[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 28, 2008 - 10:54 pm

Hi Wealth4Life: thanks for your reply. To answer some of your…comments..
a – no i'm far from a tall poppy, still very much a learner learning but am going along just fine thanks for asking, long way to go yet but it's fun so far.
b – no one said attending a seminar made you guilty of anything.. and if you read my posts around the place, i've never said the strategy of using options doesn't work. Fine strategy indeed in amongst the many available if the right conditions exist….
c – i have no interest in 'challenging' you double or nothing for anything.. I don't care. Do what you do and good luck to you
d – my 'gripe' as you put it is not jealousy.  Not by a long shot, certainly not of Mark.

My only real issue can be described in a general commentary on the whole spruiking industry, and it is seeing written, verifiable proof of claims made, by anyone in business,whether they're a seminar spruiker or otherwise. It's called due dilligence and it's a very common practice. So if you and I were to enter into a business arrangement and you hopped up and said "I'm worth half a billion and I'm this that and the other" I wouldn't hand over a cent to you or sign any binding paperwork like  a JV until my accountant and solicitor had verified that… not too much to ask given the potential sums of money involved. At least not in my humble opinion. But hypothetically speaking.. if we did enter into an arrangement, and I said all those things to you, and you made business decisions based on those and it cost you time and money, and those things turned out to be either false or inflated or whatever.. what would your response be? I somehow doubt it'd be a position of trust.
Whichever. Best of luck in your deals. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 28, 2008 - 12:13 pm

Hi bob, sorry to hear about that mate, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you and the folks buying, or trying to buy, houses. Agree with all of what you say above..i'm frustrated because I believe in teh fundamentals of our economy, and while it's a bit dire for some, its not all as bad as its being made out to be. Of course compared to record highs and boom times a fall seems bad.. we've taken a right cross big time!! But we'll recover, get our hands back up, and keep punching and keep going forwards. It may take some time but we'll get there.
Anyway.. good luck Bob i'll keep some good wishes coming your way!
Cheers
Matt

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 28, 2008 - 3:53 am

Most of the developers won't invest into areas with a population of less than 500,000. At least not the larger national groups. Not unless, as you say, there is some mining or resources type activity there that would attract a larger population increase than the norm. Ynotnow is correct, just because the numbers may look good means not a lot in the end if you haven't got, or can't get, buyers for the end product willing to pay the asking price. This again would be dependent on the activity in the region, but as you say, there is none in the area you're speaking of. So ultimately, not much point in buying land there unless you plan on building and living on it yourself.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 28, 2008 - 1:03 am

attrill: i asked the same questions…. still waiting… 3 years later.. still waiting.. finding anyone who's been paid out over there is quite a task I find! i think some of the people who speak of successful students over there may mean one or two who have successfully managed to get an option over something. The confusion then arises as many think that's a ticket to a million bucks…when in reality it means very little… Its getting the DA, adding vlaue and then being able to sell it to someone or have an end buyer in place and people who'll deal with you, that's the key, this is when you can profit from it..not a lot of point in having the option if you don't have those other factors in place…at least in the development sphere…whether or not the profits occur to the tune Rolton claims is another matter.. especially in this market place. Loads of stock out there, overabundance of it in fact, not a lot of buyers for it.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 27, 2008 - 12:17 am

HI Bob, I tend to agree.. the media and to an extent government have a lot to answer for where the current moods are concerned. No one seems to be looking too closely at the underlying fundamentals, which when you get down to it, are actually quite good. Frankly I think it's irresponsible but hey what do I know.. I tend to think many are watching the ripple rather than the tide..after all nothing sells like misery eh?

On another note I know a lot of developers projects are sitting still also because they can't get finance from Aussie lenders. that's why there are a number of o/s funds now broaching the AU market, and doing very well. They're not being stupid about it, quite the contrary, I tend to think the Big 4 and their minions will be kicking their own asses which I have to say will be fun sport to watch .

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 23, 2008 - 9:35 pm

Assumption is the mother of all mistakes and to assume anything about the project and the reasons behind the sales etc is probably not a good way forwards, especially if you're going to formulate plans based on that assumption. Unless you know something absolutely, from seeing it or hearing it first hand, or you can verify it legitimately, I'd be hesitant to assume the $30Mill write-off is in fact an accurate figure, or indeed a 'write-off'. They may have made a loss on inititial projections sure, (I don't know the area or project so I'm guessing outright) but it also may be a case of take a hill instead of a mountain of money, keep our creditors at bay and live to fight again another day.
Problem with NSW/VIC/TAS etc is the outflux of people to WA and QLD. 'Our' developers in Qld ( as John mentioned above) are starting to find two things: one is demand is still there up here for product and two, sadly they cant' find finance on-shore to finish their projects, which is where someone like me can potentially do something
Interesting viewpoint though wealthforlife, I don't think its a valid macro (national) viewpoint though, perhaps micro for NSW.. just my opinion of course.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 17, 2008 - 11:01 am

Just as an aside to the commentary on the coal market, I work for a group that provides infrastructure services to the likes of Rio, XStrata etc, and the word from them in the last few weeks has been "we're still pushing ahead with our infrastructure projects and spending because this 'lull' (their words) isn't as bad for Australia as people think and is mostly due to media beatups and panic merchants rather than actual market fundamentals. We (rio etc) missed the last boom and didn't have infrastructure in place and nearly got caught because we couldn't keep up with demand… it's slowed, but not for long and we're not missing the next"…. thats not verbatim but the general gist of the conversation. It wasn't a 'public' presentation either so you couldn't really say it's them pumping it up for appearances sake..at least that's not the impression I got.

interesting comments given who they came from and the level of research etc they put in before spending money.
On another note, there's a lot happening in Ayr these days with development approvals for new homes (500 homesites) and industrial.. spill off from Townsville and Bowen… but that little 'ville is getting on the map.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 14, 2008 - 10:05 am

Hi Polski23: my experiences and those of others with Massland are well documented, if not too well documented…. and I can't really offer more than what's been said already, but especially I'd suggest going over the post by Inthegame on page 1 of this post. I suggest you take that particular post to heart.

