Depending upon the state you will most likely have to honour your lease obligations ie you may not be able to sell with VP. That will mean that you will have your market restricted to investors and that you will have to be on good terms with your tenant to allow the property to be shown in the best light ie neat, tidy etc rather than a shambles.

Local newspapers/agents – if you keep track of who the selling agents are, you can contact them for the sales price post auction. Local papers may show some of the current sales as well eg record prices or all prices if you are lucky.As for the capital cities – http://www.domain.com.au  now lists each sale weekly.

Depending upon your personal situation & property investment aspirations (refer to your accountant/fin planner) but interest on your place of residence is not tax deductible – so it is usually in your interests to have at least 20% deposit to avoid mortgage insurance and to reduce interest payable.You may also consider structuring your loan with…[Read more]

I've always provided the cheques to the solicitor as they then arrange for attendance at the settlement and payment of all disbursements.

Maree, have you sought to find an alternative tenant and assign the lease yourself, afterall you will be bearing the cost associated with finding a replacement tenant (regardless of who finds the tenant) and the landlord is under no obligation to let you out or find another tenant until lease expiry? ie the managing agent probably hasn't lifted a…[Read more]

Paul D, are you referring to the use of a Put & Call Option? ie something which is quite readily available thru any conveyancer?

Just a couple of points – price and value are not the same thing ie you can buy a property which due to a number of factors you have paid a lower price however its value is intrinsically higher (eg sale between related parties, distressed sale etc). Valuers in preparing their valuation for the banks (or other clients seeking CMV) have to assess…[Read more]

Research: Footwork – visit each agent in a suburb on a Friday/Saturday to get the rent list and websearch for properties to let.

Generally speaking, an easement is made for the passing of services through or over the land eg for drainage, power. Conversely, a right of way, burdens one property and benefits the other by way of giving another party (a benefit) or right to pass over the other person's land. In your case it sounds like you may have a beneficial covenant…[Read more]

Linar, the building contracts used by most builders are industry standard contracts eg HIA, MBA or RAIA approved contracts. Amendment to these contracts other than the options provided are generally not in the interests of either party as the contracts in their approved form have been tried and tested (even if they are a bit one sided) – try to…[Read more]

Contact your state residential tenancy tribunal to discuss the matter – they will have heaps of useful information

Statutory Fees will be the same regardless of the type of property investment that you choose ie it is based on the value of the transaction. If it is a commercial/retail property you may have to pay gst on top of the sale price – seek advice in this regard.As to whether retail or residential is better – only your research will show which provides…[Read more]

There are varying opinions as to whether you can or should take out insurance on a property prior to settlement – my understanding is that since you do not have an insurable interest in the property ie you do not own or lease it, you cannot legally insure your rights to the property however if it burns down or is damaged you would have recourse on…[Read more]

There were some posts a fewmonths ago by Foundation whic should answer most of your questions.

2 ways of looking at it Kris, if the unit has a bath who have been your tenants? Users: Singles/families/males or females – each have different requirements.Families – bathtub required for bathing kidsfemales – bathtub, for pamperingMales – don't careSingles – bath = extra bed when drunk (oops)Predominantly most groups will use a…[Read more]

TM, check out the HSC website – most councils have LEPs & DCPs as PDF format for downloading. You will only need to pay if you require a hard copy from council.

Tony, consider this. Is this a property that will be snapped up by the first to view (at or around the asking price)? or is it a property that will stay on the market for weeks, months etc? If you have done your research, submit a firm offer with your terms & expiry date/time (never your best unless you know there is another buyer working on a…[Read more]

I'd agree, shop around for a lender/ whobroker is prepared to refinance both properties and give you a better deal.

It makes no difference – shop around to find the agent that you believe will do the best job on your behalf (to achieve the maximum price/shortest sales period or whatever your criteria)

Can you clarify a couple of points CDS?Option 1 – is that 4 x 5% deposits (March, June, Sept, Dec) then balance in March 09 or Dec 09 (12 months from which date)?Option 2 – Have I read it correctly? Do you pay your deposit and the balance upfront to recieve the 5% discount or do you pay the balance upon completion? The first scenario exposes you…[Read more]