QLD Cairns, QLD

Discussion in 'Where to Buy' started by B-Mac, 10th Nov, 2015.

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  1. Kesse

    Kesse Well-Known Member

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    Interesting that there's such a variance in insurance - I'm in a red flood zone and my insurance is $2,600p/a with RACQ. I rang Elders for a quote and they were pretty much on par with RACQ so didn't bother moving.
     
  2. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    I can't recall if I tried RACQ
    There is always a hurdle, like is it double brick (don't know), is the roof cyclone proof? (don't know).
    PM is being slack, and I've told her so.
     
  3. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    I pay just over $1,600 for a 4-2-2 in White Rock with GIO.
     
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  4. Matthe_w

    Matthe_w Active Member

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    My partner and I recently purchased in Cairns early this year in July. We purchased a 5.2.2 place up in Smithfield which we rented out within two weeks of advertising and achieved what I believe was at the higher end of what we could have asked for.

    We choose to look north of Cairns city for the reason that land is slightly scarcer from what we could tell compared to the south of Cairns where land appeared to be more readily available. We also accessed the flood maps and took this into account when selecting areas.

    I believe Cairns has a promising future ahead of it based on what others have all ready mentioned in this post and from what I have seen up there. If it hasn't already been mentioned HTW do a monthly release called Cairns watch which I find has some good info ( HERRON TODD WHITE CAIRNS | CAIRNS WATCH ).

    One last point we pay just under $1900 a year in insurance for our place as well through Allianz.
     
  5. Andrew H

    Andrew H Well-Known Member

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    yeah mine is just over $1800 with elders, 4-2-2 so yours is pretty good!
     
  6. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    Might be just a difference in the cost of chosen replacement cost, or a deadlock/window lock here and there, not much in it.
     
  7. Ben Kingsley

    Ben Kingsley Well-Known Member

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    I think Cairns has some real upside coming off the bottom next 12 - 24mths. Yes be careful of holding costs and buying out too wide where in new estate areas.
     
  8. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    RACQ can do $3800pa. Saves me $1200, but still.
    It's almost enough to make me want to turf it as its keeping it negative.
     
  9. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    Did you try Suncorp?
    I'm going to move mine over to them, GIO sucks to deal with.
    And you get a 15% discount with 3 properties with Suncorp.
     
  10. Andrew H

    Andrew H Well-Known Member

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    @Azazel @Bran I moved from RACQ 'to' Elders as they were much cheaper and covered flood. I did hear on the weekend friends of ours have cheap insurance with suncorp so as @Azazel said i would give suncorp a try - i will myself. @Bran it may bring your numbers into line and be worth keeping, it changed might for the positive.
     
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  11. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Ive hit a snag with the roof - not cyclone approved
    RACQ will do 3800 (better than 5k)
    Ill try Suncorp - can't remember if I did.
    And meanwhile, my roof needs some more screws.
     
  12. Kesse

    Kesse Well-Known Member

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    How old is your house, Bran?
     
  13. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    1970ish i think
     
  14. Kesse

    Kesse Well-Known Member

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    Ah, before the 'new' (1985) building codes.
     
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  15. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Hopefully just a few new screws by the sounds of it.
     
  16. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    How much will it cost to get the roof up to the standard?
    Possibly be worth the savings over the long term to get it all sorted now.
     
  17. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Awaiting a quote
    I really need to fly up and check the place out.
     
  18. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    It's deductible I spose, but is there much you can do by being there in person?
    Or just to talk to the people up there in person?
     
  19. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking it's due for a reno, but I'm not sure if its worth it. It needed a new bathroom when I lived in it a decade ago
     
  20. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    Might be worth waiting until prices really start picking up so you can combine CG with the reno to boost your equity? Worth keeping a keen eye on, won't be long after BNE really gets going.
     
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