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  • Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi Pinky,

    Thanks for your honest and direct thoughts.

    I agree that it can be confusing… but at the end of the day I always come back to this:

    PropertyInvesting.com was created for people to share information that assists is more accurate and profitable property investing.

    In short – it’s a tool to help people with questions.

    We welcome a diverse range of opinions and thoughts, however I for one am (was?) becoming worried that posts were becoming more aggressive and far less constructive in the criticism.

    Yes, it’s your right to be negative, but it’s our right to protect the integrity of the forum and take action to ‘keep people on track’ in terms of gently guiding discussion back to investing matters in such a way that we can all learn.

    Certainly, I’ve received a lot of feedback from veteran members that they shared my concerns and want to see a return to prior days of helpful guidance upon which the success of this forum is based.

    If you’re having a bad day then do the best you can to get through it, but don’t take it out on the forum.

    Once again, remember that this is an investing forum and not a public slanging arena.

    I’ll jealously protect what many have worked hard to build here by adopting fair but firm moderation when needed.

    And the bottom line is those that don’t like it… tough.

    Have a lovely day.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi Arty,

    It’s important to remember that this is a moderated forum.

    To keep order and respect in these forums I’ve asked several senior and respected community members to join with me to moderate the posts and where necessary edit, lock or delete any contribution that is not in line with our rules, or, where it is deemed not to be helpful to the spirit of the community.

    This is certainly not to say that we are seeking to control what is said… diverse opinions are fine and indeed welcome, but just not to the extent that they become irrelevant or degrade others.

    ‘The Soap Box’ has been created for people to voice general opinions. Yet again, all posts will be read and where needed moderated to ensure they comply with our rules.

    We do this to protect the integrity of the site and to ensure it is used for the purposes intended in its creation – to serve as a source of useful pro-active information.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

    P.S. Re: the post you mentioned, it has been unlocked since being transferred from the General Area.

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    lol

    No house hunting until after exames… what a classic [:)]!

    People with the existing product will still be able to print off the templates – people with the new product will have to photocopy them.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    When I made the offer it was my intention to end the offer first thing Friday morning.

    To this extent the wording was clear… the earlybird offer was available for those ordering up until midnight on the 2nd, but we would have held this open until start of work Friday.

    Unfortunately, with time pressures and a hard disk failure, we only got around to changing it on late on Friday afternoon, so some gained an extra bonus.

    Sorry if you were caught up in any confusion.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi Muppet,

    Let’s leave it in the general area for the time being. When I transfer the forums to the new site I’ll add more categories.

    Just want to tidy all this up – it’s getting a little out of hand.

    Bye,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Thanks for your post – it would be good if more people could post the numbers on potential deals so we can analyse them and learn.

    I’d add the following comments:

    1. Just because the property is currently rnted does npot mean that it is rented to a good tenant. It’s important that you seek independent confirmation that the tenant is indeed a future (rather than a historical) long-term tenant by looking at how much of the lease is left to go, rather than how much of the lease has expired.

    Simply ask to see the lease and also ask the tenant how long they intend to stay in the property.

    2. It’s not what you can see that will hurt you the most. You have done a good job of checking out the numbers, but the gaps are that you need to be more specific rather than just have a $4k budget.

    The two points raised re: vacancy and also mngt fees are well made and will decrease your cocr.

    However, what I’d also like to see you do is ensure that the $200 p/week is a fair market rent (ie. not inflated). You can do this by seeing what the other apartments rent for or by calling local agents and asking them.

    3. Finance… it might be wise to make your offer ‘subject to finance’ just in case the bank will lend you <80%.

    4. Think about your exit strategy too. At what point (c/flow and cap. gains) will you sell? Furthermore, also have a plan for how you’ll use the weekly cashflow.

    OK – that should keep you going for a while.

    Generally, the deal looks interesting and deserves more attention.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Let’s move back to Apr 1999 and I put a post on creonline.com about the 11 sec. rule.

    A received a host of replies telling me it was a aste of time.

    Good thing I didn’t listen to them… who knows where I’ll be now.

    11 sec solution deals do exist… we bought one in Ballarat just last week. The problem is that people let their bias and ignorance get in the way of seeking out problems.

    Sure, 11 sec pretty houses aren’t falling off trees like ripe apples, but great deals exist in every market.

    Of more importance is having an investing plan and regularly looking for deals in a variety using a variety of tactics, including pounding the pavements yourself.

    As for small towns… rememeber, it’s about cashflow first and capital gains second. Good tenants live everywhere.

    Bye,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    I recommend you do bi-annual property inspections to ensure your property is functioning as expected.

    Here’s a thought… even if you self manage, perhaps you could pay a local rental manager a once off fee to complete a condition report for you or to report back with any problems.

    Remember that time is precious – and if you pat $150 to save 3 hrs of travel + the time on the ground doing the inspection… it sounds like value to me.

