The Home Buying Essentials - page 15

15
Stamp duty
Stamp duty is a state government tax on the
transfer of property and is assessed on the sale
price.
The amount of duty varies from state to state:
Your conveyancer/legal representative will
advise you of the amount payable and if you
are entitled to an exemption, or you can check
your state’s website.
Inspections
Building and pest inspections are a must!
Either you or your conveyancer should
enlist the services of an authorised pest and
building inspector. Your purchase contract
can be subject to a satisfactory inspection or
your inspection can be scheduled during your
cooling off period.
The inspector will provide a written report
pointing out any faults in the property,
whether they can be repaired and how much
these repairs are likely to cost. The report will
also highlight any unsafe or unauthorised
renovations and extensions that can be
ascertained. You may be able to use this report
to negotiate conditions in the contract as well
as the price.
Pest inspections are not usually covered in
a building report. Ask for proof of ongoing
termite inspections. If no proof exists, your
inspector will provide a report that complies
with the Australian standard. If buying at
auction you will need to arrange this prior to
the day of the auction.
Shop around to compare prices and ensure
that the company you choose is fully licensed
and insured. These reports could save
thousands if you were to buy a property
needing unforeseen repairs.
In the case of a strata title property, your
contract for sale will provide the name of
the strata manager. You can arrange for an
inspection of the books and records of the
owners’ corporation.
Moving costs
Compare prices! Obtain three estimates from
reputable or recommended carriers. Ask
what the estimates include (eg insurance)
and consider whether it may be worthwhile
for them to do the packing for you. Add in
the costs of transporting pets and delicate
or special items. There may also be fees to
disconnect and connect utilities.
State/Territory Website
ACT www.revenue.act.gov.au
NSW www.osr.nsw.gov.au
NT www.revenue.nt.gov.au
QLD www.osr.qld.gov.au
SA www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au
TAS www.treasury.tas.gov.au
VIC www.sro.vic.gov.au
WA www.dtf.wa.gov.au
Call for our
brochures on
packing tips
and moving
with pets.
SMARTPACKINGTIPS
Packingessentials
• Thick,sturdycartonsofvarioussizes.Yourlocalbottleshoporsupermarketshouldbeabletosupplysmaller
strongboxesforsmallorheavyitems.
• Wardrobecartonsforyourclothes.
• Bubblewrap,tissuepaper,whitepaper,polystyrenefoam.
• Scissors.
• Gardeningglovestohelpprotectyourhandswhenhandlingheavyitems.
• Strongmaskingtapetosecureboxes.
• Permanentmarker.
• Considerusingplasticstoragetubsinsteadofcardboardboxes.Theseinexpensivetubsaresturdy,stackableand
availableinavarietyofsizesand,iftheyhavealid,are
waterproof.Theycanalsobeusefulafterthemovefor
storagepurposes.
Packingplan
• Firstly,packitemsnotneededbeforethemove.
• Packoneroomatatime.
• Packasmallboxofitemsyou'llneedforimmediateuseinyournewhome.Thisboxshouldincludesometoiletries,
medicines,toiletpaper,soapandtowels.Perhapsyou
couldtransportthisboxyourself.
• Packanotherboxwithkitchenessentialsforthemovingdaysuchasakettle,cutlery,mugs,tea,
coffeeandsnacks.
• Packacartoncontainingvaluablepapersandpersonalitems,egjewellery.Considertransportingthiscarton
yourself.
• Essentialitemsrequiringimmediateaccessafteryourmoveshouldbethelastboxesloadedintotheremoval
van.
• Setasidebedlinens,towelstobeusedonthefirstnightsobedscanbemadeupassoonaspossibleonmoving
day.
Packingtips
• Makealistofallcartonsandtheircontentsastheyarepackedandsealed.Itisagoodideatonumbertheboxes
andlistcontentsonaseparatesheetofpaperforsecurity
purposes.
• Useapermanentmarkertomarktheboxnumberandtheroomintowhichtheyshouldbeplaced.Writethe
boxnumberonthetopandsides.Yourlistshouldshow
thecontents.
• Packheavierorfragileitemsinsmallcartons.Markthesecartonsas‘heavy’or‘fragile’.
• Ensurethatcartonsaresecurelysealed.
• Placepillows,blanketsandtowelsatthebaseofboxespackedwithfragileitems.
• Ensurethatcomputer,printer,scannerandfaxmachinearepackedsecurely.
• Packafirstaidcartonandkeepithandywhilstpackingandmoving.Includeimportantmedications,bandaids,
antisepticcreamsetc.
• Disassembleoutdooritems,egcubbyhouseandswings,andplaceallbolts,bracketsandscrewsinalabelled
sealedbagandtapeonundersideofitem.
• Disassembleprefabricatedfurniture,egcomputerorsewingdesk,andplaceallbolts,bracketsandscrewsina
labelledsealedbagandtapeonundersideofitem.
• Removemicrowaveplateandtapethedoorshut.
• Wrapandpackeachitemindividually.
• Packlighteritemsinlargecartonsandheavieritemsinsmallcartons.
• Ifnotusingaremovalist,useoldblanketsorsheetstocoverandprotectyourfurniturewhilsttransporting.
• Packsharptoolswithplentyofpaddingtapedaround
them.Markthecarton‘sharpobjects’toavoidinjury
whenunpacking.
• Transportperishablefooditemsinacoolerbox.
• Packindoorplantsinplasticlinedboxesandwaterlightly.
• Drainlawnmower.