The key to property investing by Jan Somers is – buy when you can afford it (fix rates so you know pmts) and time in the market will be rewarded.

Only you know the answer to the first comment.

My gearing is only 30% and therfore 70% equity.

I have sold a property recently and am waiting for future opportunities that will arise over the next 2-3 years.

I want yields and interest rates to start to rise a little.

I too would hold.

You should always hold property for a min of 5 years.

If your earning other income and on a hig tax rate the loss is only half.

You have to start somewhere, and I would rather have a unit in Sth Yarra that is costing me a few $100 a month than a house in Moe giving me $1000 a year.

In my opinion in the longer run you are…[Read more]

I just cut and pasted from an email a mate sent me about 18 months ago. Let me correct them.

These work –

http://www.dialanexchange.com.au
http://www.interchange-timeshare.com.au

I dont know anything about them, your thoughts appreciated.

How did the meeting go?

My only advice is to wait for yields to improve as interest rates rise. The book 0-130 is a description of someones success in a different part of the property cycle.

It cannot be replicated today. Steve is busy writing his new Book and giving seminars – not out buying another 130 properties in 3.5 yrs.

You got to be patient. I would not rush…[Read more]

I changed PM during the year and the old PM actually sent me the yearly statement. Cost me nothing, cost them a stamp but it did create some Goodwill for them.

I only moved because the new mob sponsor my local football club and I organised the sponsorship. They have both looked after me very well.

This was given to me by a friend of mine some years ago. I have not even had a look at the web sites. I sort of decided timeshare was not for me but he takes the kids on holidays a bit.

here’s the links for timeshare places. There are two companies that will display information pertaining to the…[Read more]

I met my wife while backpacking in Canada on a train. Look what happens if you speak to strangers. In the 2 and a half years I was working/travelling overseas that train was the only one packed enough that you actually spoke to a person.

We chatted for the length of the trip. She was rugged up in black and with the blond hair I was more than…[Read more]

Johhnnie

Should you not be concentrating on the next election!

I tend to agree. I just sold a property that was costing me too much on a monthly basis as I do not expect much growth over the next 3-5 yrs.

Now I am at the stage where all costs are covered by the rents ie (neutrel).

I expect we are in a cycle where interest rates will rise.…[Read more]

Teacher K

I agree – I thought the same when I first read it.

No need to duck.

cajun – please explain. I would like to hear your experiences and why you have turned your back on property investing.

How long were you doing it? Where were you doing your property investing? How much time were you spending on property?

I am sure newbies and those doing it a long time would love to hear your experiences.

As you just bought the property, regardless of whether you have tenants or not, if you do major renovations these are capital costs and cannot be deducted against your income.

But you can claim depreciation/building allowance on these costs.

I have an evapouritive cooler in our PPOR in Melbourne. Its excellent. Its about 3-4 yrs old.

I did not think we needed to have it checked regularly. Its in the upstairs roof and every time you turn it off the water tank empties and fills up when you turn it on.

Maybe I should give the cooler guy a call? What do you reckon?

Like everyone – a tenant wants value for money.

So just set the price to just below market value. If you dont get a tenant then look and see what the opposition in your area offers for the same price.

Why add all this stuff if people are not prepared to pay for it anyway.

I dont think so. Best way is to learn about the area. Get local knowledge. Then you can look at a property and generally know what it will rent for.

Dude, Where’s my Car – It up there too I reckon.

Whats my tattoo say – Dude – Sweet – Dude – Sweet – Dude – Sweet.

That guy from American Pie cracks me up. Instead of a quuer eye for the straight guy, I want to see the Stiffler version – where Stifler goes and helps people out.

I can understand agents dropping landlords. I know my property manager has told me how they really only want landlords who are prepared to offer reasonable properties.

If the property deteriates they will not manage it anymore. I would do the same if I was a property manager. Why manage something that creates more trouble than what you are…[Read more]

Inner City apartments seem to sell quickly because they are marketed well.

As for surburban, new properties people probably want a new PPOR. Some people are prepared to pay more for a new property. Its a bit like a car. No maintenace hassles and you got your weekends to yourself and any repairs covered under warranty. But in my view you are…[Read more]

I am not sure I agree with that. Prices by developers always charge market if not more so they build in their profit.

It may have been true over the past few years as you buy now off the plan and if completed in 12 months you may have some gain. But developers always include that gain in the price anyway.

Now that we are at a stage where…[Read more]