[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

October 5, 2007 - 1:19 pm

Hi AO,
Borrowing is only one side of the coin. Should your friend even consider buying if there is a high risk of property value falling in the next 2-3 years? I suggest your friend gets another independent valuation (and this time for market value rather than for lending because the valuation for lending is usually more conservative). I know this will cost bit more but its better to do your homework before buying. This may save your friend from buying a potential lemon. Also, as suggested by Marc, your friend should do more research on the local areas – maybe buy sales reports, etc.
Hope this helps.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

October 5, 2007 - 11:16 am

Hi Mahanga IV,
First of all, welcome to the site and congratulations on starting your investment journey. Reading books to get knowledge is great but the question is how are you going to use that knowledge. I believe in results and you get results by taking action. Leaving your money in the on call account at 8% is under-uilisation of your funds. I can offer you more than twice that return but thats not the point.
I think turning properties in 6 months is quite optimistic especially when you are just starting. I don't know enough about the NZ market to give any advise but my suggestions are:
* Try to look for a motivated seller to negotiate a discount deal.
* May be you should consider buying in Australia. You may want to use the services of a buyers agency.

Hope this helps.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

October 5, 2007 - 10:48 am

Hi tuggerwaugh,
Other than the comments already mentioned above, I suggest you should consider changing your loan to Interest Only. It does not stop you from making excess repayments but not force you to pay principal.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

October 5, 2007 - 1:38 am

G'day Tim,
What is VFA and what does it do?
Is there a website that I can go to for more information? Thanks

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 17, 2007 - 12:04 pm

Try Nancy Keep from Nancy Keep & Associates
http://www.nancykeep.com.au
03 9544 9577
I have used her for more than 6 years and she is excellent with properties. She is a property investor herself.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 9, 2007 - 11:07 am

I had the same problem as well

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 4, 2007 - 11:31 am

Hi kokjhoonwong ,
Instead of cross collateralising, why don't you take a line fo credit on your existing properties and use that equity for cash  purchase of the new property at the caravan park?

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 4, 2007 - 7:31 am

happened to me a couple of times as well.
Not happy, Jan.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 3, 2007 - 12:16 pm

Hi Redhat,
You can call up a few local agents and get a feel of vacancy rates in the area.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

September 3, 2007 - 12:13 pm

Hi lostie,
It might be prudent to take insurance after you go unconditional on the purchase.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 26, 2007 - 2:47 am

Hi wealth4life.com
I have looked at some of his reports and they seem to make sense.
However, it would be interesting to see if anyone has analysed his old reports (say 3-5 years back) and compared the predictions then with actual results.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 23, 2007 - 1:11 pm

I believe a well installed, good condition spa (for free) will definitely add more than $1000 in value and therefore it is a worthwhile exercise for you to install it. That said, I don't think a brand new $15,000 spa adds $15,000 to the house and therefore don't think its a great value add.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 21, 2007 - 12:56 pm

Hi swifteagle,
You can avoid cross-collateralising by using the equity in one house as a cash deposit for buying the second house. For example, you have a PPoR valued at $500k with $250 owing. This means you have $250k equity in your PPoR. When you want to buy an IP, you can draw the equity in your PPoR (say $100k) and use that for 10% deposit and closing expenses for your new property. This would increase the owing on your PPoR to $350k but there is no cross-collateralising.

Hope this helps.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 20, 2007 - 11:57 am

Hi Etty,
I agree with Don. You can use the equity from your WA properties to fund the deposits for your new IPs in QLD.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 19, 2007 - 7:33 am

There are few things you should consider:
* Firstly, renting is the cheapest accommodation. Consider renting for living and use this property as an investment immediately.
* What is the profile of tenants in that area? Are they individuals, couples or young families. That will probably give you an indication of whether 1 BR or 2 BR will be in higher demaind.
* What is the size of the 1 BR unit. If its too small (I think <50 sqm), the lenders may only lend 65-70%.

Personally, I would go for a 2 BR unit as they have higher demand. If there is a renovation opportunity thats even better. Opportunity for capital gain quicker.
Hope this helps.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 19, 2007 - 7:27 am

Increase in the interest rate is not a reason to legitimately increase the rent especially if the lease is only 2 weeks old. However, you could look at adding some value to the property/tenancy (airconditioning, providing a TV, furniture, etc) and increase the rent to cover the cost of new feature plus recover some interest rate increase.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 18, 2007 - 6:08 am

You can try drakehomes.com.au for removal homes, or
halleyhomes.com.au for kit homes

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

August 18, 2007 - 4:44 am

Hi Daffodil,
You can get more information from Real Estate Buyers' Agents of Australia website
http://www.rebaa.com.au/
Hope this helps

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

June 10, 2007 - 10:55 pm

Hi jtw,
I always considered this to be a risky investment option but your comments have provided more input into my decision making.

[propertypowerMember@propertypowerJoin Date: 2006Post Count: 312]

June 9, 2007 - 8:39 am

Try Nancy Keep (www.nancykeep.com.au)
She is a property investor herself. I've had her as my accountant for many years and she can suggest some innvovative ways of minimising your tax as well.