Hi Ben.A big 'DITTO' on what Alistair has had to say and your legal background will prove very beneficial in your clients mind as they realise you are not just someone who walked off the street, did a few weeks to get their Cert IV in Fianancial Services, and then tell them what is best for them. I must also agree that you should be aiming much…[Read more]

Hi Stever1I have to agree with MarJac. The ole student accoms (particularly around Melb with Melb Uni) have traditional shown very little Capital Growth so, the question needs to be asked: are you considering an IP for capital growth or income producing at the sake of capital growth? Until you know what YOU want out of your investment, no-one will…[Read more]

Australia currently has a housing shortfall, strong population growth, a robust financial system, low unemployment, improving economic conditions and a residential market that appears to be moderating in growth in a controlled fashion.   Importantly, mortgage arrears have not moved upwards suggesting that Australian borrowers are coping with the i…[Read more]

Hi Jamie.I gather it is the May edition that I haven't got yet. I look forward to seeing you and your family in API magazine and my hat off to you as you must be doing something very right to be in one of API's articles and not an advertisement. I do hope,after having read more about you in API, that readers and contributors to this forum come to…[Read more]

Hi Eric.A Section 32 acts like a Form 7 does in SA – it is simply a declaration to a prospective purchaser of any easements, restrictive covenants, EPA declarations, etc. You should be able to get a copy of this information from the Lands Title Office in Victoria. I would suggest contacting Victorian Consumer Affairs as they control Real Estate…[Read more]

Hi Dan.Neither company is on any international stock exchange, both in a communist country (not meant to be political) keen on getting foriegn currency, and China being a country that, at best, is still difficult when it comes to trade relations. I can't find anything on of substance on either company and anyone can throw together a website for…[Read more]

Great 'outside of the square' thinking Scott – and that's taking you at your opinionated face value best, and after having read between the lines (it's a lawyer thing)

Try the Financial Review Newspaper or its online version. It's practically the "Bible" of the financial masses who are into Macro and Micro Economics and what is happening locally as well as abroad. If that doesn't work, in around 4 years you could have a Bachelor of Economics and then you're laughing!

Hi Choubi.How long is a piece of string? Regardless of the purchase price, the settlement terms are part of the negotiations between the Vendor/seller and the Purchaser/buyer. Title can change hands ONLY once the Lands & Title office is satisfied that there are no debts, liens or caveats and ALL the conditions of the contract for sale have been…[Read more]

Tylon, make sure you ask your Accountant about Tax Variation (the old 221d) and how it applies to you. It should always form part of one's tax minimisation strategies (if applicable and worthwhile).

I agree with your last 2 statements Michael. Buying off the plan is where so many of these east coast 'wealth creation' companies make such obscene amounts of money. I believe it's always better to buy under 5 years old to maximise depreciation but, as you correctly stated in your last statement, not if affordability becomes a problem. Again, each…[Read more]

WOW Michael! I did the maths too but you forgot to factor one HUGE factor into those figures – HOW MUCH INCOME TAX  ARE YOU PAYING?You do the maths on a combined household income of say a modest $100K (split $50K for each partner with both PAYG). You're going to be losing what $25-$35K in tax and probably battling to get back more than 10% of…[Read more]

Perhaps I should re-phrase point 1 as Buy brand new to maximise tax deductions OR buy what you can afford. But, BUY SOMETHING!

I agree sapphire, that you do not have to buy brand new. In fact, you should always buy, after having done your due diligence, what you can afford – and that is not always brand new. However, if you are paying lots of tax and getting very little back then a new, and negatively geared IP allows one through tax variation (S15.15) to reduce their tax…[Read more]

Choosing the right investment loan can prove as difficult as finding the right investment property. Is there any difference between a loan from a bank and a loan from a credit union? Is it worth paying extra for a loan with more features? If you need to borrow a lot of money where should you go? The main problem is there are potentially more home…[Read more]

G'day Matt. Knowledge on its own is NOT power. Gain the knowledge and do nothing with it is meaningless.  Knowledge + Action = Power!May I suggest you start buying Australian Property Investor magazine from your local newsagent – HUGE levels of KNOWLEDGE. Also, checkout the Investment tab at our website and see if this is further knowledge you…[Read more]

Hi NSW.How do you know your offer was actually presented to the Vendor(s) for consideration? In South Australia, for an example, ALL 'Letter's of Offer' MUST be presented to the Vendor(s) by the Real Estate Agent within 48 hours. The Agent MUST also get the Vendor(s) to sign an acceptance, rejection or counter offer to the Purchaser. In this way,…[Read more]

G'day Ajay.I have always found the best way to find tenants locally is to advertise in the local newspaper like say The Messenger in Adelaide. They are usually placed in the back of the real estate section of the local paper under 'Homes or Units for Rent/Lease. If you can't interview them, then get a local real estate agent to take applications…[Read more]

Hi Dougie.The only way I can see you earning $30-40K per year with $200K is to look at investing in US property.Invest in the US wisely and you would easily pull-in $30-40K a year in income after costs. Send an email to Drew, a good friend of mine, at: drew@investuspropertygroup.com.au and he'll give you all the info you need to make an informed…[Read more]

Sorry, here is the link.http://www.smh.com.au/business/tax-haven-that-turned-into-a-7m-hell-for-100-20100620-ypd2.html