PropertyInvesting.com | alexlee | Activity https://www.propertyinvesting.com/members/alexlee/activity/ Activity feed for alexlee. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:47:47 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=2.8.1 en-US 30 hourly 2 e5976bb648f3d881f53d753c23d57497 alexlee replied to the topic What Will YOU Do When The Bubble Bursts? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4385922-what-will-you-do-when-the-bubble-bursts/#post-4550621 Sat, 01 Jul 2006 13:40:24 +0000 Foundation, I agree with you that credit will be harder to come by in a bust. However, credit doesn’t completely dry up. Properties still change hands. Those with strong balance sheets, cashflows and high salaries will still be able to get loans. Also vendor financing will be much more common in a bad market, which bypasses the banks…[Read more]

]]> 2d04cbec0b7a993a16f3e3187b787dd4 alexlee replied to the topic What Will YOU Do When The Bubble Bursts? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4385922-what-will-you-do-when-the-bubble-bursts/#post-4550617 Fri, 30 Jun 2006 06:51:37 +0000 Originally posted by foundation:But surely ‘locking in’ values near the top of the market won’t be much use if the value of current holdings falls, will it? Lenders will still want to see balance sheets where total loans outstanding < total current market value. Unless their LOCs are sufficient to buy outright (no loan), these ‘experienced…[Read more]

]]> ac0939605a3f8b739e3b40c0b58fd306 alexlee replied to the topic What Will YOU Do When The Bubble Bursts? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4385922-what-will-you-do-when-the-bubble-bursts/#post-4550612 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:40:03 +0000 What will I do when the bubble bursts? BUY! Experienced investors would be prepared for the bursting of the bubble anyway with LOCs locked in near the top of the market and cash reserves.

In a bust (probably due to a recession) sellers get desperate and are flexible on terms.

People go bankrupt in property when they buy at the top of the boom on…[Read more]

]]> ad137cea94d031bcbd4a52f1fd337f18 alexlee replied to the topic Rent to Buy in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4385735-rent-to-buy/#post-4549595 Mon, 05 Jun 2006 22:22:59 +0000 Sandy, backing up a bit, is it a good idea for you to be buying a property without a deposit? Rent to buy usually involves higher than normal rent. If you don’t have a deposit, does that mean you’re spending beyond your means? If that’s the case, can you afford the rent to buy payments?
Alex

]]> aa3b3138abc05a7e376488434aaf2f5b alexlee replied to the topic CA or CPA - Any accountants here? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4384412-ca-or-cpa-any-accountants-here/#post-4541634 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:26:55 +0000 Guilty. I’m a CA, qualified 2001.

Majority of CAs would start the CA program right after uni, average 3 – 4 years. So average age would be 25? I qualified early (just b4 I turned 24) but most of my group were 25. Nothing wrong with 25 yo grads as a lot of people switch careers to accountancy. A lot of firms like non-accountancy backgrounds if you…[Read more]

]]> b3e859e0a960166eda54d6f2a4e15055 alexlee replied to the topic Buying out a whole street. in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4383413-buying-out-a-whole-street/#post-4536660 Fri, 02 Dec 2005 15:27:32 +0000 It’d be like forming an owner’s committee, right? Get the owners together, then lobby the police, council etc to clean up the street, and say you’re willing to put some money into repairing the homes, etc.

Basically, it is much more politically involved. If you can get some reporters to make some news about it, etc to influence the council…..

]]> 5cf6ff9ab5f157bc0021c5a25509aec2 alexlee replied to the topic Can I get finance for Aust. property while in UK? in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4383237-can-i-get-finance-for-aust-property-while-in-uk/#post-4535590 Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:42:36 +0000 Having a broker is great, especially if you’re in the UK: they can operate in the bank’s time zone.

