Hi,

Hey – I’m all for incentives as my wife is due to go at any moment…

But in reality, I’d be worried that this might start a welfare mentality that more kids = more money and that this may have the opposite impact to what is wanted.

I would have thought that sponsored child care would be a better idea for those what want to work but have kiddlywinks to care for. That way, those with jobs can keep them.

Not sure what the social implications of this are long-term though.

My 2 cents is that the government will do:

A. Tax into superannuation reserves to fund Medicare and public sector debt; and

B. Raise the GST so that those on pensions pay more tax, even if they are not sick.

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

My way of thinking is simply:

Only invest in things that make money!

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Yep – see:

http://www.PropertyInvesting.com/bonuschapter

Bye,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

You need to establish whether the tenant didn’t pay because s/he couldn’t, or because they did not want to.

If it’s the former and you want to retain the tenant, work with them through the financial difficulties and arrange a payment plan to catch up the arreas.

It it is the latter, organise for eviction throuhg the proper channels and seek for the bond to be claimed to offset rental arrears.

Finally, think about sacking your rental maager who, based on your post, seems to be inept both in helping you manage your investment and in staying on the tenant’s back chasing up rent owing.

I’d be asking the rental manager to share part of the loss, but I’d imagine you have little chance of having that occur.

Bye,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

Just remember that some of the best deals are the ones that are stale and no longer advertised on the internet.

Don’t make the mistake of believing all properties are advertised… they’re not!

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

Don’t fret.

I’ll try to make it to Perth in early/mid 2004.

Information will be outlined via the newsletter.

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

I echo the voices of support and wish you nothing but the best.

Still, I don’t believe taking advice from a well meaning yet ill equipped investor forum board would be as worthwhile as seeking some specific professional help – perhaps initially a community social worker or maybe even lifeline.

Having said that, the easiest option isn’t often the best option. Think through things very carefully and never make a decision such as the one you are considering in the heat of the moment (or an argument).

Sincerely,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

Well, it took Dave and I over six months to do our first few deals – and I was doing it more than part time but less than full time (let’s call it 3/4 time!).

In truth, your results can be better or worse than what I achieved based on the resources you want to allocate to getting the task done.

Best wishes,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Morning!

I’m very pleased you like the new forum categories.

Thanks for your suggestions too.

Actually, this is not the forum upgrade that I was planning. (hopefully) Soon we’ll be moving to a complete new forum software system that is more robust and has many more features.

With a site this big, it’s just a slow process that is inching forward.

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********

Hi,

I think that Wright Books put out a book about buying commercial property recently. I heard it was quite good too.

After some research at Wright Books…

quote:

---

How Investing in Commercial Property Really Works
By Martin Roth
0 701638087 Price: $34.95

Studies have also shown that commercial property investments often perform well when other asset classes are weak. Well, the stock market is at a four year low, there are fears that residential property prices may have peaked, and with a range of new investment opportunities, the spotlight has moved onto the numerous benefits of commercial property. These attractions include high yields – generally far higher than for residential property or the stock market, security of income, tax benefits and the chance of capital gain.

Best-selling finance journalist and author of Top Stocks 2003, Martin Roth has exhaustively researched this area of investment and his findings are written up in this comprehensive new book.

---

As for my tips… commercial is all about yield in comparison to tenant risk. A 10% return isn’t that hard, but you want to make sure you get a quality long-term tenant as commercial is usually harder to relet.

Watch out for GST too… it is applicable to commercial but not (as a rule) residential.

Perhaps I’ll try to cover this in an upcoming newsletter.

Cheers,

Steve McKnight

**********
Remember that success comes from doing things differently.
**********