New Home Needed June/July 2008

After our animal receiving activities are discontinued in May 2008 and after we complete the recovery for the remaining patients, we will be eager to move to smaller (cheaper) premises in June or July. While we won't require the space for a large number of animals, we will still need to house a large office. Our lease ends on this property in early August so we must be relocated before then.

At present, we will be looking for one of two options:

1) someone who already owns an appropriate property to rent directly to us on a long term basis for a fair price -- we may be able to contribute to the improvement of the property as well by improving the garden, revege, painting, adding a water tank, etc.

OR: 2) find someone who is looking to buy an investment property who can then buy a property we like and rent to us directly on a long term basis; this provides more security for the investor since they will have a ready-made, long term tenant who will look after the property and they will be making a direct contribution to frog conservation at the same time

There are some specific features that we are looking for in a property:

• we have excellent references but in view of our experiences with the last three properties we have rented through real estate agents, we strongly prefer to rent directly from an owner
• we no longer need to be right in the centre of Cairns so we would consider the area from Innisfail to Mossman so long as the house is completely outside the storm surge zone (this means at least 6 metres above sea level although we would be even happier if it is more than 15 metres)
• security has been an issue in our last three properties so we would prefer a safe area or at least the standard measures for safety and protection (fully fenced, lockable gates, security screens, etc.)
• we need a broadband connection through the land line (which very sadly rules out Julatten!)
• we would consider anything from a large, open style S/C flat on acreage to a typical three bedroom house so long as there are lots of power points
• we would prefer no carpet - we don't care if the floors are bare cement !! - if there is carpet and the owner is happy for a different floor covering to be installed, we might be able to help with this
• maximum rent of $250 per week (this should be quite do-able directly through an owner because the real estate commission is excluded)

We do not need air conditioning; we do not need a gourmet kitchen or a spa bath or a pool or a bbq or anything else luxurious! Just basic but roomy living that is properly maintained structurally -- no roof leaks, sagging gutters, wiring problems, etc.

If you are not a property owner yourself, please spread the word to others.

last edited: April 19th, 2008