    On that note, it would pay to actually go to the area at least once a year to get a feel for any changes to the community/area in terms of price, infrastructure etc.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Presumably we are talking about Henry Kaye here?

    I noticed that he is featured in a front page story about the ACCC and ASIC doing investigations.

    You know, a lot can (and has) been said about Henry Kaye. But I think it is a very long shot to suggest that he is responsible for the property bubble (as put forward in The Age).

    Remember that all Kaye is doing is selling his system for investing. I don’t know whether it works or not – that is a question for the individual investor to consider.

    From personal experience though, I think that he hard sold the notion of positive gearing when in fact the properties were badly negatively geared. Still, five minutes of financial due diligence would have brought that glaring problem to the surface.

    Interesting quote from H. Kaye though:

    quote:


    I believe in karma. Everything that happens to me in a negative way I believe is deserved.”


    Let’s see what happens and how much of it is deserved… one thing is for certain… a trial by media is anything but fair or appropriate.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi Doug,

    Thanks for your post.

    quote:


    1) Is the Deposit that is used to purchase an Investment Property tax deductible?


    No – it forms part of the cost of your property.

    quote:


    2) Is the amount of cahflow received that goes into paying off the loan on an IP also tax-deductible, or is it purely the amount that is used to pay off the interest rate component?


    Your cashflow will have a portion of capital (ie. loan repayment, capital repairs) and a portion of income (profit). Only the income portion is taxable – the capital portion is adjusted in terms of any capital gains tax when you sell.

    This is a little complicated… perhaps a 1/2 hr chat with any properly qualified tax adviser would be very helpful and worth the $100 or so dollars.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    There is some good advice here. Ultimately you need to trade the passive:active nature of yourself with the passive:active nature of your rental manager.

    The problem that I see investors making is that they think buying the property is the hard part. Any chop can sign a contract, the real skill kicks in when you try to achieve above market rentsor secure a good tenant looking for a place to call home.

    Sadly, many investors leave that tricky task to a rental manager and this rental manager is rarely if ever ‘qualified’ by the investor before getting the business. Instead the % commission is the driving force.

    Well, my aunt says that if you pay peanuts then you should expect to attract monkeys.

    That’s why I recommend that, unles syou trust your rental manager, keeping a hand in qualifying your tenants is a wise thing to do.

    As such, you need to get to know them, but never get caught up in personal issues other than sending Xmas and birthday cards.

    Afterall, you are a landlord, not a life coach.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi Erika,

    I guess sucking up never hurt… but in this case it won’t do you much good unfortunately.

    Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far.

    My reason for making the post was just to put some balance back in the forum. It seems to me that too many people were focusing on why they can do it and coming to the conclusion that it must be because of some other factor other than themselves.

    For example, I recently received an e-mail saying “how can I do this when I work 5 days a week and have 2 kids to look after?”

    My response is that you’ll need to make a change to effect a change.

    Sadly most people want to be told that you can do it all with no sacrifice and minimal effort without serious challenges.

    Nope – that doesn’t doesn’t work. Successful people work damn hard to get the result and talk of being lucky or fortunate is only nonsense that other people say to justify why that can’t or shouldn’t have a go.

    Well, I’ll get off my soap box now or else risk being negative like the people who I criticise.

    I’ll leave you with this thought… I firmly believe anyone can be a successful property investor as the knowledge and techniques are certainly outlined a lot better than when I got started.

    However, while the knowledge is better, the circumstances are perhaps more trying – more debt, more risk the market will change… generally a different set of circumstances.

    Yet, as ‘The B’ once said to me (and a mighty insight it was)… the market will never be perfect or without risk. Start at the shallow end of the investing, but don’t be afraid of sticking your toe in for fear that you’ll drown.

    Good luck to all and see you on the forums.

    Bye,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    He’s a lawyer and probably more expensive than the average conveyancing clerk, but all our NSW deals are done via the offices of Tony Cordato.

    Ph: (02) 9290-2773

    Tell him I sent you as I am trying to get a free lunch out of him [:)]

    Bye,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Steve to the rescue!

    Still, here… just about to upload a free bonus chapter from the book re: mitigating investment risk.

    I come to the forums many times a day… it’s just that I’m also trying to get the Wrap Library completed too!

    Thanks for caring!

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Here is my response to Terry Ryder’s articles which I have submitted to Neil Jenman (at his invitation) for publication on his site:

    >>>

    Thanks for the opportunity to comment on Terry Ryder’s articles as published on your website.

    I thank Terry for his comments, as I feel his heart is trying to protect those that might be disadvantaged by (1) the wrap investment technique and (2) involvement with the Today Tonight offer.

    I began investing in May 1999, and since then have achieved great success using various real estate techniques. To a large extent, I have tried to share my knowledge and experience with others in the form of a free newsletter, running seminars, hosting a website, and, more recently, writing a book.

    In no way do I profess to have all the answers, nor do I claim to have any supernatural ability. Yet, in some way I do feel empowered to share my experience and to try and help other people free themselves from the need to work.

