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December 10, 2011 - 9:42 am

Even though I know it takes time and some money to DIY, I would suggest to DIY. It lowers your risk of getting conned, and helps you figure out how to do it, which can be very important if you're serious about buying in the US regularly and for the long term.

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December 9, 2011 - 8:31 am

Hey Emma,

I had a look at your blog. Very simple site and easy to read for those interested in real estate.

Keep up the good work, ,I know from my own experience that it takes alot of commitment and time to manage blogs for the long haul

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December 9, 2011 - 8:29 am

Yeah I reckon that the management charges for self serviced apartments and hotels will be what can eat away at your earnings. Make sure to consider their impact on your calculations

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December 8, 2011 - 7:26 am

woah. thanks for sharing.
that puts it into more detailed perspective about capital loss recently.

I agree that it's a good time to buy

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December 8, 2011 - 7:24 am

Hey all,

homersyd – thank for sharing the article story, as well as asking those questions, which I also had.

Homersyd has said:

"3. Just to confirm the idea of buy X properties in Y years, is it simply the following and just repeated over and over again?
a. Buy 1st home
b. If 1st home value increased, refinance with bank, take out part of that $$$
c. Buy 1st IP with that $$$ from refinancing 1st home.
d. when 1st IP values increased, buy 2nd IP from refinance 1st IP etc….and repeat
e. What I dont understand is how come the guy from API can buy like 3-4 IP's in 1 yr?"

OK. so perhaps buying 3-4 IPs in 1 year may be stretching it. BUT how many IPs in your opinion would be reasonable in 1 year?

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December 7, 2011 - 6:32 am

I'd align both the tax years, in my opinion. That'd make more sense and easier to organise your finances.

Although, whenever I come across hairy questions involving international tax issues, consulting your accountant is best.

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December 6, 2011 - 4:43 am

Hey great read!

For those of you wanting to read it, do cehck out the New link (as mentioned above) – as the old one doesn't work.

Your details about the retail market in Sydney were interesting as I'm from there. And yes, the Westfields there did come in with a bang this year and is pioneering the commercial property market in the city

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December 6, 2011 - 4:37 am

jayhinrichs wrote:

Speedy The selling of junk US properties is a global activity. And just as many US companies that run the gambit of poor to out right felonias activity as described in this thread Bottom line you get what you pay for……Just seems like sales agencies are really preying on those that want to believe in the 20k house that's going to give them some huge return all in the comfort of their Easy chair Of course there are basic s one should follow when buying properties Would a buyer in OZ just wire funds direct to a seller or would they use an attorney or closing company?

Yeah, I went to a property conference in Sydney where there were several stalls advertising US properties!
I talked to some of them, and I did see a number fo 20k US properties which I was amazed at. I did think that the returns were too good to be true, and I preferred to do due diligence on those properties (which I can't do atm) so I prefer to buy domestically for now.

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December 6, 2011 - 4:31 am

I agree that creating price controls on rents is not the way to go. Gov't intervention in the market via price controls could stuff things up even more. I prefer policies that would increase supply.

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December 6, 2011 - 4:26 am

For me, I prefer +VE CF properties, as I like making money from my investments.

But yes, like Luke said, sometimes we need to understand the full contexxt of things, and understand your overall outcome with the IPs.

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November 29, 2011 - 10:27 am

Hi,
Goal setting is one of the major keys to success.

You mentioned that you often chop and change goals. That may not necessarily be a bad thing.
You should remember that there is a difference between GOALS and OUTCOMES.

Outcomes remain rigid and are what you ultimately want (a result).
Goals are ways to get there, and they can be changed. Sometimes you do need to be flexible with yoru goals and action plans in order to achieve the result/outcome faster or better.

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November 29, 2011 - 10:25 am

I think a thesis on the affordability of housing for young people would be a very interesting topic. Many first home buyers are concerned about buying a home nowadays and its getting harder and harder. This would be of interest to you as a young person too.

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November 25, 2011 - 8:30 am

Based on recent news, it seems that the GFC2 will be coming – that's my gut feeling too (but I can't predict it with a guarantee). If the GFC2 does come, then yeah I reckon prices will go down, and that'll affect your decision too

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November 25, 2011 - 8:23 am

''This has potential to be significantly worse than the Lehman Brothers collapse and the subprime crisis because now we are talking about nation states,'' Mr Norris told BusinessDay.

That's quite concerning. I guess I may have to brace myself for the oncoming GFC2 – What are you all doing to protect yourself (or at least be cautious)?

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November 24, 2011 - 8:41 am

Hmm. sounds like an interesting place. I can speak some french so that interests me. I should visit Mauritius sometime, and perhaps for getting into investments.

What about the safety, crime rate? Is it low?

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November 24, 2011 - 8:36 am

Hey I had a look at the spreadsheet, and it is very detailed!

I could use one of those myself for my own properties. Thanks for the share

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November 23, 2011 - 9:01 am

Hi,
I haven't visited Mauritius before, but I've seen pics and it seesm like a beautiful place. What's the real estate market like over there?

In regards to finance for you, have you tried talking to the banks yet or any other kind of financial institutions? That could be a good start

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November 22, 2011 - 1:26 pm

Hi,Seems like you have a pretty interesting business model there.

Have you tried contacting any of these potential JVs up to see if they'd be interested?
That would be a good first step. Try and have a meeting with them and give them a knockout presentation.

Then create a contract and sign it with them, and that should be it.
I think those would be your basic steps…
What kind of info are you looking for anyway?

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November 22, 2011 - 1:19 pm

Hey Catalyst,

Yeah, I'd be wary of people claiming to be "mentors" when they're really not. That's why if any of you are keen to get a mentor, make sure that you actually ack them what kind of experience they have, and maybe even SHOW you proof of that experience.

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November 21, 2011 - 9:10 am

Hey John,
Great advice for home security!
Since this thread is in the Overseas Deals thread, I'd just like to highlight the importance of securing your IPs especially if they are overseas where you may not easily visit it on a regular basis.

Alarm systems are of course the best course of action. There's different kinds, including security cameras, automated lighting, and even just simply adding bright or more lights to your home and turning them on at night can help.