Hi there
I once got some details from the agent concerning a property which on its face looked cash flow positive.
There tended to be a lot of costs involved and given the limits on who could use the property – that is you couldn’t use it yourself – or anyone else under 55 – the limitations would mean growth would be limited.
You would really have…[Read more]

HI there RP Brown

I am not really a local girl – but we have been posted here twice now – husband works at the Oakey Air base.

As for Strata Title Management – I do know one of the manager’s via playing Volleyball with her. I was also very impressed with how they keep their records when undertaking a body corporate search for one of the…[Read more]

Start by talking to Council re whether the property can be strata titled.
Also talk to your surveyor for an estimate of timeframe and costs.
Your solicitor can assist when it is time to lodge documents (the plans and the body corporate forms required) and if you want to have the property managed by a strata title manager, the biggest in Toowoomba…[Read more]

HI there
can’t say from personal experience what the property managers are like – as the property we have in Brisbane is subject to a management rights arrangement – but Tricity realty advertise quite a lot of CBD properties and their property managers charge 6%

thanks everyone for your posts – the positive vibes have had some effect – or maybe the property manager finally got it that we were getting p…off
the builder is finally speaking to us again – and has some proposals to remedy concreting problems
our neighbour – who has been disputing the proposed fencing quotes for the last 16 months – has…[Read more]

Thanks Jenny
just out of interest – when you have a changeover of tenants – how do you normally advertise? do you use the website allhomes? or do you use any agents at that stage to vett tenants for you.
Also where do you normally source your tradesmen? yellow pages or word of mouth?

Hi there
I think you may find it is more possible to delay capital gains by rollover into a similar investment in the US.
It is also possible to do in Australia – but in fairly limited situations for example, if you lose an investment property in a bushfire and receive a payout from your insurer – strictly speaking you have disposed of an asset -…[Read more]

Your friend needs to speak to a solicitor who can discuss with her how the property is held – whether jointly – or as a tenant in common – and how this will affect the mortgage liability. This situation is somewhat similar to what happens in family law situations. Either the property is sold – each party is paid out – or the property is…[Read more]

There seems to be a common theme in a lot of the posts – how do I start?
The first step is always to plan – you can’t have a successful business without a plan – and it should be no different in the investment field.
A good financial planner should help to identify the client’s goals – the purchase of the first home – when is a good time to have…[Read more]

Hi there
I happen to know the area you are speaking about being posted to the area around 1999 – we ended up in DHA accommodation at Tanilba Bay

you may like to read the following article
http://hotspotting.com.au/index.php?act=viewArticle&productId=66

I happen to agree with the article that DHA leasebacks are not a good investment – I think you…[Read more]

Hi there Marc
I don’t like having things drag on either and have moved accountants when we don’t get the expected service.
I particularly do not like lump sum bills and always get the accountant to itemise what they do for the money they are claiming.
Is it worth talking to your Accountant and expressing your dissatisfaction? If you don’t get a…[Read more]

Hi there
why not have a look what is available for the particular property you are buying – the actual premium depends upon whether it is a strata title arrangement or home, the postcode of the area, the type of locks on doors, windows etc, the size of the home, the nature of the fittings – it is also cheaper to purchase online
for…[Read more]

Hi there Richard
could I just get you to clarify your concerns with respect to a line of credit over an investment property

Hi there
I can’t comment upon the particular insurer that you are looking at – but I can say that I have made claims on my landlord’s insurance.
The first instance was as a result of the Canberra bushfires where we lost 2 properties and also more recently when there was accidental damage to one of our properties in Toowoomba. The particular…[Read more]

Hi there
each state has slightly different lease provisions but in QLD they are as follows

7 Costs may apply to early ending of fixed term
agreement – s 96(1A)
(1) This clause applies if –
(a) this agreement is a fixed term agreement; and
(b) the tenant terminates it before the term ends in a way not
permitted under the Act.
(2) The tenant mu…[Read more]

HI there
we have one property we self manage as a holiday letting and one that is with a management rights arrangement.
The rental is usually a lot more than a permanent rental but the costs are also a lot more. You have to pay for cleaning, replacements of items – there is also a lot of wear and tear on furniture. You also can’t guarantee from…[Read more]

the standard residential tenancy agreements says as follows
17 Water service charges – ss 90(1A) and 91A
(1) The tenant must pay a water service charge for water supplied to
the premises, including water fit for human consumption delivered
to the premises by vehicle, if –
(a) this agreement states for item11.2 the tenant must pay for
water supp…[Read more]

Hi there
I note that we once lived in a rental property in Mount Waverley in Melbourne which was very close to the train line that goes out to Glen Waverley.
After a while the train noise becomes a given and just becomes background noise. I don’t believe we were offered any rent reduction because we were close to the train line – we paid market…[Read more]

Hi there
given the location of the property – I would say it is student accommodation because Drayton and Darling Heights are in the vicinity of the University of Southern Queensland
We too have properties in Drayton and Toowoomba – which are cashflow positive for us.
Could I just put on a rider for anyone looking to invest in Toowoomba just at…[Read more]

HI there
with payment of stamp duty – the time limit doesn’t normally start until your contract is unconditional. So if you made your contract subject to finance or some other condition (which was to be satisfied say 14 days after the contract), you will have the opportunity to stamp documents between settlement and the new time period. Your…[Read more]