We get the keys to our new house on Friday!

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

I have been ridiculously busy the past year with studies, 5 kids, numerous commitments and house building so apologies for not being around as much as I'd like to be.

Many of you old timers will know that I've moved a number of times in the last few yrs from our old house to a rental place, to another rental place, and to yet another rental. Well, no more because after over 2 yrs of planning a new house and starting the process twice, we will be getting our keys on Friday.

We're so looking forward to it after such a long anticipation.

A number of hassles occurred during the building which meant they were going to tear down the bricks to rebrick the whole house at one stage. This was due to the top half of the house being a totally different colour to the bottom half. Fortunately, that's all good now as they will cover the bricks with sand and paint them in a process that has a 40yrs guarantee. Which means no maintenance required from us. Phew!

So we finally get to move in after handover on Friday.

Yay! Yippee!

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Congratulations Sydney.

So is the housing market as bad as it is in parts of the US down under?

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Glad to see that the mobility may be coming to an end and we will see you you more. Don't believe anyone who says something/anything is maintenance free.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Yeah thanks Tony for that gem. We're holding on tight to that 40yrs guarantee certificate. So hopefully, they wont disappoint. Or maybe, by the time it needs maintenance, we'll be too old to care!

Chriskre, the market is much better in Australia even though it looked a bit iffy for a little while. I know building houses have gone up as they raised the price of our house after we signed the tender. Also, prices of established homes have gone up slightly in Sydney. The rental market is very tight for tenants who get the short end of the stick and there are just not enough dwellings in Sydney. This has contributed to the relative health of the local real estate market compared to the U.S. markets. The government has been very proactive in throwing money at any potential problems by offering tax offsets and monetary incentives to first home buyers and now all buyers. Although we did not receive any as we are not first home owners and had bought our land before the incentive for all buyers came in.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Congratulations, Sydney!! I honestly don't know how you juggle all you've got going on. Hopefully settling in to your new home will make things a little easier!

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

Congratulations! May your new home be filled with love, health and prosperity.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

How fun to build your own home just the way you want it. Enjoy.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Sydney - You must be so relieved to be finally getting in to a permanent home and having it all the way you want and need. Enjoy it

[susieq Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close susieq]

Congrats on your home, Sidney!! You must be soooo excited!! As Glitter said, I don't know how you juggle everything - just goes to show - you never know what you can accomplish 'till you try! Hopefully, things will settle down now. Enjoy your new home!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

So will this be the final move? BTW I saw some of the pics on your FB and the house looks Great!

[dbwill Member Find all posts View Profile Close dbwill]

Congratulations, always to get into a new money pit

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Sydney, I wish you and your family the very best of health and happiness in your new home. Maybe now you can relax and enjoy your new environment.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Thanks everyone! Yes, this will be the final one for many, many years hopefully.

It's nothing fancy but just very practical. We got rid of a lot of empty space in the original open plan design to put in things like storage and extra bedrooms so it does suit our family perfectly.

Only problem is my husband is away for this whole week. So he'll miss the hand over completely, after all these months of waiting!

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Congratulations Sydney! How exciting. Wishing you and your family all the best in your new home.

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Wow, you have been busy Sydney. I did wonder what had happened to you on several occasions. Glad to hear the exciting news ... CONGRATULATIONS.