I bought Australian property while I was working in Japan. I got the loan through ANZ (via my mortgage broker) and I had to have my signature witnessed by the Australian consulate in Tokyo. They charged me A$20 per signature, but I suppose that’s a…[Read more]

]]> 17c49fdadc0ef979591bf9f3db7ab2b0 alexlee replied to the topic High Rise Apartments in Chermside (Brisbane) in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4383067-high-rise-apartments-in-chermside-brisbane/#post-4534604 Sun, 06 Nov 2005 18:29:51 +0000 Personal opinion here, but tall developments tend to have higher costs (body corp). Also, there are more things that need fixing, especially lifts.

I don´t think you should think of it as ´I´ve been waiting for 4 years so I have to move now´. The cycle is moving down so if anything you have plenty of time do your research, etc.

What would b…[Read more]

]]> 0686cc1cdd918b603c757e4a13968ee6 alexlee replied to the topic TAKING OVER A MORTGAGE in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382426-taking-over-a-mortgage/#post-4530980 Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:49:51 +0000 Agree with G7. Incidentally, why do you think the place is worth $430k on the current market? The seller has put it on the market and it isn’t selling at $400k, so it certainly ISN’T worth $430k. If rent of $280pw is correct, at $430k that’s a 3.3% yield. That would have been peak price and it’s certainly a lot quieter now.

Besides, I don’t think…[Read more]

]]> 4fb8a14a574e503fa3c0d7ce00b2f685 alexlee replied to the topic wanting to be New home owner in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382420-wanting-to-be-new-home-owner/#post-4530960 Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:46:08 +0000 Bexi, I think you’re jumping the gun a bit. From your post you don’t seem to have an idea about what you actually want. Do you want income? Capital growth? Both? What is your tax situation like and how will the property impact it? If you buy in the US how do you manage it?

Before you buy a place, I’d suggest going to your local library and…[Read more]

]]> e6a2e2f55ecd1b2a3aec7649b103a985 alexlee replied to the topic Tokyo land prices see first rise in 15 years in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382359-tokyo-land-prices-see-first-rise-in-15-years/#post-4530511 Thu, 22 Sep 2005 22:01:37 +0000 I don’t think Oz is overvalued to the same extent as Japan was. At the peak they said that the land around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo could buy the whole of Manhattan or something!

After 15 years of stagnation, though, even Tokyo isn’t that expensive. You can get a decent enough 2LDK (2 bedroom unit) for maybe 30m yen, which is only about $400k…[Read more]

]]> a3d51f390a94d554d97839ceeac806c0 alexlee replied to the topic Paper work and administration in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382350-paper-work-and-administration/#post-4530436 Wed, 21 Sep 2005 08:09:40 +0000 Personally, I have one permanent file for a property with purchase info, depreciation reports, contracts, etc

Then I put the ongoing tax stuff (agents statements, council rates, body corp) in each year’s tax file.

Then just put together a little spreadsheet for the tax year.

Anything that’s not directly related to tax (agents ads, etc) goes to…[Read more]

]]> 8f8708a373a0cd0276506338ab4c796c alexlee replied to the topic Pay off early in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382286-pay-off-early/#post-4530017 Sun, 18 Sep 2005 07:11:30 +0000 Simon, but even if an offset account is used, extra payments are still considered paying off the principal of the loan, right?

If in the future say $100k is redrawn to buy a PPOR, the ‘purpose’ test says that the interest isn’t tax deductible because it’s for a PPOR.

In other words, paying off the loan on an investment property and then buying…[Read more]

]]> 0e6daf51e1420f6bd44ec5743713f2c4 alexlee replied to the topic Investment Property Guide in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382283-investment-property-guide/#post-4530008 Sat, 17 Sep 2005 23:19:40 +0000 Also, Sid, you may want to go back a step and put down your objectives with property investment. Are you looking to build your retirement fund? If so when do you want to retire, etc? How much can you afford, what is your tax situation and what happens if your circumstances change? (Change job, kids, etc).

