Got pipped at the post again for a house - we were told all the way that it was a matter of the highest price and in the end the seller went with the other offer because they could offer 30 days settlement and 'she wanted to give it to the first home buyer'. Never mind the fact I am, too - the house was Mum's.
Ah well, it would have taken at least $10k just to get it habitable, and that's before putting in things like a split system unit and blinds. And there's another property - a unit this time - just about to come up in a better location and ready to move in or nearly so. But still.