Labor in the ACT has two great loves. Poker machines and real estate deals.
So it’s very exciting to see Joy Burch bring the two together along with patronage and largesse.
Nine small licensed clubs will receive grants of $15,000 each to assess the viability of their sites for residential development, ACT Minister for Gaming and Racing [...]

The Home Energy Advice Team will, for $30, visit your home (pre-2006 construction, detached or semi-detached), have a look around, and provide advice on the best steps you can take to reduce the amount of energy you use.
I have no association with this program, aside from having used this service today, but thought someone could find [...]

Allhomes has consulted three experienced real estate agents from around Canberra to get the hot tips for Spring sellers, ranging from where to invest your money on renovations through to how best to present your home for inspections without spending a cent.

Due to changing family requirements I need to extend the family home, the only direction that I can go is in the path of a protected tree.
Moving isn’t really an option as I couldn’t afford to purchase back into the suburb and I am not about to move the kids away from their school [...]

Territory and Municipal Services has issued a “Fireweed Alert” which sounds rather exciting:
Canberrans are urged to be on the lookout for infestations of Madagascan Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) which were recently discovered in Crace, Forde, Franklin and Bruce.
“While the weed is commonly found in the surrounding NSW region, the first serious incursion of Madagascan Fireweed in [...]

Sandwiched between rapacious landlords and dodgy tenants the property manager’s lot is not a happy one.
The Office of Regulatory Services has announced that one has been fined $3,900 for letting tenants get away with murder (while still collecting a fee):
The agent was commissioned by a landlord to manage a rental property. Inspection reports indicated that [...]

Is it just me or is anyone else horrified by the Altitude Apartments being constructed  between Chandler Street and Emu Bank in Belconnen? This monstrosity is an eye sore to say the least and it may not have reached it’s final height as yet.  There are a number of large buildings in the area such [...]

sup riotacters!
so there’s a house thats recently come up for sale in red hill. totally out of my price range and probably a little too high class for my tastes anyway.
but I really like the artwork in the house! I’ve emailed the agent and the vendor is not interested in divulging the artists name (wtf? [...]

Simon Corbell has announced the release of the ACT Planning Strategy, a roadmap for the next 20 years of development in the ACT assuming pesky things like democracy don’t get in the way.
The ACT Government will focus on more development in and around group and town centres so more Canberrans can live close to transport [...]

Simon Corbell has announced that the death toll in Canberra’s construction industry has reached the point where he needs an inquiry running to get him past the election:
Attorney General, Simon Corbell, has today announced that Ms Lynelle Briggs has been appointed to Chair a major inquiry into ACT health and safety laws in the local [...]

Just happened to me.  Made an offer on a property that had been on the market for a while and not selling, negotiated over several days, upped the offer, and the seller accepted it.  Seller’s solicitor sent mine the contract and before we could sign it – just a few days including a weekend – [...]

Last night the Liberals announced they were going to try providing basic municipal services, in the form of a green waste bin, if they’re elected.
This afternoon Simon Corbell has taken the time to explain why this is a bad idea.
You see in the long term absence of the ACT Government doing what councils all [...]

Hi all
My husband and I are hoping to sell in the next few months and are currently looking at our options. We have met with an agent who was very nice but had a commission of almost 3%. We find it hard to imagine that the work of selling our house is worth over $12,000! [...]

The cynical might take it as a sign the trashpak industry has been tardy in contributions, but the Liberals Zed Seselja has, not long before midnight, announced that if elected we shall be joining most of the rest of Australia in having green waste bins to lug away our garden detritus.
ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja [...]

Treasurer Andrew Barr has announced we’re funding the expansion of the University of Canberra’s student accomodation:
The loan was provided under a Disallowable Instrument tabled today in the Legislative Assembly.
The loan is for UC’s ‘On-Campus 1′ development, which is due to begin construction in a matter of weeks, and has been made possible as part [...]

In preparation for the three or four days of balmy summer ahead, it is time to coax the swimming pool out of hibernation. I no longer have the time to do a thorough clean, check filter components, balance water etc. Actually, if I am honest with myself, I probably do have the time, [...]

