Hi Jambv, We have done this in the past. If your area has got “big” companies (mining), just prepare a little proposal (photos, location features, etc) and go talk to the gatekeepers in these companies. I have spoken to HR managers and they seem to be the decision makers. Be flexible on your approach as sometimes corporate tenants require ful…[Read more]

Thanks everyone, it just feels a bit weird, one minute I am yeah, “I love nature” and the other minute I am, “as an investor my objective is to make profit, etc”.   L.A Aussie (Marc), thanks for your feedback, agreed, the guy is a stooge… and yes, all I want is not to be part of it… and take my profit. I am also thinking conspiracy theory, LOL……[Read more]

Hi Darktrooper, I had a similar situation on a reno we completed not too long ago. A triple garage (very old) with a sandstone floor, very uneven and bits missing, etc. My guys leveled the floor with gravel and then poured the slab on top (mesh and drainage included). The gravel helps drain the water that does not get “captured” by the normal dra…[Read more]

Hola atapiap,   Yes, you will need to talk to an experienced solicitor, I can recommend mine, however I am based in Sydney.   Maybe there is still “hope” in getting out of the contract, however  it will come down to the contract you signed. A contract needs to have certain things, that every contract should have (cover, section 149, etc, etc, e…[Read more]

Seminars… his presentations gave him some money for deposits, I attended his very first seminar here in Sydney @ Parramatta, back in 2001 (I think). Easily 100 people in the room, $95 per head, take costs out = a deposit for another property. He still does it today, the man sure knows how to add/exchange value. Awesome stuff.Happy Investing

Hi Zali girl, the west in on SALE at the moment, leave your cheque book at home and do some research. There are a few investors doing what you want to do, check out what they are doing:–         Purchase price, what are they paying and why?–         Area, where are they buying and what areas they are avoiding.–         What to renovate or not…   I…[Read more]

Hi Stephen, I am going to quote Martin Ayles (the developer guy that does seminars with Steve), It all comes down to “How bad do you really want it”.  Beat the agents, place a little classified ad on your local paper (I Buy Older house, etc, etc), also do a little flyer and drop it on those houses that you think are good to profit from a reno…[Read more]

Good stuff Dr Spock, remember to factor in maintenance/repair costs (around 20% rent for older properties), rates, water and insurance. Also if you finance at around 8%, not much room there for cash to flow your way.   Happy Investing 

  Hi p_mac, I agree with property power. Studio apartment offer very little leverage. As an architect (or soon to be) I am thinking that maybe you could buy a big 5+ bedroom house, do a minor reno and rent by the room. You can continue to add value by including FREE internet, laundry, etc, etc, etc. To use those skills learned in school, the time…[Read more]

I’d say go for the one that is one year old and try to use this as your negotiation “angle”. In regards to a %, I don’t think you could apply a rate to it, the best way you have is to find out how much other comparables (1 year old with same characteristics) are selling for. Get the selling agent to give you a print out of actual sales data, g…[Read more]

Hi Pirate,  It would be hard to tell because we don’t know how large (sqm, etc) your extension will be and also what fittings and kitchen you will be using. A flat pack kitchen can cost $3K and a designer kitchen can cost $20K.  Construction costs are around the $1K (at least in some areas in NSW), maybe work out the area in sqm and apply rate and…[Read more]

Hi Mr property, get a free subscription from http://www.prd.com.au, they have really good snapshots of every suburb. You can get growth over the last 5 years, demographic snapshots, median prices, the lot.  There are a ton of sources you can pay and get the info, I just gave you the FREE way on getting the info. Get the agents to WORK! for the money th…[Read more]

Hi Ptialv, equity refers to the portion of the property that is yours (in simple terms), in Timbo’s post, he mentions he has got a fully paid IP, so even though this is a good position to be in, he is not leveraging his money. He can use some of that equity to purchase more properties in order to spread risk, grow his portfolio, etc. so this is w…[Read more]

Hi There Are there any “twists” you can do to the property, if a house, rent by room for example. How about rent, is there room to increase the rent by maybe doing a minor reno, or adding a split AC unit, carport, etc?  Just some thoughts…

Hi Tim, as you know, moving into a trust will “trigger” CGT as well as other costs. I was on a similar situation a few years back, I bought my first 4 IP’s under my own name. I just kept them and made sure the next ones were under the right structure for me, my plan, etc. (trust).  Dont worry too much about this IP being under your name, make…[Read more]

Here is one FREE tip that works ALL the time:  DEMAND a print out of the latest property transactions from the selling agent, they are all subscribed to RP Data, Homepriceguide, etc. Tell them to give you a Radius/street search so you can see what REAL comparables are selling for. If they say no, take your business somewhere else. Happy Investing

No one has “the” crystal ball to tell you about growth in the area and any area for that matter. Buy it if you can afford it, fits your plan, takes you closer to your goals and dreams and makes economical sense today, tomorrow, next week, next month… etc. The area "ticks off "all the fundamentals of a good area to invest, does it fit your plan?[Read more]

There are 3 ways, one is the tips we posters can give you from “cyber-space” (age of the house, etc, etc), second one will be to get a handy man/tradie and ask for a quote (on painting it, etc), they will tell you if it is or not (by the way this is the FREE way, this one will cost $0), and the third one will be to pay $180 to $200 for a bui…[Read more]

Hi Iron Lady, I actively invest in the area. Units and duplexes rent very quickly however they are harder to sell. In my opinion the profile of the Cessnock buyer is still, families looking for the land component (room for toys and for the kids to play, etc). I have done both, units and houses in the area. Heaps of bargains there at the moment…  …[Read more]

Hi Chetnik The area certainly "ticks" all the fundamentals of a sound area to invest. I would also make sure to do some research on the area, if you don’t live there, spend a few weekends there looking at property so you will familiarise yourself with prices, how much houses and units rent for, what is good value. Leave your cheque book at home fo…[Read more]