What about taking an option to purchase the property – may be hard to do.

When entering contracts you must consider what will happen if things go wrong. You can set up a corporate trustee for your unit trust and this company will enter the contract. If you cannot settle for whatever reason then the company will be sued, not you. But many vendors insist on personal guarantees from directors – some don't so it may depend on how smart your vendor is. If there is a special condition for a personal guarantee you can try to have it removed too. If this is no possible then make sure there is only 1 director of the company.

Getting bank finance is different. They will insist on guarantees from all directors of the trustee company and probably all unit holders of the trust. You must also generally get the lender's permission to change control of the company or to transfer units in the trust. Failure to do this may be a breach of the mortgage conditons which could result in the lender asking you to repay the loan in 30 days or so.

Limited recourse is where the lender will only take the security property and not ask for personal guarantees. This is very hard to secure, especially for smaller loans. Even Allan Bond had to give personal guarantees.

I would also suggest a IO loan with offset. Best to avoid a LOC – these should only be used to access equity.

It may also be best to avoid paying a 20% deposit as this will mean less cash for your non deductible PPOR loan down the track.

You could borrow 20% off family, then wait for capital growth and pay them back by borrowing against the equity in the property. This way you will have 100 or 105% finance based on the original purchase price and still be able to avoid LMI and maximise deductions down the track.

What do you mean by 'equitable access'?

Firstly just because you call them contractors doesn't necessarily mean they are contractors. You need to get some legal advice on this and then conisder how you are going to contract with them. Terms of the contract and contracting entity etc.Contract or employment agreement with each

Interesting about the vacant houses. My mother in law owns a terrace in Osaka and its been vacant for 7 years. 10min from Osaka station. MIL’s sister also owns a terrace next door vacant for 10 years +. I ask them why not renovated and lease out and they say it would cost to much for the little return. Not worth it.

However, in general I think things are beginning to pick up in Japan. The main problem was a lack of confidence I think. But now people are starting to see some economic hope again. This may lead to move spending and this would stimulate the economy…

Setting up a discretionary trust is only a small part of an asset protection strategy.

you have family members on different incomes then there are a few strategies you could use to save tax.

You will generally be taxed on your percentage ownership unless there is some other trust in place.

What is the purpose in wanting to do this and is the other party a trust or an individual?

Oh, maybe it is your trust as tenants in common with another person or trustee?

When you say a 50% share, do you mean there are units issued? Or are you talking generally? because beneficiaries cannot have shares in a discretionray trust – otherwise it would not be discretionary.

If the trust is a unit trust this opens up a range of opportunites for you.