Property investment is only a tool: what…[Read more]

]]> 86121579d764945794e1478349db59e2 alexlee replied to the topic Investment Property Guide in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4382283-investment-property-guide/#post-4530007 Sat, 17 Sep 2005 23:16:58 +0000 1) Read all the property books you can get your hands on (especially ones that talk about how to deal with agents)

2) Decide on a few suburbs you might be interested in and research them thoroughly (historical price reports, demographics, talk to people who live there)

3) Look at lots and lots of properties, both rentals and sales.

]]> bbdcf662362777ecfe192ddd14c04dac alexlee replied to the topic Westpac - Australian Dollar set to plunge in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4380236-westpac-australian-dollar-set-to-plunge/#post-4516081 Fri, 13 May 2005 01:22:01 +0000 Dmichie, just on your comment. What if the Chinese grow strong enough economically to start buying Australian property en masse? I’m thinking something like the late 70’s and 80’s with the Japanese buying up everything in sight.

Back then the Japanese were just flush with cash so they bought hotels, apartments, whatever in Australia and the rest…[Read more]

]]> 1ea706b43f510f4ba870e0dd23518897 alexlee replied to the topic Westpac - Australian Dollar set to plunge in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4380236-westpac-australian-dollar-set-to-plunge/#post-4516078 Fri, 13 May 2005 00:59:11 +0000 Sounds good to me. I’m planning to hold the property buying for the next 2-3 years while I go to London to save as many pounds as possible. A lower AUD will increase the AUD value of everything I save, and then I can come back to Oz and pick up distressed properties.

The boom times will come again. I’ll just pick up properties at the market lows…[Read more]

]]> 92e6eaf80f12691a2c3f0f1169cec57d alexlee replied to the topic 1st Home Advice in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4379685-1st-home-advice/#post-4512301 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 03:01:11 +0000 Also wanted to add: to the usual ‘package’ that investors go through:

Talk to accountants, lawyers, mortgage broker, insurance broker.

If you’re interested in the student market (given you want to rent out the rooms individually) ask around at uni as to who does this. Get the agents they used and talk to them.

In short, start gathering…[Read more]

]]> 1abe72bd6f14e63147dc2374d7a9d44e alexlee replied to the topic 1st Home Advice in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4379685-1st-home-advice/#post-4512300 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 02:57:47 +0000 Hi, c_pagie84. Don’t know anything about the Melbourne market, but I’d suggest running searches on http://www.realestate.com.au and http://www.domain.com.au. Start getting out there and looking at properties. There’s nothing like ‘on the ground’ info.
Alex

]]> aa7082f9caacfad6ea25d4bb779d0303 alexlee replied to the topic Bird-Dogging in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4379268-bird-dogging-8/#post-4509844 Tue, 29 Mar 2005 10:47:57 +0000 Hi, Darryn. To be a bird-dog means finding good deals to people who don’t have the time to look for them. In other words, you have to know how to find a good deal FIRST before you can be a bird-dog. What are you bringing to the table? Just having time and a good attitude isn’t enough (though it’s a great start).

My suggestion :start looking at…[Read more]

]]> 8a702374debdce7a43c0a2a1b73a675a alexlee replied to the topic Home Buyer looking for wrapper in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4379136-home-buyer-looking-for-wrapper/#post-4509056 Thu, 17 Mar 2005 07:42:36 +0000 Uh, a $250k – $300k Sydney property would probably only rent about $200 – $250 pw max. Why not suggest to your friends to rent a $200 – $250 pw property and save the difference? They could save at least $10k a year. The Sydney market isn’t exactly jumping so there’s no big hurry.

Incidentally, I think anyone who can afford $450pw in rent and…[Read more]

]]> ee3d0bfae4e1cf5e6c9314b97f4621f2 alexlee replied to the topic multi currency mortgages in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378865-multi-currency-mortgages/#post-4507333 Fri, 25 Feb 2005 05:51:08 +0000 The facility would turn your loan into a big FX punt, doesn’t it? Does it change the currency of the principal of the loan into some other currency? If so, and your main salary, rent, etc is in Australian dollars, you lose/gain money when the FX rates move.

