I agree that you should be clear about your conditions. I think once you have experience with contracts and setting and negotiating conditions, then you probably won't need a lawyer. When you're starting off though, it would be wise to get legal advise. That's my opinion.

Hey. I haven't dealt with APD myself, but from my experience with other similar companies, I'd suggest that you do your background research first. Understand their vested interests and where they make their money from. Also try and get references of past clients. Then you'll make a more informed decision

Yeah, looking interstate (outside of NSW) may be complicated if you’re based there. If I were you, I’d invest in Western Sydney where you can find properties under 300k

Personally, I don’t like investing in rural areas. But it may be different for you.
As they said above, check the vacancy rates first.

If you can’t find a good rural property with low vacancy rates, then just keep saving for now so you can get a better property in the future

Personally, I wouldn’t get into the business (because of the long working hours, and I just dont have the passion for it myself)

It may be different for you though. Stevedebba’s comments are really interesting, and an innovative fish n chips shop that offers a healthy option may get more customers as people get more healthconscious.

In my view,…[Read more]

Yeah it’s important to have good property managers, and to let go of them fast if they’re not performing!

Recheck the terms of your contract – make sure you you check the clauses regarding “termination.”

Here’s some more info to help you out: http://yourokcpropertymanager.com/how-to-fire-your-property-manager

dennisfassett wrote:
Jason – Decent advice but incomplete.My strongest advice is to deal directly with someone locally here. Why? Local knowledge.<moderator: delete advertising>My advice:- Forget the brokers- Forget FORECLOSURES- Forget the other middlemen- Forget the "fully rehabbed houses"- Forget the crappy areas- Ask for and get comps for…[Read more]

Hey Dan,

I checked out the websites and it’s very neat, clean and professional. Well done!
I guess the next thing is to drive traffic to the website, through SEO and so forth. Good luck with it

Matt

I agree that it’s quite frustrating to have a duopoly of real estate websites in Australia! I also checked out other Aussie real estate websites and some of them look like they’re from the 1990s (or earlier!).

Hey Investnut and others,
Check out this article which talks about the NSW scrapping the stamp duty concessions for first home buyers:

http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/nsw-scraps-stamp-duty-concessions-for-existing-homes-from-2012/2011090651441

I recently went to a property conference, and there were stalls selling US properties – they’re so much cheaper than aussie properties! I don’t know if I’d buy any time soon from there, though.

Hey!
I only know property seminars here in sydney – but just a word of warning for “free” property seminars: Just make sure that the advice they give is good, and that they actually practice what they preach

I think getting a mentor is a top idea! For me, I get my mentors by reading books and articles from top investors who have proven results.

Make sure your mentor has PROVEN RESULTS.

All the best,
Mattsta

i dont have too much experience in billboard investing (only making profits from online billboards, really). I do have experience in conventional property investments of course too!

Just keep reading up on the topic. there’s great resources online, and books too have helped me out with investment ideas.
This might help you out too:…[Read more]

the reintroduction of the stamp duty in 2012 is no good for first home owners.
at least they still have the grant though!

Oh and there are other ways for first home owners to get on the property ladder. check out: http://www.bigpondmoney.com.au/alternative-ways-to-get-on-to-the-property-ladder

for me personally, i’d rather rent out the 2 properties and just live in a property via rent for the lifestyle.

i don’t want to be “tied down”, but that’s my view

diff people have varying opinions though, as shown here: http://www.bigpondmoney.com.au/articles/will-a-mortgage-wreck-my-life