Am inclined to agree with you Moon' with your views on WA realestate and the status of the local economy etc in particular! I bought 6 or so properties back in 2001/02 when I moved from the east and did $ well on the back of the mining boom!
The boom is certainly over now and recently I sold my last property in the Great Southern for a loss! My only loss!
I can forsee a big down trend in values north and south of Perth and am seriously considering re entering those markets at some stage within the next year or so! I will be watching that space!
In the meantime, I am quite comfortable living in south east Asia where property is cheap and on the rise, and the cultures are full of colour! Until now, Perth was always my transit lounge!