I thought about using a Japanese yen mortgage (1.0% or something) but I decided having…[Read more]

]]> f7c2807fd44a4c9ab6a8b07de8382b75 alexlee replied to the topic Solicitor reccomendation for the Brisbane area? in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378794-solicitor-reccomendation-for-the-brisbane-area/#post-4506974 Thu, 24 Feb 2005 03:11:16 +0000 I think Kellie-Lea has left FREWS, but I agree that FREWS is good. I’ve used them a couple of times and the staff are always friendly and happy to help you.
Alex

]]> 22c8f6aa1b5c00e50e54e3101fa25a3e alexlee replied to the topic Olly Newland book - The Day The Bubble Bursts in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378802-olly-newland-book-the-day-the-bubble-bursts/#post-4507040 Thu, 24 Feb 2005 03:09:46 +0000 Anyway, I’ve read the book. Some interesting ideas (such as buying physical gold as a hedge) though a bit too scare-mongering at times (e.g. a government can cancel its currency at any time: theoretically true, but unlikely to happen in any of the big Western countries).

Also lacks some follow through. He talks about buying some unit in Bondi for…[Read more]

]]> df0bc33c4b2e26ac5138e75764829e9e alexlee replied to the topic South East QLD Draft Regional Report in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378293-south-east-qld-draft-regional-report/#post-4504077 Thu, 27 Jan 2005 02:58:43 +0000 Here you go, Wilandel.

http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/?ID=29

Very interesting. So far those developers who bought cane land around the coastal strip are screaming. The government may reverse it’s stance down the line, but these things tend to be self-fulfilling, right? If the government insists on the plan for 5 years, say, the developers are going to start…[Read more]

]]> d58feb16365081c72fad80b7bbabd85e alexlee replied to the topic Villas townhouses and units in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378125-villas-townhouses-and-units/#post-4502995 Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:02:18 +0000 Generally, if there’s a body corporate, treat is as a unit (townhouses, units and villas would be included here). If there’s no body corporate, it’s a house.

My own definition: if I can blow it up without asking the neighbours first, it’s a house!

]]> 0bee7ace7247c17c895e633b1dffdbf9 alexlee replied to the topic Villas townhouses and units in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378125-villas-townhouses-and-units/#post-4502993 Tue, 18 Jan 2005 08:14:07 +0000 Generally, the more land content and the bigger the place the quicker it appreciates. So a townhouse will appreciate more than a unit especially in later years. New developments get smaller and smaller. So if all around you are new smaller units and you have a big old townhouse, your townhouse looks a lot better. You can always renovate inside and…[Read more]

]]> 74b4616cb878de22051f69dd1f1dce31 alexlee replied to the topic How long did you take? in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4377683-how-long-did-you-take/page/2/#post-4500188 Tue, 18 Jan 2005 07:31:23 +0000 At what age did you start investing in property?
First property (Brisbane townhouse bought for $170k, current value $260k – rent $255 pw) at age 20. Now 27.

What difficulties did you have in doing this?
Not much. I had enough cash for a 10% deposit + costs, and I was employed at the time (bank lent me $150k on a $35k salary).

Was your first…[Read more]

]]> af161ed8011d7eb6a844201416719afa alexlee replied to the topic 1 mill' in 1yr in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4378018-1-mill-in-1yr/#post-4502297 Fri, 14 Jan 2005 03:06:26 +0000 The more income you have and the more assets you have, the easier it is to invest. A holiday will kill off your savings, though you’ll have a great experience.

Why not combine both? Say in Europe, get a Working Holiday visa, and work while you’re there. You get to meet the locals and make a few Euros.

I did it for the UK (2 years) then came to…[Read more]

]]> 48eab184d6b8d154a56e643f98d0119e alexlee replied to the topic How many properties would I need in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4376603-how-many-properties-would-i-need/#post-4493681 Mon, 20 Dec 2004 03:54:19 +0000 Why would you need $1m a year? Ferrari, Armani, waterfront mansion in Manly (I’m a Sydney boy), summer in the Hamptons, winter in the casa in Italy, flying First Class all over the place….

