Hi Morty,

I can recommend my own company, F.R. Perry & Associates as a town planning consultant. Have a look at our web page at http://www.town-planning.com.au.

I also know of a number of architects and draftspeople who are very good. Two that come to mind are:

Branov Design (Who I have designing a renovation to my PPOR at the moment) Tel: 9642…[Read more]

Robert,

I am emailing you a pro forma for a planning application so you can see what ifo you have to provide.

Regards
Alistair

Robert,

You simply have to state on the application form that you have notified the owner. You don’t need anything signed.

I would also like to point out that when you contact a council, whether in person or by phone, the person you speak to is usually at the very bottom of the pyramid, often a student planner or recent graduate. You would do…[Read more]

Hi Robert,

As per your request my company is F. R. Perry & Associates P/L. You can see ou web page at http://www.town-planning.com.au . I’m not trying to hide my identity, I simply don’t always post it because I don’t come on here to advertise.

You can take the word of somebody who answers an enquiry line if you like, but first have a look at the CV’s…[Read more]

John & Robert,

I’m not sure which states you are both in, and things might differ between states (although I would guess there is no difference). I am in Victoria and the only stipulation here is that you notify the property owner. This is the same in all local Government areas.

There can be no way for the granting of a permit to have a…[Read more]

Hi John,

To subdivide a block you first need a planning permit. The subdivision process usually doesn’t occur until building has commenced. Therefore what you really need to know is, can you start the planning process prior to settlement.

The answer is most certainly “Yes”. You must “notify” the land owner of the application, but you do not need…[Read more]

Hi Grant,

Steve’s books are great, but you should definately also read some other books as well, as there are many different investment strategies that work. You should look at what a range of successful investors do (both in property and in other investment areas) and then make a decision on a strategy that suits you.

Regards
Alistair

I think some of you are being a bit harsh. If she wants to mix with people her own age, why should you have a problem.

Ian,

You can definately use a valuation as I described, with many of the major lenders. There are strict criteria that you have to follow. If you require any assistance email me at alistairp@town-planning.com.au and I give you some assistance.

Regards
Alistair

Ian,

If the deposit is your problem, valuers will give you a valuation based on the finished product if you can supply them with firm information on plans, materials to be used and costs. You can use this to negotiate with your lender.

Regards
Alistair

Bird,

You will most probably have to get a town planning permit before being able to subdivide. This can cost in terms of both time and money.

You can check the planning scheme for your council at the DSE web site, if its in Vic. The address is http://www.dse.vic.gov.au. The site will also give you info on zoning, overlays etc.

Regards
Alistair

Scotty,

I didn’t think you’d disagree. But there have been a lot of people come onto these boards interested in Bird Dogging after having read Steve’s books, and I thought it was important to point out that there is not a blanket ban on getting involved in the property industry in this way, just restrictions. Certainly you are correct in warning caution.

Scotty,

I aggree with you that you need to be very careful, and “bird dogging” in the form that is usually accepted is certainly illegal. However, it is not illegal to introduce people, and it is not illegal to wreap benefits from doing so, as do many architects in the example given.

I run a town planning consultancy and we work with a number of…[Read more]

I think another thing that people are not getting from Peter Spann’s strategy is that he does not plan on his properties being -ve cash flow in definately. His states in his book that his properties usually reach cash flow positive within about 3 years, and often immediately (in terms of after tax earnings) because of depreciation.

His idea is…[Read more]

I like Peter Spanns approach to creating equity. I haven’t read any of his other books, but I assume, from what I have read that he uses residential property largely to get access to money at low rates, and uses this both to bye more of the same and to invest elsewhere. This makes a lot of sense, as the interest rates and leding ratios on…[Read more]

The fair trading act states that you can’t act as an agent. You can act as a bird dog, as long as what you are doing does not fit the criteria given for this definition.

You just need to be careful with how you act. An example is architects, some of whom generate work by taking potential projects to their clients, in return for the design work.

Find out which valuers your bank uses and employ them directly. The bank will accept their valuation still, and they’re more likely to give you a good valuation if they are working for you. If you give them a lot of info supporting the valuation you want, you make their job easy and they are likely to value the property somewhere near your estimate.

Outback,

For anybody to help, you need to post the state and suburb. If its in Victoria, you can get this info online from the Department of Sustainability and environment web site http://www.dse.vic.gov.au

Regards
Alistair

Hi Julie & Glenn,

If you don’t mind using someone interstate, try Guests accounting http://www.guests.com.au. They were recommended to me by a very large property developer and have only just started doing work for us. I’m more than happy with the service they have given us, which is a big step up from our previous accountants. They are at very top end…[Read more]

I was in Balina recently and read an article in the local paper where locals in Nimbin were complaining about increases in the amount of violence from the low quality people that are moving into the area. Not the hippies that it is famous for but peope using and selling harder drugs.

I know Lismore quite well and it is definately cheap compared…[Read more]