There is an existing thread on this topic but it’s a bit old…
I’m looking for recommendations for a landscaper that is reliable, good and won’t cost the earth.  Your comments will be gratefully received.
With thanks, Kitten Licks

Chasing the Liberals hard into the weeds Katy Gallagher has announced a grand policy statement on the pressing issue of community gardens:
The 14 community gardens already operating in the ACT, provide opportunities for urban and suburban residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables and enjoy gardening activities in a social setting, as well as [...]

Riotact Hivemind, I’m getting with the times and going to install solar panels to help reduce my electricity bills.
Problem is – Solargain is currently the only provider I can find that installs in Canberra. There are plenty of companies that come up with a google search, but none of them service the Canberra region. [...]

Hello everyone,
I’m thinking of buying land in Googong (falls under NSW jurisdictions) so I’m looking for a good solicitor/s for property conveyancing.
This will be my first property, and I would really appreciate any recommendations. I have received a couple of quotes (above $1000), however seeing as this is all new to me, would greatly appreciate [...]

you discover that a certificate of occupancy was not issued for a building extension

Property bought for $1.86m sold for $1. Stamp duty on property. Allhomes.com.au

Pre-Development Application (pre-DA) community consultations are an ACT Government planning reform initiative.
There will be pre-DA community consultation at the Belconnen Community Councils 21 August Public meeting by Russell Architects in association with the Westfield Group with respect to a multi-residential development on Emu Bank together with Tennis ACT (TACT) for deconsessionalising part of the Crown [...]

Hi,
Sadly my air con unit seems to have passed on as it keeps tripping the circuit breaker.
Does anyone in Canberra know either a) a good repair person for Hitachi Air Con or b) a good sales/install person/retail outlet to replace the said unit with something nice and warm for this weather?
Thanks in advance.  :)

World asset price implosion. Australia in small recession, stock prices falling.
Australia had a housing price boom.
Well off young people struggling with rentals, well off young folk can only dream of buying. Well off buyers of yesteryear in negative equity. Big buyers effectively bankrupted with asset worth less than the amount borrowed.
Houses sitting on the market [...]

hi all,
wondering once you’ve purchased a property, how is the best way to get the details about your house (photos, purchase price, floorplans etc.) removed from websites? (allhomes.com.au, real estate agent & property price websites).
If I email the agent & allhomes is this the best way? Is there any legislation about this that I [...]

Andrew Barr has proudly announced more of what he calls “affordable housing” in the Gungahlin suburb of Jacka:
The ACT Labor Government is committed to ensuring all Canberrans have access to affordable and appropriate housing, and this sale in the suburb of Jacka represents another success.
Jacka will see the construction of more than 200 [...]

I’m looking to build/buy my family home around 2016 and am interested in what land releases might be available in that timeframe (2016-2018). I’ve been to the LDA website http://www.lda.act.gov.au but it really seems to be only focused on two years out. Does anyone know there is information on what long term planning there is for [...]

So we are contemplating buying a house, that may need a fair bit of work. Whilst the seller’s Building Inspection report details a bit with the “what is wrong”, we would like to engage a builder to inspect the place – representing us – and advise how feasible, and costly the repairs are likely to [...]

One of my pet peeves is this concept of Real Estate Agents putting in a “vendor bid” during an auction.
What is a “Vendor bid” ? From my understanding, it is right up there with other fairy tales where the agent invents a bid, on behalf of the seller to stimulate interest in [...]

Hi all,
Just a quick query for all you rioters. I’m thinking of removing a couple of walls myself in the house and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good structural engineer or builder to advise if the walls are load bearing or not. I’ve had a look and we have a truss roof so [...]

Having just received my jaw-dropping gas and electricity bills for the past quarter, I’m interested in those devices that give you real-time feedback about how much energy (let’s just worry about electricity for the moment) you’re using and what it’s costing you.
Same thing could presumably be achieved if the meters were inside the house, [...]