Here’s the problem… back when I started investing in 1999 you could acquire positive cash flow properties with a small capital base.
For instance, buying $40k to $50k houses in Ballarat / La Trobe Valley meant that with $500k of capital and 80% financing, you could pick up 8 to 10 positive cash flow properties and pocket net cash flow of about $8k to $10k per month.
As you know though, prices have increased substantially, and in excess of rent increases.
For a while it was very hard to buy positive cash flow at all (when interest rates were >7%), but as interest rates have fallen (and with them interest costs), positive cash flow property opportunities have re-emerged, but at a higher price point.
So, unless you have significant capital (now $1m+), buying incremental positive cash flow residential property can take a long time.
That’s why I recommend a new approach, which as I explained in ‘From 0 To Financial Freedom’, broadly follows this path:
1. In the first instance, concentrate on value add residential property to build your capital base
2. Supplement your income with an income accelerator
3. Once you hit your required capital base, migrate out of residential into commercial property where there are higher yields.
If you’d like to know more then pick up a copy of the book from the store. From memory it is less than $20.
I think a common goal of all investors is to make money, but few ever really stop to think ‘how’, ‘when’, and ‘why’.
So let me ask some questions, with your answers then providing guidance on what direction is best for you in respect to the property and strategy to adopt:
1. What profit do you want: income or growth (pick one)?
2. How will this profit be made (market or investor driven)?
3. How active do you want to be with your investing? Specifically, how many hours a week can you allocate?
4. How would you rate your risk tolerance: low, medium or high?
5. What time frame do you expect your profit to be made in?
Have a go at answering those points and I will reply back with further thoughts, time permitting.
1. You should pick an area that you have an interest in, that you can afford to buy in, where there is a market for your end product, and where the planning laws are suitable for the strategy you hope to execute. Good deals exist everywhere, provided you can solve them in a cost effective manner using skill and expertise.
2. My understanding is that you need to own the property first, but that you can sell the proposed land parcel before a new title has been issued on the condition it is issued. Check with a lawyer in your area though as different jurisdictions have different requirements.
3. As for an example, grab a hold of the revised edition of From 0 To 130 (book) as I walk through a sub-division I did in it.
Equity can be defined as the difference between a property’s value and the amount of debt carried against it. Alternatively, it can be defined as the difference between current market value and carrying cost.
I think in this case you are asking how can I manufacture an increase in value by splitting one land parcel into two or more sub-parcels (literally sub-dividing). This is certainly possible and should be the goal of every investor pursuing this strategy.
The key here is that the sum of the parts needs to be greater than then whole (plus transaction costs).
Some areas are better than others for this sort of strategy. Typically those areas where smaller land sizes are not seen as a disadvantage deliver good profits, or where larger land holdings are too expensive for the average buyer but where smaller land parcels are more affordable.
Just be careful of transaction costs, time for planning permits (and interest costs while holding), GST and sub-division traps (like setbacks, easements, cross overs, access to utilities, etc).
Of course, you need to also consider what can be done with the land once sub-divided. That is, what sort of dwelling can be built on it, and whether that dwelling will be appealing for the target market you plan to sell to.
Oh, and a final tip… in most jurisdictions you don’t have to wait for the sub-division to go through before you sell. In other words, you can normally sell with a clause subject to the sub-division being granted. Be sure to check with a lawyer in your area first though.
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The problem you’re going to have is that in the current market, just about every valuer would value the property based on what you paid, as opposed to a higher value.
The exceptions are if you can find a lender to lend on an ‘as if complete’ basis – namely what the property might be worth once the renos were done.
This used to be possible pre GFC, but I don’t know anymore. Might be a struggle.
Other options could be:
Use a money / JV partner who can stump up the cash;
Get the vendor to carry back part of the loan, and use the ‘carry back’ to finance the reno;
Organize a lowish deposit with early access and complete the renos before you close.
Where would one invest right now in Australia to get the best BANG for the BUCK?
Depends what you’re looking for. If it was generic growth I think Sydney or Brisbane is better value than Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide right now. Of course, things will change over time.
1. How does that work, do I get to claim that back every year?
As has been mentioned, it is the interest on the loan, rather than the loan itself, that is tax deductible. Principal repayments are not tax deductions.
2. How much would I get to claim back on $450,000 (my current income is very low only 30k)
None of the $450k is tax deductible as mentioned above.
On a sidebar issue, be careful not to have tax issues (ie. the tail) wag the property dog.
Your investment should meet your strategic needs in respect to delivering your desired profit outcome first and foremost (within your parameters for time, money, skill and risk tolerance). Tax is important, but it is not the prime investment consideration.
I’m not sure if LMI is tax deductible, or whether it has to be added to the cost base or amortised as a borrowing cost over five years. I suspect it can be amortised, but you should get a tax opinion on it.
Regards,
– Steve
This reply was modified 11 years, 8 months ago by Steve McKnight.