Popular Post AFreshStart Posted October 17, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Hi Guys,In light of the recent spate of negative stories I thought I'd share a particularity positive one, which is nothing short of miraculous!We arrive in Sydney in under 3-weeks and have been looking everyday for 2 months on Real Estate & Domain for potential rentals.My wife found this AMAZING home last week and showed me, I loved it and I couldn't shake the feeling I'd seen it before. I then realize the kitchen is from a cookbook! I'm an avid cook and write for various lifestyle magazines on food, decor & gardening trends, so my pool of media contacts is pretty extensive, as is my recipe book collection.I then confirmed the kitchen was the same kitchen in the pic on Real Estate and then reached out to the author via the photographer of the book, a mutual acquaintance.It WAS her home and they are setting off overseas for 2+ years and are renting their house out. We got to chatting about family life, who we are, sent them an article on our own home and family that recently appeared in a trade publication and we just hit it off.Meanwhile we apply for the place, but the agents don't want to work with an off shore couple, so the owner goes to bat for us saying this is the couple they want their home to go to and to do whatever needed to make sure we get it. It's tough because the agents already have a list of people who want it and have had several viewings, but she resonated with us and makes the final call.My sister-in-law visits, next day they take the house off the market, say it's ours and we put down the holding fee.But it gets even better, the house is zoned for the school we want to send our son to and the owners husband is the PTA chairman and all of their kids go to the school!If we hadn't already felt like we were blessed enough she says that they are leaving it FULLY fitted for us with new electrical appliances, which is great since we didn't ship any! It includes everything: double door fridge, gas stove, weber, dishwasher, fully kitted laundry and throwing in smalls like toaster, kettles etc.Then they share they have a bunch of stuff they have they are not taking and would we like them? 2 new kids beds, printer, modem/router and a bike for our eldest, FREE.They ask if we need TV's as they have 2 new flat-screens which we we can have for $300!We have been thoroughly blessed throughout our journey and need to give God the highest praise for going ahead of us each step of the way.CheersMatt Edited October 17, 2014 by AFreshStart 27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donovan83 Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 This is what baffles me about this country. Things often just seem to work out for the best. It's great - very happy for you guys!Finding a place to live was my biggest challenge when I moved over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 All I can say is Welcome to Australia! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyP Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Wow... awesome story:) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maligso Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Lucky Land ... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachball Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 That's really a cool story to hear, we are still in the process to secure visa's. My question though what is required to secure rentals in Aus or even more so what are the documents that we require to gather while still in South Africa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel-B Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 LOVE IT!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted October 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) That's really a cool story to hear, we are still in the process to secure visa's. My question though what is required to secure rentals in Aus or even more so what are the documents that we require to gather while still in South Africa?Beachball,They need to do a background check on you and most agents use one of 2 major systems, both requiring a 100 point check.To get that we submitted passports, credit cards and drivers license. We also had to prove ownership of our home or letter from current agent or owner. For proof of funds we had our local bank manager in Aus write us a letter saying we have set-up accounts with them and can afford the deposit and rent and 2 references.For good measure provided proof of employment for my wife, though that wasn't conditionality, we just did it to provide further support to our case.You need to sign a TRA which allows them to run a background check on you, which also stats you've inspected the property, we had our sister-in-law do this and signed a letter giving her permission to do it on our behalf.Hope that helps!CheersMatt Edited October 17, 2014 by AFreshStart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dill Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Hi MattSo pleased for you and your family! All the best over the next few weeks.Dill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTimeNow Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Fantastic Matt!! You deserve it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Ha! Love it when things just fall into place. Well done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Not a patch on your story, but today the kids (3&4) and I were caught in one of Sydney's monsoon type downpours that come out of nowhere. Oh, we were on foot at the time. We sheltered somewhere, it cleared a tiny bit, we made a dash, chucked down again, sheltered again, then about 5 mins later a face popped up, a Asian man with an umbrella. He had seen us struggle, we could use it and pop it back to his house! Which we did. What a lifesaver. Restores your faith in humanity. Edited October 18, 2014 by rozellem 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ives Posted October 24, 2014 Report Share Posted October 24, 2014 These stories are just amazing to hear about. I've read thread after thread and it feels like I know many of you personally. Anyway we land in Jan and it makes us feel a whole lot better when reading about stories like the above.Thanks for sharing Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted October 24, 2014 Report Share Posted October 24, 2014 WOW. Well is that isn't a positive sign then I don't know what is 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknel Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Its like you won the lotto! Awesome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinK2409 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 How AWESOME Matt! Congrats, God's favour upon you!Good to meet you at the Coffee Club meeting a while ago. All the best with the move and see you next year 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elleneo Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 What suburb will you be settling in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted November 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 (edited) What suburb will you be settling in?Surry Hills, we are going to be living inner city, but have a great terrace on one of Sydney's prettiest tree lined streets that is 800m from our Church, 400m from our Son's school and a brisk 15min walk for my wife to get to work in the city. It's pricier, but we save on not having the added travel expenses and will only need a single car and will bike the rest of the way as we are right next to the Bourke Street dual lane cycleway which runs from Redfern to the Botanical gardens.CheersMatt Edited November 3, 2014 by AFreshStart 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elleneo Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Sounds perfect! And you sound very excited! Lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyebrow Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Wow! How lucky is that?Good luck with all the rest of things that lie ahead.You are almost there.Then we can listen to your exciting Sydney experience stories... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 Nice one Afreshstart,See, God's hand is on your tiller all the way matey! You made the right call coming to Aus. Now, whens the first recipe book due? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoR Posted November 16, 2014 Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Congrats Matt...very happy for you and the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debshodson Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 :ilikeit:that's amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcuz Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 This is brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.