After a few ordinary/breakeven sessions, Ive managed to book a decent-ish win for the first time in a week or so. I played a 3 hour session and I was sweated by Punchi which was good, he is a very intelligent Pokerstars 200nl FR player who is also studying medicine. It always helps to have a quick second opinion on hands, and its useful for me because I become more consious of my actual though process, as I know im being watched. End result it makes me think clearer, and play better. Also flopped a few sets which is always nice.

Session Graph

While todays session went well which I am happy about, the last 2 months have been absolutely shocking (see previous post). While I thought this was caused by others getting better, I may have jumped to conclusions a bit too soon. I imported my database into setometer and had a glance at my output for the last 2 months.

The last few weeks poor run had damaged my confidence and I was fearing that I was getting outplayed constantly, at times I had even felt I had totally lost my edge and was basically just gambling it up. On reviewing setometer, its obvious I have been rediculously unlucky and have run horribly. Im not looking for sympathy, but writing this to cement the knowledge in myself that the fact that I havnt won as much as in previous months was to a great degree, out of my control. I know now that the luck will even out long term and so will my results. Its amazing how demoralising and depressing a bad run like I have had can be, and im probably guilty of letting it get to me a bit much at times, although I laughed when I realised despite the bad run, Ive still made far more than I have from my “real” job over the same time period. Rock on December.

Pokers - October was a horrible month for me, where my hourly rate had basically been halved from what it had been the previous 4 months. Ive spoken to a few of the other regulars and they all agree that the 200nl FR games have gotten harder. The bad regulars have suddenly become decent, and every second hand gets 3bet from the blinds. Its very frustrating and im sure it has contributed to my running worse, and winning less, than usual.

November has been better, but still nowhere near as good as a few months ago. Ive also had to withdraw large amounts for my imminent house purchase. So ive been playing ok, but not strictly sticking to the standard bankroll requirements, and not winning at a great rate. This I can definetly put down to the general better standard of play recently, but possibly also to the fact that recently I have gone through some very stressful periods lately, due to some significant lifestyle changes and battling with trying to do the conveyancing on my house. I cant complain about everything though, the falling AUD has been very very helpful to me. Its great withdrawing a certain amount of money, and then finding a bonus 40% when i visit the ATM.

Further info on my house - Although my offer was accepted over 4 weeks ago, its basically gone nowhere thanks to the National Australia Bank (NAB). They take the cake for the most incompetent organisation I have ever dealt with. After stuffing me around for over a month and making me redo an application because of their mistake, they declined my loan because apparently I couldnt service it. This is absolutely rediculous, as I submitted statements to them from my roomates detailing that I will recieving $420 a week in rent, and that the repayments are only around $550 per week. Apparently I cant afford $130 per week? So I have had to put the loan through my mortgage broker under a different structure, so it should be all good now. Anyway enough about that, all I can say is to anyone considering getting a loan, an account, a credit card, a mortgage, or anything from a bank, avoid NAB like theplague. Actually dont avoid them, throw a brick through the nearest branches window, and then go to another bank.

The good thing to come out of this is I have negotiated another deal with the Vendor, which is basically if settlement is delayed until after the holiday period, I will move in on the 16th of decemeber and simply pay him rent until the settlement day. This works for both of us as I will get to get all my crap moved in, and he will have his interest covered over christmas. Am really looking forward to it, have had many offers from friends and relatives wanting to give me furniture. I will probably get a package deal from fantastic furniture (they have 13 peice packages for around $2000, pretty good) and pretty much try and accumulate the rest.

End of year plans - Ive got a few more rounds at work, then I should be pretty busy with house crap, then I will be heading to Melbourne which will be awesome, will be going to the boxing day test for the 3rd year running and will also be up for some intense poker analysis with Andy. From there I will be going to the south coast for new years celebrations and then back to work on the 7th of january.

