Usually the plug holes are about 400mm apart. When you lay a floating floor over, put short lengths of floor over the plugs. It is easier to then take up these short lengths when you need to gain access to plugs.

We come across this all the time, owners want floating floor, termite plugs everwhere, concrete floor. It is easy to…[Read more]

Done a few (hundred) .

Putting it into writing, here goes. Easier to replace the rope.

At the inside bottom of the window frame (it will probably be painted over) there will be concealed timber “weight holes” Scrape back the paint, carefully remove the “timber plug”. Now taking this plug out allows you to remove the rope and…[Read more]

There’s a product called “ardit” which is specifically for filling In the “valleys” Thickness of product application from 1mm to 15mm.

Its like a slurry mix, trowel it on and it is “self leveling” to a degree. Sets harder than concrete ( well it is in some way similiar). Prep the existing surface with “bondcrete” or something…[Read more]

When we need to demolish houses to make way for new builds, there are many companies lining up to do this for free.

Try salvage yards, 2nd hand building suppliers as they usually have their own team of demo fellas. They demolish the property and salvage as much of the structure as they can. They then sell it at their yard at big…[Read more]

From my experience investing (overseas). My area is UK. You asked about overseas investment and tax implications.

My rseponse is of a general nature, each overseas country that you invest in has its own “rules”. You would need to spend time in each area to learn more.

As Monopoly says “cross the “t’s” and doth the “i’s”.

Regards

afloat

From my experience, go to the area and spend time finding out these things. Look at the implications of being a foreign landlord unless you already live or want to live there. Take time to find accountant, solicitor, broker etc. Make sure that they are aware of “your” situation, where your domiciled, reside, and investing…[Read more]

Being a registered builder myself, I would suggest that if you use a building inspector, ask if he/she has come up through the trade/s (either bricky or chippy) or is he/she an inspector come through the “paper trade”.

Sometimes it helps to have had “hands on” experience, especially with how the “cracks” come to.

regards

afloat – head…[Read more]

London in July, at least it will be a touch warmer than usual I think.

It is very similiar to purchasing property in Aust. Equity to purchase property works well in both countries. Just go and soak up information that is relevant to your needs/requirements.

What I did , before I went to UK, was write down what my…[Read more]

Accounting for your trips to your investment property is a legitimate expense. Whether they be in your adjoining suburb in Aust or on the othe side of the planet (Manchester or even Iraq).

It doesn’t matter to the ATO how effecient you are in your travel arrangements (you could fly first class or economy) to the other side of the…[Read more]

Different rules for each country.

There are many properties that have CPO on them and it is a mix of private and council housing. Majority is council.

Just remembering that there are dozens of property that you could buy today for £3k, yet when you search they all have CPO’s. The gov’t don’t actually state when the property is to be…[Read more]

Certainly some good points there to be taken on board.

The point about the government demolishing unsafe property is very valid.
Just for others in their DD, check in the searches that the property doesn’t have a CPO (compulsory purchase order) put on it.This has been an area where many “investors” haven’t fully understood what they…[Read more]

It has been at least 2 weeks since we started out on this topic and I’m interested to see how much homework has been done by people’s.

It has been good reading back over all the posts, some good comments and some negative comments.

Has anyone done some digging on the Manchester region and would like to share their finding. There…[Read more]

I’m pretty thick skinned and I didn’t think in any ways that there was an “offence” committed.

Observations are great, responses are important and freedom to information makes things posibble.

I accept your observations, and all others for that matter

Regards

afloat – head above water

Melbear – It costs me approx 3k for 2 weeks – I stay with family in Chorley and have the use of their motor (but I still gotta pay $2per litre for fuel) and yes it is claimable against my property there.
For the moment…[Read more]

Either PM me or fire away for any more general information questions.

I am going back to UK on 26th of this month. More ongoing homework to do.

Regards

afloat – head above water

Am off to the other side of this planet at the end of the month again.

Anyone want to get together and bang heads/ chew the fat regarding th UK ?

Still lots to learn

Regards

Afloat – head above water

Well, I’m off to Manchester again at the end of the month.
We have two deals going through at present and we are looking at buying 6 more before years end.

Next year, we have pencilled in acquiring at least 10 and you guessed where – Manchester.

Regards

Afloat- head above water

999 year leases were made available on large tracts of land, by the crown, to wealthly businessmen/industrialists in the early part of last century. Leases were offered to give these businessmen/industrialists “cheap” land to be able to build their factories and workers homes upon.
About the 1950’s the lease due payable on individual…[Read more]

I am not promoting property for sale, I am letting people know of an area that is very viable for positive cashflow investment.

