Moving from Los Angeles to Sydney - all good advice is appreciated!?

Q: My mother is planning to move to Sydney in the next few months because her mother, brothers and sisters live there. I am planning to visit family in Sydney fairly soon and would like to meet with a real estate agent and other people that can assist me in the purchase of a home for my mother. She would like to live near her sister in West Hoxton. We do have a bank account at Westpac in Sydney. However, since neither of us have an established credit history in AUS, how much of a down payment (percent) would we need to qualify for a home loan? Is it better for us to purchase a brand new home or a second hand home? What type of immigration criteria would we need to meet to purchase a home there? Any other suggestions such as individuals or companies I can meet with when I visit in the first week of August? Do you know of any International Moving companies?

A: One part of the question I can answer immediately: Any Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia can a buy a house in Australia without any restrictions. Temporary Resident, Retiree or Student - Can buy new property without restriction or an established property provided it is your residence and it is sold when your visa expires. Consent of the FIRB is normally required. (exceptions apply for some spouse / de facto partner.) Foreign National or Foreign Corporation - Can buy new property. Can buy vacant land as long as building commences within 12 months of purchase. Can buy an established property only if an additional amount of no less than 50% of the original property cost is spent on improvements or additional construction. Can buy up to 50% of new projects or apartments, Consent of the FIRB is required. FIRB = Foreign Investment Review Board - http://www.firb.gov.au/

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