I’m with you, Sonny JIM. My goal is $1m as well.

Now, the $1m question is: what plan have you got to get there and/or what are you currently doing every day…[Read more]

]]> d7829bbbe96c53db8e9b3e7d0af535da alexlee replied to the topic The Fall and its effect on Investors -well, none.. in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4377455-the-fall-and-its-effect-on-investors-well-none/#post-4498406 Mon, 20 Dec 2004 03:49:35 +0000 Hi, gmh454. I agree. This has not been a normal cycle in that it has been a lot more volatile than before. I think anyone who bought Sydney properties at 3-4% yields are in for a LOT of pain in the next couple of years.

My point is this: there is a massive difference between buying at (of valueing existing property at) 5% yield and the ‘median…[Read more]

]]> f6bf79f55393d29757667355069a323e alexlee replied to the topic The Fall and its effect on Investors -well, none.. in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4377455-the-fall-and-its-effect-on-investors-well-none/#post-4498400 Fri, 17 Dec 2004 04:44:48 +0000 Exactly. My properties are cashflow neutral (they’d be positive if I didn’t keep re-financing to buy more), and I’m still young. I’m planning for 7.2% average annual gains, and I’m guaranteed to be rich by 50 even if I do NOTHING from now until then.

Obviously I’m going to do more than sit on my hands. (Plus the more I see the world the more…[Read more]

]]> 4aed9a8f9cfc2a8b6d7c0aa937603876 alexlee replied to the topic The Fall and its effect on Investors -well, none.. in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4377455-the-fall-and-its-effect-on-investors-well-none/#post-4498398 Fri, 17 Dec 2004 04:04:44 +0000 I’m literally drooling over a market correction in Sydney properties. I’m from Sydney and I didn’t buy from 2000 – 2003 (always thought it was too expensive). I’m currently overseas but when I get back in 2005 I’m going to actively look at properties. Pick up just one or two a year until the boom that’s going to come in the 2010’s.

I just find it…[Read more]

]]> 133308ca2dfba029b6dee8fbee6c2b11 alexlee replied to the topic So its a long wait until 2008... in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4377241-so-its-a-long-wait-until-2008/#post-4496910 Thu, 02 Dec 2004 03:27:43 +0000 Exactly. A down market will sort out the true investors from the people who just (luckily) caught a rising market.

Personally, my own prediction for the Sydney market (missed out on the Sydney market this time around, though I bought a few places in Brisbane between 2000 and 2003):

2004-2005: the market stays flat. Interest rates go up slightly.…[Read more]

]]> 0b5745b70fec440b4b69502b57638412 alexlee replied to the topic How RICH ! Do You Want To Become ? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4376244-how-rich-do-you-want-to-become/#post-4491369 Thu, 30 Sep 2004 05:38:35 +0000 My personal goal is “To do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want”.

]]> 264ee8c51c7e532c0d3c47987bacb844 alexlee replied to the topic Is insurance worth it? in the forum No Subject https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4375806-is-insurance-worth-it/#post-4488618 Tue, 07 Sep 2004 02:32:35 +0000 Definitely have to buy insurance, just because you can’t quantify how much you’re up for in the event of an accident.

I just settled on an IP in WA. A week after settlement the PM emails me and says part of the fence blew down due to strong winds! Luckily I had insurance from day 1.

A few hundred dollars for a good Landlords Policy is NOTHING…[Read more]

]]> 300abfe69596230d0838c31bf030f967 alexlee replied to the topic Units on Single Title to Strata in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4375744-units-on-single-title-to-strata/#post-4488113 Mon, 30 Aug 2004 05:20:05 +0000 Hi, Yorker. I’ve seen some blocks (6-8 units) one single title, so you have to buy the whole building in one gulp.

]]>