I have been reading many postings on various forums for quite a few years and there are is so much great enthusiasm and encouragement from seasoned property investors.
Yet there is a lack of sharing where to…[Read more]

As you mentioned earlier about setting up a buyers agency, well we have spent many hours putting some thing like that into place. So much can be achieved in a short space of time if you put your head to it

Henry, thanks for the support, knocking down those barriers is very satisfying.

Regards

Afloat – head above water

With regard to leasehold, make sure you target property with a 999 year lease. Most property I have pencilled in are both lease and freehold. The leasehold property has on average 900 years to run. The is a nominal 2 pounds payable per year on these lease hold property.

Property purchase prices.

I will be able to implement my…[Read more]

I’m targeting my buying within areas of government regeneration. These areas are regenerated over about a 14 year period. Salford Quays is a good area to look at what can be achieved and a current area is Burnley/Nelson.

http://www.burnley.gov.uk
http://www.salford.gov.uk

Also try http://www.clickanduse.hmso.gov.uk

For neighbourhood stats…[Read more]

My home work found this to be the best for my position.

Fund the 1st property from Australia. This then shows that the first property in UK has no finance on it locally.
From there I seek a mortgage to 80% of the new valuation, after I have done some refurb, curtains, carpets and have a tenant in place so the property shows an income…[Read more]

As an Australian citizen/resident you can purchase property in the UK.

You can also purchase/refinance property as an individual or through your company/trust.
If you purchase through your company/trust it takes some more time to refinance properties as against in your own name.

Regards

Afloat – head above water

Comfort zones on the other side of this planet absolutely scare many people, especially in property. I believe that they are just not prepared to put in the time…[Read more]

You asked “where” to look.

Well I’ll give you an answer – Manchester UK

Regards

Afloat – head above water

I returned last nite from the UK after a 2 week fact finding mission.
There are many deals in the Manchester region of UK – FACT!!

When it is a business decision, think with the head and not with the heart.

I’m not sitting still on this one.

Regards

Afloat – head above water

I’ve got this between the short and curlys and am off!!! I’m armed with list and I’m off to the other side of this planet.
Fly out Sat nite and will be spending 3 weeks on the land of cool. Back on another plane! Go and do more digging!

Yes, Russ I’m getting off my butt again!

head above water

Afloat

I am always looking at opportunities with an open mind. Just like property, borders and boundaries seem to hold soooo many people back. I know that they are just getting beyond their comfort zone.

Imagine if more people investigated opportunities before dismissing them!?! Yes, there are…[Read more]

You purchase the first property with either cash, LOC, equity loan or family/friends.

What you get for the purchase price is – the property, renovation, solicitors work, their commission. The property still comes in +ve c/f of about $40/ wk. You have…[Read more]

We just put 9 into a job recently, paid 620 each and 850 ea for install. Try the local wholesalers in your area, say your in the building industry and are looking for a top deal.
Transporting them in from Brissy may be an option, there are several dealers down there. Try Natural Cool Air – they may be of some help.

There is so…[Read more]

Work on approx $45/ sqm. This would include steel, crete, boxing, bobcat and labour.
Saying that, it depends where the site is and what the local supply of lab & mat is. Thsi is the est for our area. 500 times 45 = $22500.
You get to know these things after being in the trade for 25 years.

Regards

Afloat

OK, now that we know what we are talking about, “buying better”.
My opinion is to always buy better than the last property. I negotiate smarter, put in low offers to work to my numbers. Its all a numbers game, correct? then if the numbers work look further into the actual property.

If the market is getting tighter, re-evaluate your…[Read more]

Do your strategies say that you HAVE to invest in SEQ? Are you investing with head or your heart?

Have you spent enough valuable time researching your niche?
I found you can spend endless number of hours doing your homework, yet there must be time when you are comfortable with going to the next step, the actual purchase of your first…[Read more]

Who was it that told you that old places were better built? Do you trust this advisors advice?

head above water

Afloat

Head above water

Afloat

I am not buying today because it is Sunday!!

Yet I an buying on Tuesday next!!

head above water

Afloat

It really pays to have done your homework on your niche area and have a great team of people around you as well. Much like a football team, everyone has…[Read more]

head above water

Afloat

head above water

Afloat[thumbsupanim]

It took me 2 years to get some miles and the whole time I thought there is nothing out there, yet when you reach a point you will see the “forest 4 the trees”

Don’t say no, not just yet.
Gather more knowledge and info

Keep your head above water

Afloat