The next time I decorate by a colour of the year will be the first time. Don't hold your breath. I have nothing against this particular colour but it doesn't work with all the things I've collected over the years, and I am not about to discard carpets bought after hard bargaining with dubious merchants in Istanbul or Islamabad because they don't "go" with a paint colour that someone voted "colour of the year." In its place, I think the colour would be quite nice (better than this years choices, certainly). It's just that my place isn't the right place for it.

I was 23 years old and our first home (1982) was $42,000 but interest rates were 21%!!! It was in Otorohanga NZ and mortgages were tough to get. Best decision ever though. We had second hand everything, even using an old beer crate as coffee tables and book shelves lol. Over the years we have owned only 3 homes though, and if we were to start again we have learned to not over capitalise on homes we have bought instead upgrade sooner. Finally we are ebarking on our first new home build ... bettter late than never though definately!

Hey Nik. Our current garage is 6.5mx6.5m and its great I can fit on each side some peg board and cabiners and at the back of garage, can store some bikes. But its tight - and we also dont have the space for a shed at the back. I currently store power tools, whipper/snipper/mower in the garage. Having approx 8x8m would be a huge upgrade for current things I store, and allow me to put battery storage in future and have a good workbench and workspace area. I did think about a shed at the back - will be much cheaper. But I would have to provision for a concrete slab, adequate power and would have to insulate it if it was to be my man-cave! I wonder how much adding 1.5m to the garage would cost compared to putting a quality shed in with utilities etc!?

how exciting for you....most important is location first including views, local climate, sunny or cold and noisy side of the building then access to public transport, local shopping, direct easy commute to work, ongoing fees what will you be responsible for outside your own apartment including ceiling leaks? security front door, windows, balcony and access to lock up garage with storage, private laundry (or space for a washing machine in the bath or kitchen), secure public entry and external lighting ..inside look for the most spacious rooms, open plan kitchen rather than small separate space, preferable two bedrooms and a generous bathroom...old kitchen and bathrooms, floorcoverings and decor can be improved but you can't improve the location.. best of luck with your first home