ummester wrote:
What's the book?

Renton's Understanding Investment Property, if I remember correctly. A thick and stuffy book, but covers some of the basics.

SmartGenY wrote:
@fWord – There is more to buying houses than just supply and demand, there is also opportunity cost. (Not to mention that demand is dictated by credit).

Good point. Availability of credit is very important. I'm no economist, but basic knowledge tells me that a tightening of credit would cause house prices to take a fall.…[Read more]

Additionally, on the topic of public housing…in Singapore, where I was born, house prices are very high indeed. To aid FHB onto the ladder of having their own home, there is government subsidised housing from the Housing Development Board (HDB): relatively small apartments in blocks of several hundred each. FHB that qualify for a HDB flat must…[Read more]

ummester wrote:
Don't you think, however, that providing public housing for down on thier luck citizens is a government responsibility?

It is, but only at our (ie. tax-paying workers) expense of course.

I've said this before and the information comes from a book I read at the library:Negative gearing was once abolished back in 1985, only to be reinstated two years later. The attempt to remove negative gearing actually led to a rise in house prices and rent. When negative gearing was restored in 1987, house prices and rent increased yet again!…[Read more]

TKline wrote:
If these campaigns works as the organisers plan, property values may reduce to more sensible levels whereby decent hardworking Australian families can once again afford a reasonable home.

So? Are families that are living in a 'reasonable' home and paying off a mortgage considered not 'decent' and not 'hardworking'?What a crock.The…[Read more]

This is a good point, however not all Asians would pay attention to numbers. I gladly bought a house with a number of '44' as it was my opinion that research regarding the area, potential growth, rental figures and likely demand were very positive for the property. Furthermore this same house has a central kitchen, which is probably considered a…[Read more]

This might sound like a useless answer, but I'd seek advise from an accountant who is experienced in dealing with property investing. The choices are indeed many, but an appropriately-experienced accountant can give you advise on how to grow and protect your investments, the use of trust structures, talking about implications of tax and other…[Read more]

ALF1 wrote:
Ok Stringray, I read about your Housing Price Crash on the link and I was suitably unimpressed how lacking the article was in fundamental economics – something I have a undergraduate degree in. I have read, heard and been dictated to this kind of dribble through the 80's when I had an 18.4% mortgage. I heard it from these armchair…[Read more]

ALF1 wrote:
…Little River get swallowed up, Corio is next on that list. You are going to do well if you maintain a 'buy and hold' philososphy.Kind regards,

Little River has potential. At least a few weeks ago, I remember seeing an acre property near the town center selling for less than $500K (on Jolyon Court). I don't know how functional the…[Read more]

Qlds007 wrote:
I dont now about 5 years but certainly over time.I arrived in Australia from the UK 17 years ago and bought my first place in Albany Creek, Brisbane. Now some years later i still own the first property and another 39 of them.Helps that the Pound was strong when i arrived but with structure and careful planning it is certainly…[Read more]

bardon wrote:
Is it not better to say that they could be getting a better ROI by raising rents.

Yes I wasn't 100% serious when I said landlords should raise rents but I agree with it to a certain extent. Perhaps they should, but it will be at the tenant's expense of course.

bardon wrote:
The only message I can take away from the Economist argument is that there is an awful lot of upward pressure on rents.

Yes, landlords should raise rents. They are not getting enough return on their investment.That was tongue in cheek, BTW.

Wynyard wrote:
"In the end I had 6 applicants, if that, the vast majority of whom I wouldn't consider renting to for one reason or another (ie. potentially 'high-risk' type tenants)"what do you consider high-risk tenants?

Like people who were in a job whose wages were barely able to cover just the rent, let alone their daily expenses. For…[Read more]

Derek wrote:
…are others who want to live in a McMansion.

More to the point. There are people on average and below average salaries who want to live in a McMansion in the inner city.Get real, folks. If you want it, EARN IT!

Aussie houses are world's most overpricedFor another take on the matter, pick up today's (6 March 2011) Sunday Age, go to the Business section and read the article on page 20, titled, "Don't believe the reports on Australian house values".To partially quote,"…what exactly did The Economist measure? The ratio of home prices to rents in 20…[Read more]

brokersperth wrote:
Make sure the shrubs and trees are properly trimmed; the grass is cut and tidy; the walks and driveway are edged and groomed.

Well said. When looking for a new tenant (after a friend had been in it for 5 months or so), the garden at my place was not in the best condition. I made the mistake of not doing the gardening…[Read more]

DWolfe wrote:
Buy clothes on ebay, markets and op shops.

Oh, don't get me started on the op shops. As an op-shop junkie I am often amazed at the stuff you can find there. On an unrelated note, I bought a nice old chess book (from the 70s) and chess set (old-looking, little metal pieces and all). Reminds me of the days when I played chess with…[Read more]

Dan42 wrote:
This looks nice

Close to the train station and a short drive to the beach as well. There are other, even cheaper houses in this suburb.As a hint to anyone who's checking this area out: if you can swing a bigger loan, look south towards North Geelong/ Rippleside where you'll find a nice enclave of property where houses can be had…[Read more]

Here's another gut feel: if such an area exists, people are probably busy buying up rather than posting here.I think you'll have better luck expressing your interest to RE agents in the area and doing a good hunt on the real estate websites. Weekly property listings in the local paper are also worth checking out.