Overall the Oz economy has slowed significantly (mostly due to the oil and mining slowdown) but relatively low interest rates (nothing as low as US or CDN) are driving those investors that can, to invest (plus our currency is now much cheaper than just 1 - 1.5 yr ago). 

Many note investors will have either of these reports verified by an additional Realtor or another pair of eyes as well.

In the meantime, my currency took a nose dive losing 5% to the USD in that space of time. 

Except from contractual payments, i have to put 15-20 k usd for interior/decor/furniture and i will be able to rent property 1 for around 700-1000 usd/ mon, and latter for 350-400usd/ mon.Tought thing is that our country is facing cash shortage, property prices going down, local currency (som) ex rate falling, and people are unsure about the future economic situation.

And they weld authority like their a king and the other residents won't grow a pair and stand up.The last board I delt with had a guy that would send you a "friendly" letter and a picture of you trash cans if they were on the street for more that 2 hours after the truck went by. 

Maybe this is the new "pair of shoes dangling from the electric pole" signal that there are drugs available for sale?

laminate has been popular for two decades brcause it is clean and tough, just look for laminate that passes for wood it looks so goodGlass is natural, beautiful, eay to clean and reflective...and will be used in different sizes, colors, shapes and paired with other materials for some time to comeGranite or any stone is classic...but as tastes change the preference for colors of granite will change...and yes it will take a backseat to other fresher ideas in countertopsWood ceramic tile will probably last like travertine porcelain tile because they imitate nature...but as tastes change the underlying hues change...goldenish tones giving way to grayish, I think "looks" will date a decor more than individual choices.  

When appropriate and 3 The Financial Stability Oversight Council consists of the following members: Secretary of the Treasury, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Comptroller of the Currency, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chairperson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Chairperson of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration, a presidentially-appointed independent member with insurance expertise, Director of the Office of Financial Research (non-voting), Director of the Federal Insurance Office (non-voting), a state insurance commissioner (non-voting), a state banking supervisor (non-voting), and a state securities commissioner (non-voting). 4 “2014 Annual Report.”

In the latter (West Van), I'd say you have nothing to worry about walking neighborhoods alone; in the former (that part of East Van), I'd suggest anyone (especially new to the area) would want a second pair of eyes to "watch their back".Same likely applies to lots of different areas of "Detroit"; some are bound to be great/safe/beautiful whilst others will be more "war zone" style - can't lump it all in to the same bucket :)As far as the airport itself though, can't imagine why it'd be a problem (I can't imagine any major US airport being a problem given how much law enforcement presence there is at all of them) - having flown there myself, it's plenty safe and fine with just the usual airport stuff to watch out for (folks who aren't authorized to provide taxi services trying to solicit in terminal for example or what not else).

Anyone out there with experience using foreign private money, for example AUD, and how you handled the risk of currency fluctuation?