You said –

If we are paying the agent $5000 – $10000 to sell our house, then we expect them to be the ones doing the research and telling us what’s happening.

I disagree. You need to do your research. Its you who decides on what price to set. You need to work with the agent. I too work full time but on weekends I spoke to the agent and had…[Read more]

I too am not an agent. I am not saying reduce the price. All I am saying – you need to support the price in todays market – how does your property compare to other properties for sale.

Have a meeting with the agent and show him whats on the market now in your area and compare them to your property. How do they match up price and feature wise.…[Read more]

Agree. We dont need septics ripping off aussies – we have our own aussies doing it and the money stays in the country.

In my view – houses sell themselves. Agents really do nothing.

If a person wants to buy a PPOR or an investment property they look at all the agents in the area and see what they have to offer.

They then look at the properties in more detail and see what they get for their money.

If your property is not overpriced then you should have at least…[Read more]

Are you sure you have set a realistic market/selling price?

Dont forget you wont achieve the same prices as 6 months ago!!!

Stuart Said –

“We did a study – no fixed rate borrower has been better off in the last 10 years (compared 3 and 5 year rates to variable over the last 10 years). The longer the terms the more the fixed rate borrower ended up paying. ”

I can understand that but in that time interest rates have tended downwards. My first loan 8 yrs ago was around…[Read more]

My only hard story in my 8 years of property investing was my brothers former girlfriend skipping out and not paying any rent for about 4 weeks.

And just tenants being a little late in paying rent. But my property manager has always collected outstanding rent. These properties are in Frankston.

My properties in Mentone – never had a…[Read more]

Guilty – healthy addiction – I dont know!!!!!!

Its one of my favourite topics/issues so I enjoy parting with what I have learnt.

And I have learnt alot too.

Having just sold a property – if the agent does not give your offer to the vendor – bad luck.

If you really want the property offer a price acceptable to agent. The agent is acting for the vendor not purchaser.

I remember about 6 yrs ago, when selling my PPOR at auction the agent came to me with an offer of $40k below our price. I was fuming…[Read more]

I recently sold an investment property. On the subject of selling I have read all the stuff on http://www.jenman.com.au

I have never used a Jenman agent and dont intend to in the future, but some of the issues he raises has made me more aware of what to ask agents.

It may even be worth reading his Book – Dont sign anything.

The key to selling a…[Read more]

The question for me is – What capital growth do you expect from the property?

If you expect some capital growth then you can forgo some of the cash flow – well thats how I look at things. A good long term tenant is better than a few hundred a year in rent.

If your after the cash flow, then I would keep the tenant, use a property manager and…[Read more]

My grey area for me is that at 7.69% for 15 yrs – sounds too good for me when you consider we are at levels close to 30 year lows. So surely its got to be good.

As for 15 yrs being too far out – you can still transfer the loan to a different property. ie. the security.

What do you mortgage brokers think?

I prefer a security system to grilles. As I write this the main story on the radio news was a house fire and fortunately no one was injured.

But I too hate grilles for this reason.

My understanding of vacant possession is where you are buying a property and there is currently a tenant in there.

As there is no lease on settlement you can take the property, if you wish, with vacant possession.
ie. the tenant has no lease and can be out of the place by settlement.

Real estate agents like selling a place with vacant possession…[Read more]

Maybe one day. But wrapping is not for me at this stage of my life.

I saw him in Shallow Hal too. Can he make you look at fat chicks as if they are skinny chicks?

Yeah I read it. I always look at this web site.

I doubt Robert G. Allen really cares. He is only here to take the seminar money and run. And Jenman just wants a bit more advertising and grand standing.

Any other thoughts on this? It sounds pretty good to me. 15yrs fixed at 7.69%.

As interest pmts are my main expense, having the certainty would be good.

The question I would ask myself is – What will the $620k country properties be worth in 5-7 yrs? What would the city property be worth in 5-7 yrs?

That would determine how much cash you need for the properties. With the city property all you will need is the monthly pmts. With the country properties growth will be limited so you will need more…[Read more]

“So when these opportunities arise, do you think you’ll increase your gearing or stay at about the same as now?”

Yes I will. But I need to consider how much I can support these properties. In then past I never saved a deposit, I just used the equity in the previous property.

Now that prices have stablised and I dont expect too much growth in…[Read more]