It is no real problem. Just keep them separate – stand alone securities.

If you go down your properties are going to be taken not matter who they are with.

I think good strategy.
By living in it initially you should be able to keep it CGT exempt too. But i wouldn't pay it down. I would get an IO loan with a 100% offset and pay all monies into the offset. you will save the same interest, but have flexibility if your circumstances change and it remains rented out while you purchase another to live in.

RAMS have reduced their rates by 1%
http://www.lendingcentral.com/2009/02/05/rams-passes-on-the-full-1-pa-rate-cut-to-customers/

What state does your post refer to?

ANZ dropped their LVRs in Dec last year – but you LVR is only 74%, so it won't affect you? You might as well move banks to the cheapest rate if you have to apply again. Make sure the savings are more than the costs of moving.

god

depends on what you mean by 'partner'. If spouse, married or defacto, then i believe you can only count one PPOR between you.

You probably need both. There are a lot of legal ramifications – corporations law with various offences for companies, trust law – fiduciary obligations of trustees etc. You would also need tax advice too as different options will result in different tax paid. And everyone's situation is different so you would need individual advice. But it would cost you a fortune to use both.  You need an tax advisor who is switched on with the legal side or a lawyer who knows tax.

Hi Drabs

You could set up a trust and use that to purchase the remaining 50%. This would provide some asset protection.

If in NSW, about
$7500 for stamp duty
$1200 for solicitors (buy and sell)
xxx – loan fees

If your parents are not at the pension stage, then that is great. But you also have to consider other things such as what if they were to go bankrupt – your house could be taken.

There is nothing you can do other that to ride it out or pay the break fee.

So I would sit down and work out how much interest you are going to save if you were to go variable now. Work out any tax deductions for the break cost and see how long it would take you to recoup your money – then determine if you want to take the risk of breaking.