    Terry makes many claims in his articles, and knowing what I know, some of them are simply inaccurate while others are nothing short of defamatory. It’s not my intention to list these issues, individually refute them, or in any way retaliate by questioning Terry’s integrity in the manner that he has questioned mine.

    Ultimately the facts, which speak for themselves, need to be separated from the opinions, which can be clouded by bias.

    To this extent I draw your attention to just one paragraph from Terry’s second article:

    quote:


    “He (McKnight) has challenged me with this question: Do I know anybody who has been ripped off by him? The answer is: No, I don’t.”


    Enough said.

    There is a way to honourably make money using real estate and it involves creating win-win deals. Wraps can be done in a way where all parties stand to gain and I have much personal experience in constructing deals which result in this outcome.

    However, sadly, not all investors adopt a win-win philosophy and instead prey on the truly disadvantaged and / or break the law. These people need to be fully and completely exposed and brought to account, which is why it is both good and encouraging that the various State authorities are investigating those who offer vendor’s finance. Only in this way can those with integrity be distinguished from those who are in it for a quick buck.

    Surely it is a gross generalisation and horribly ignorant to conclude that all investors who profit from wraps are immoral and terrible citizens.

    I constantly challenge myself with always adopting a position of high moral integrity. I hope in my heart of hearts that my motives are not based on greed. I believe I can have a profound and positive impact on people’s lives, which is why I continue to look for opportunities to help.

    I urge you to let the facts speak, and for me to be judged by my accomplishments and not by one journalist’s opinion.

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
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    Hi,

    This article was brought to my attention last night. I immediately called Terry to offer him the professional courtesy of getting the facts right before making claims that might be wrong (something he did not offer me).

    We had a long chat and I left it that he was going to conduct further research before either standing by his claims or else issuing a retraction.

    As I have not yet heard back from Terry, I am going to give him the benefit of forming a response before passing further comment.

    All I can say is that, knowing what I know, Terry’s article has many factual inaccuracies and is based more on opinion than on evidence. He has added up one and one and decided that it must equal five.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
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    Hi,

    It would pay to check this with the State Revenue Office, but my understanding is:

    1) All you need is an intention that you will live in it. To this extent there is a substance over form approach to the grant. Before you get too creative, we’re talking $7k here and, to point out the obvious, defrauding the Commonwealth is a crime.

    If you only live in it for a short time then you might have a hard time explaining how it was your PP of R.

    2) Probably the things that you have mentioned will do the trick. At the end of the day though, you will be making a declaration on the form that it actually is your home and as such it always pays to be 100% honest.

    Cheers,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
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    Hi,

    All good points and action is being taken to correct this.

    Thanks for your concern.

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Just clarifying here…

    We are moving from Snitz forums (on a asp platform) to new forum software (on a php platform).

    What all this means is that the PI.com tech heads get to drink lots of coffee at weird hours while we sleep. In the end we will all hopefully benefit from a faster and much better website.

    It shouldn’t be too much longer. A matter of days rather than weeks, hopefully even this weekend.

    Regards,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

    Profile photo of Steve McKnightSteve McKnight
    Keymaster
    @stevemcknight
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 1,763

    Hi,

    Thanks for having the courage to make your first post! Welcome to our community and I hope that we are all able to learn from your (life and investing) experience in the future.

    I think you raise an excellent point about fear, and it’s this issue that I’d like to pass a comment on.

    To me, investing success is about finding a system that you feel works and then having the faith to follow it.

    This ‘faith’ can be seriously eroded by fear. In order to overcome fear you need to look at what you are really afraid of. What is it about the loss of money that causes you to worry? It’s probably a self preservation issue (ie. not having enough money to see you out in retirement)… but is there anything more?

    This is the first step to trying to work through a plan that sees you risking only what you feel you can afford to lose.

    On another matter… there will always be a reason why things will go wrong. But what’s important is to focus on reasons why things will work, not fail!

    In summary:

    quote:


    I am a little worried about the risks associated with it…


    Be specific about the risks and then work out plans to mitigate the impact. Risk cannot be eliminated, only reduced.

    quote:


    could you tell me whether you consider me at a high risk because of my age and incapacity to earn money by working


    Your age will make things tougher, but on the other side of things your experience should more than make up for that.

    At the other end of the scale I have met plenty of young people who want to get started but see their youth counting against them.

    Do you see it? These are reasons not to get started and barriers to our success.

    Delyse… I can’t guarantee that it will be easy. In fact, I’m certain that it won’t be. But if you want it bad enough and you are sensible in your approach (ie. mitigate risks), then it really is possible!

    Best wishes,

    Steve McKnight

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

    Steve McKnight | PropertyInvesting.com Pty Ltd | CEO
    https://www.propertyinvesting.com

    Success comes from doing things differently

Viewing 20 posts - 1,181 through 1,200 (of 1,712 total)