I dont have any rural properties, but from what I hear the key is to invest in regional towns and research population trends etc. So to sum up – make sure you know the AREA well.

Thats why I have been insular and only invest near home. I know that area and I know it will serve me well.

I would keep on the property managers back. Even if the property manager has left keep at the estate agents till your situation is rectified.

Does a lack of replies mean the bank has always won on a 5 year fixed rate?

if its $600 now. What if in 3 yrs interest rates have gone up 2% and you have not experienced any growth and the place looks a little tired and you’ve had a few tenant hassles that along the way.

Is it still worth it?

Good Question. I would love to hear responses to this. For mine its not worth the hassles if there is very little capital growth.

daaj10242
You said
<<<<Me with 10% deposit and 20% yeild.(Just showing of)>>>

No that I dont believe you.

What is the rent?
What was purchase Price?
Residential or Commercial?
What is Area (City, large town eg. Ballarat, small town or drive through town ie main st is 300m long)? (Optional)

How and when did you get that rate? Well Done

Westan. As usual you make some good points. This is now 2004 not 1997. What was attractive then is not attractive now. I have still invested in what I believe are quality properties but not so called rural cash flow properties.

I dont have much time to look and interest rates are only go one way. What does one do now? Thats what i need to decide?

yes. its good that you have started early and learnt the benefits of real estate investing. You have time on your side. Do it right so you dont get sick of it and never do it again.

Do you really think now is a good time to invest in real estate? do you really want to have properties miles away from home and have the management…[Read more]

Yeah. thats normal. they really want you to sign the contract. getting the deposit later is ok, as long as you have signed. If you had said i will sign on monday. they would have come down hard on you, they want the sale contract signed.

Thats what agents are like. They build you up to get the job of selling the property then they condition your price expectations down.
Go check out jenman.com.au

Should be some interesting reading for you. Even worth reading his book. I enjoyed it.

Westan

I did commerce with an accounting major. Now working for a US software company as a sort of systems accountant. I suppose i know enough economics to be dangerous and worry the hell out of me at times.

But i suppose it has not really helped in property investing.

I saw the property market in nthrn california in 1999 but that was…[Read more]

Yes – I agree. Everyone has a VESTED interest in something.

Even the owner of this site has a vested interest in getting people to his seminars (at $1000) eventhough the property opportunities are not there like they were in 1999 when he started.

Real estate agents need buyers – so they say now is still a good time to buy. Share Brokers and…[Read more]

Its only worth what income you can get for it.

The old risk/return scenario. What is the likelihood of achieving the council proposition or hotel option.

I doubt, unless you have a decent deposit and can support the outstanding loan with another income and security, you will not get much of a loan from the bank for this.

For the bank – this…[Read more]

Yes, you can do this if you have equity in a residential property. You can use the residential property as security and borrow at a lower rate for a longer period of time. But its mainly based on the equity you have on the residential property.

I am in the exactly same position as you except I have a little owing on the PPOR.

I have an income to support the shortfall and am satisfied that I have capital growth properties.

There is one property that I have that is a drain on cash flow and if I got rid of that my portfolio would be neutral. But this Unit is in the best street of a…[Read more]

ctl

Commecial property is very difficult to get into first up. As a newbie maybe you should focus on residnetial first. Get some equity then you can purhase commercial property. The rules are different. Better returns on commercial but not as much capital growth.

Its my understanding if settlement has not taken place and the caretaker has moved into your flat then the caretakers rent goes to the developer.

I would not worry about curtains till you’ve settled. If there are no curtains now then is the palce really in a state to be occupied.

And another thing if its a NEW unit, then I would be concerned…[Read more]

How far from Gore is it? I spent a few yrs living in the UK about 14 yrs ago doing the aussie thing in London. I lived in a house with a girl from Sydney and 6 kiwis. Mostly from down Sth Sth Island.

I have only been as far Sth as Hamilton. I was supposed to to travel down there but fate got in my way. I met my wife in Canada and stayed…[Read more]

My guess would be to do it separately. If your business fails then maybe your properties are protected from bankruptcy.