You could transfer the title to your name. Not all states offer stamp duty exemptions though. It would be as if you are buying her property, so there would possibly be CGT payable as it is an investment, though it may be exempt for the period it was her PPOR. If you borrow to buy this property the funds should be deductible and the money released to your wife could be gifted to you and onto your home loan.

Yes many banks, most probably, can lend to Aussie's working overseas. I have found St George to be one of the best for this, and think they can lend up to 95% from memory – maybe even 100% if you own other property.

Harry

Unit trusts offer no asset protection. The units are property which can be seized by creditors if the unit holder is sued. They also offer no tax savings as the profit of the trust must be distributed in accordance with % unit ownership. Therefore, some people have their units owned by a discretionary trust to get around these 2 issues.

I think it also depends on where you are buying properties. Different states have different rules. It is very painful in NSW now to hold property in a trust. But land tax is deductible and there are many other benefits of a trust  and the other tax benefits may still mean you are paying less tax overall.

Charlie

Don't forget you need to make a profit too!!

Hi Pickle.

You don't have much left on your loan, but you should stop paying it down – change to interest only. This is because you will be able to claim the interest on this loan as a deduction when you start to rent it out – won't be much, but everything helps. You can then use the money you would have used on the current home to purchase the new home and have a lower loan on that – which won't be deductible.

You can use the equity in your current home to assist you into the new one. There are 2 ways:
1) use your existing home as additional security for the new one
2) borrow a bit more on the existing home and use this as deposit for the next one.

2 is preferable as you don't have to use the same bank, it is less risky if you default, and less problems if you decide to sell one. Make sure you have a new split too because only the existing loan will be deductible and you don't want to mix business and pleasure in the same loan.

Banks will take into account the rent you can get from your existing one (usually 80%) in addition to your incomes.

I don't think you need to be licenced to give advice on property. But it doesn't sound like you are giving advice anyway.

I beleive you can claim all expenses just as you would with any investment property.
Updating a bathroom before it is rented probably wil not entitle you to claim anything while it is not rented. But, depending on what your do, you may be able to claim more depreciation.
3. it may be better to wait for the bathroom. Why give the tenants a new bathroom that you cannot enjoy. Wait till you get back and have a nice new bathroom for yourself.
You can still claim this house as your main resident while absent and avoid CGT completely if you move back in within 6 years. Check with your accountant before doing anything, just in case.

1. yes
2. no – depends though on who you use
3. accountant

Other things to think about:
a) trusts often have to pay much more land tax
b) Losses cannot be offset against your personal income

Hi

Can you get loans if you are a non resident and not working in Malaysia?