Roh

My blog has moved as I have been hooked up with a domain name. Now I have no excuses for writing 1 blog per month. Latest news is that im still having troubles with my house, NAB are the worst, most incompetent bank I have ever dealt with. If I had my time again I would have never gone with them, my advice for anyone buying a house is to avoid them at all costs.

In other news in the very near future I will be getting windsurfing lessons, which im really looking forward to. Also been regularly running, going to the gym, and of course playing poker. I wish I could concentrate on that all a bit more but really the only thing on my mind lately has been the house dramas. Hopefully (fingers crossed) it will all be sorted out this week and I will be able to move out there in a matter of weeks, am kinda sick of looking at the same 4 walls for the last 3 years. Its depressing to have these little frustrating problems holding me back from moving, but im trying to stay as positive as I can with everything.

Sorry for the lack of blogs, ive been trying to keep it in mind to blog more but things just keep getting in the way. Will make it a goal for next month to do 10+ blogs or something.

Anyway running is great. I havnt run for about a year but because of an upcoming fitness test I have been going for lots of runs, anywhere from 2-6km. I really forgot how great it makes you feel while your going and after you finish. Its very very therapudic and lifts your mood alot, especially if your running where there is scenery. Ive got a great spot going around the lake which is never boring and a really solid run, and I have done it at least 5 times over the last week or two. Im feeling much fitter and happier. If your ever feeling a bit flat, I highly recommend getting out and going for a run to totally change your state of mind.

Ok, so I bought a house (yes, another one). Its for me this time. Heres some photos.

Anyway im very excited and all that, but jeeze im having issues with what Im entitled to/what im not entitled to in the way of entitlements. Heres my post on propertyinvesting.com forums asking for advice…if anyone happens to be reading that knows anything about this id love to hear from you.

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Hi, Really need some clear advice on my current situation….

I Purchased an investment unit in NSW in 2006, and purchsed an investment property in NSW in 2007. I have never lived in either of these - they are purely IP’s and I have not claimed the FHOG or any type of concessions.

I am about to exchange on my first property to live in (my first PPOR) in latham, ACT. I have lived on ADF service accomodation previously. Now my question is, am i entitled to the FHOG AND stamp duty deferral?????

I want to get the stamp duty deferral because then I can afford a 20% deposit and avoid mortgage insurance, and simply pay the stamp duty at a later date. From the people ive asked (mortgage broker, solicitor) I have not yet got a clear answer. I am confused because on the act revenue site (http://www.revenue.act.gov.au) It says this under the eligibility paragraph for the deferred duty scheme…..

To be eligible for the deferred duty scheme:

• the applicant must meet the eligibility criteria for either the relevant Home Buyer Concession Scheme, or the First Home Owner Grant; and
• the property must be priced at or below the upper property threshold under the relevant Home Buyer Concession Scheme; and
• the duty deferred must be $1,000 or greater (DI2007-248).

So, thats fine - I clearly meet criteria 2 and 3…So all i need to do is make sure im eligible for the FHOG right?

Here is the FHOG eligibility criteria…

A first homebuyer, who fulfils the eligibility criteria listed below.

• At least one of the applicants must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency in Australia. A New Zealand citizen who holds a special category visa under section 32 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth) is considered to be a permanent resident and thus qualifies.
• None of the applicants can have previously owned or currently hold an interest in a home anywhere in Australia.
• Applicants must occupy the home, purchased or built, as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months, beginning within 1 year of settlement or completion of construction.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

So, criteria 1,3 and 4 - no problem. Now - criteria 2 uses the word “home”. I havnt owned a “home”, ive only owned IP’s. Surely the definition is referring ONLY to a PPOR, not a “house” for other people.

So im pretty sure I am eligible for both of these, if my definitions are correct. Can anyone confirm this and put my mind at ease??

Thanks,
Rohan

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Anyway so thats the situation, the revenue office dont make ANYTHING easy. Will hopefully get all this sorted out this week and exchange on the property. Then settlement should be early dec and the property will be mine….

oh, and if you are looking for somewhere to live in canberra let me know!