

The Newcastle Herald recently reported that the Muswellbrook Shire Council is fighting rejections to a new housing development in the town. With a proposal of 750 new houses over a 10 year period, the State Government is providing some set back due to a possible coal mine opening in the area in the future.  A mine that Muswellbrook mayor Martin Rush describes as ‘inconceivable’’  due to the location being one kilometre from the town.

Read the full story from the Newcastle Herald