Looking for an Independent Broker - look no further!!

I forgot to mention on my last post about how thankful we are for having such a wonderful independent finance company -
Finance Path - 1300 780 440.

And for the record - NO, I am not getting paid to say or write any of this..

I just like giving recognition to a company who has outstanding customer service! We seriously would not be in the position we are today if it wasn't for them.

To Mark, Chris, Dennis, Melinda and Melissa - thank you for making us feel comfortable, answering our never ending questions, deciphering all the financial jargon, showing us the process step by step, following our application through from start to finish (we didn't have to enter or even speak to the bank ourselves) and keeping us informed at every stage of the process.

We feel like we can call on you guys at any time to seek advice with any question or concern. As you can see from our blog we are almost at lock-up stage and we still continue to receive their support through phone calls and emails.

Seriously, if you are thinking about applying for your own home loan or any other financial advice, we highly recommend the team at Finance Path. We have greatly appreciated the time, effort and support that they have given us in making one of the most important decisions of our financial future!

Me :-)

Still Almost At Lock Up!!!

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock..

Time is just flying by! I can't believe we are almost at the end of March already (and it's less than 3 weeks to school holidays.. yippee). I am secretly hoping the house is completed and we can move in on 1st July as this is when Term 2 holidays start and it would be perfect timing... but then again it is winter and hopefully it won't me raining.. grrrrr.. one can only hope.. :-) The linea board is pretty much completed on the whole house. I must say I am not 100% happy with the workmanship on some of the joins under the windows, so I will be taking this up with our site supervisor this week. Looking forward to seeing it painted in the colourbond shale grey colour we selected with the window trims in pearl white. The Bi-fold doors are going to be replaced, Greybox blamed the window company for it, which was interesting as one would have thought someone in their office would have had to place the order - go figure! They took the aluminium bi-fold out last week and our wooden one was meant to arrive yesterday, but apparently will be arriving Thursday and installed on Friday now.. can't wait to see it in. Kitchen window hasn't been replaced yet, but will be soon due to a scratch. Our site supervisor was not happy with the quality of the seals on it. It was nice for once not to have to mention or bring something that was not up to scratch to their attention.

A family in the next street are building a very similar house to us, but their Alfresco and Verandah area was poured with concrete with their slab and ours is to be constructed on stumps! Weird, as I can't work out why two houses (which are so much alike) would be built using two different footings! They installed some sound proofing (Earthwool Wall Batts - which is a cost-effective thermal and acoustical barrier for energy - efficient construction) on to the cinema room, part of the lounge, between one of the bedroom and the bathroom and between the master and the ensuite - fingers crossed it blocks out lots of noise.. hehe. Hey dad, with the energy saving from the insulation, this will balance the cost of all the extra power points.. hehe - love you.. xx

Our site supervisor also called us last week when they were installing our air conditioning and heating units. He wasn't happy as in the working drawings it stated the vent was to be placed in the back hallway roof. He said the unit will not work efficiently if it goes there and that it should be installed low in a wall. So we decided to use half of my broom cupboard in the laundry to place the unit. I would rather the unit work properly and lose a little space, so we are glad he called in regards to this instead of just installing as per the working drawings.

Love this photo... her first bath in her new bathroom.. hehe

We had another inspection last week by New Home Inspections. Rob has been fantastic and we believe this has been the best money we have spent.. especially for our peace of mind to know our house is being constructed as per Australian standards. This is our second inspection, the first being at slab stage. We were annoyed to find out that issues in our first inspection had not been completed as we were advised they had!!! Due to this, we requested a hold on the plaster until we were satisfied they had all been rectified. As you can imagine this is frustrating, but our site supervisor seems to be on top of it and getting them plus the 7 additional ones from the frame inspection completed. He is confident that they will be able to start plastering on Thursday or Friday. Wow - I think I have covered most things.. until next time.. Me.. :-)

Almost at Lock-up!

Almost at Lock-up!!

Hi All - sorry but work and family have been keeping me very, very busy. Lot's has been happening with the house and we can hardly keep up with it ourselves. In a matter of 2 weeks.. * Windows went in * Gutters and fascia went up * Roof went on * Wrapping went up * Wooden borders went up around the windows * Lina boards went on this week * My beautiful huge kitchen window went in * All electrical work completed, and * The bi-fold 5 panel door went in which gives us access from the dining room to the alfresco HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greybox's administration again out did themselves by ordering and installing a white aluminium bi-fold door - which should have been TIMBER.. they even stated that there was no variation for this change so the doors would remain! ummm.. EXCUSE ME!! We soon sent through an email stating the door will be removed and replaced with a TIMBER one as per the: 1. Specifications 2. Working Drawings, and 3. Quote We have yet to receive a response, but I can't see how they can not change it when it is stated in black and white. I also couldn't understand why our Linea boards where going up when they are the wrong colour!! We queried this today and were told that they were to be painted the correct colour.. hmmmm.. can anyone tell me why I had to choose a colourbond colour for the boards when they are are going to now be painted?? Why couldn't I just choose any colour, for example from the Dulux or Bristol range?? Anyway, we are really happy with the progress - haven't asked when it will be finished as we don't want to be disappointed, but fingers crossed it will continue to go along at a steady pace so we can organise a big house warming - with lot's and lot's of beverages.. hehe Have uploaded some photos below also.. until my next post.. ME :-)

Mia being cheeky as ever!

The view from our backyard... Above: Kitchen, Dinning and Living RoomThe WRONG bi-folds.. but I love the look.. if only they were in TIMBER!!! PATIENCE.. hehe