My only suggestion is that you ask for proof of all claims made, in written form (at least something that will then hold them legally liable for the claims they make if they turn out to be false or not) including company value, projects and location, referees from past students (in person, not something posted on a website as they can be faked). If you know a good lawyer tell them (massland) you want to do a 10A (I think that's the associated number) due dilligence inquiry on Massland and its associated companies before entering into a JV with them (have your lawyer look at that too by the way and see if it compels them to pay you anything at all)…..see what reaction you get. Its' standard risk management practice by the way if anyone tells you otherwise….If they can't or won't provide any kind of proof, you can ask yourself why that is, make your own judgements….. I've been blissfully ignorant of that lot for a while now and i'm quite happy with that. Things may have changed there, but my own opinion is probably not based on what I keep hearing and reading.

Having heard others experiences with trying to get money back I'd suggest a lot of  persistence is required and always remember that the media love a good story …I'm not advocating or suggesting you do that, that's entirely up to you..just something I hear once…..but be persistent and have a good lawyer at your disposal just in case.. otherwise they'll just keep ignoring and trying to upsell you.
Good luck.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 14, 2008 - 1:13 am

Martin, can you send me your contact details please, if you can PM an email address for communication that would be great.

Thanks,
Matt

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

November 10, 2008 - 11:15 am

Most important thing you can do at this point is investigate what sort of Development Approval you can get for the block, by speaking with Council Planning/Town Planning. Once you have an understanding of what you're allowed to, and not allowed to do, your next step would be to get some plans put together via an architect/engineer/builder. Once you have your project scoped out, then you can start to get pricing for construction via quantity surveyors etc. THEN you can start to think about whether you'd try for finance in which case you'd need to securitise or tip in some equity for the construction funding (and now wouldnt' be the best time to go looking for that as LVRs etc are changing rapidly) OR sell the site with the DA further down the track to someone else and let them have the headaches of construction. Of course feasibility studies are integral to all of this as well, such as factoring in completed value, construction costs, project marketing, holding costs etc etc etc ad nauseum..
Another useful thing to do is find out what the market wants from the real estate agents, and once you have an idea of the council's wants needs and desires via their town plan, you can then start to focus your project scope at something that will be more likely to attract buyers etc.
Good luck!

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 29, 2008 - 5:16 am

Hi wealth4life: interesting post saying Marks' deals are 'real' and all the other info. I'd be interested in speaking with you further, off-line and in person if possible, so please PM and let me know if you're open to that as I think we may be operating in a similar space.
Cheers
M007

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 23, 2008 - 5:01 am

Poss.. sure, PM me here if you like.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 22, 2008 - 6:14 am

Australian Bureau of Statistics should have publicly available crime data although not sure to what level of detail. Usually LGA or similar. VICPOL Crime Stats unit may also have publically available data. That kind of thing isn't usually classified.
Good luck.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 22, 2008 - 6:12 am

Hi
I got a refund but only after they suspected I knew a lot more about them than they were comfortable with. I did not have to hand back any course materials either.
Hope that helps.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 13, 2008 - 10:49 pm

Munchkins your email address above "order@ etc" bounces.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 13, 2008 - 9:41 am

Agreed Michael good one. Munchkin. Most of what I have to say supports what "inthegame" says in the open forum. If you still feel you're unsure after going through the thread Michael has directed you to, PM me if you like.
cheers
Matt

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 13, 2008 - 5:22 am

Munchkins – I have some experiences with Massland and Mark Rolton. PM me if you like and I can relate my experiences, and this may help you decide whether to cancel or not. I'll leave it with you.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 12, 2008 - 10:48 am

Thanks Bob, kind of what I thought.. lots of large blocks of land coming onto the market via agents with blue sky price tags and loads of 'potential'.. if resi is in demand and the houses are being sold/occupied, then the cycle usually follows that commercial/industrial to support the new residents may be on the horizon..I'm not interested in buying an investment property there just to be clear, i'm more interested in development opportunities.
Thanks for the feedback, good to hear from someone on the ground.

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 10, 2008 - 10:30 am

yes especially if you bank in Iceland
Can't respond in any meaningful fashion as I haven't seen a chart on the currency pair or followed it closely enough, so you may well be correct about the upside etc. that said, I didn't expect to see the XJO at sub 4000 either and that's happened, so my own personal risk profile at present is to sit back as there really is no knowing just how far this will drop just yet…perhaps in another month or two it'll become clearer but right now… wow..

[Matt007Member@matt007Join Date: 2008Post Count: 259]

October 10, 2008 - 2:24 am

borrowing at low interest and re-investing at high interest is known as a 'carry trade' (see the following for an explanation: http://www.economonkey.com/2007/09/01/an-explanation-of-the-carry-trade/) large financial institutions and banks have been doing it for decades with trillions of dollars. There is substantial currency risk involved. You can access it as a retail investor via standard currency trading platforms but the risks involved are significant.

Do your research.