Hi allI can only assume that the federal Labour government in their infinite wisdom believe that other buyers will step in to fill the void as the first home buyers inevitably slow their buying after the FHOG boost is halved, and then halted.  This was always a short term measure to put a floor under the sub-500K properties, and I'm going to…[Read more]

Hi againI'm happy to retract my "pay down the loan" idea and agree with Terry on the offset account.  It's always the better option to ensure your access to the money in future.  I've gotta stop posting after midnight – my brain turns into a pumpkin! Andrew

Hi guysThe simple answer is yes.  Yes they could fall a lot further.I saw Harry Dent speak recently.  He's an american economist who's world renowned, predicted the bull market of the 2000s, and the subsequent storm we're still in at the moment.  Anyway, he predicted that Australian Real Estate would fall around 40% from now down to around the le…[Read more]

Hi guysThis is a fascinating post from my point of view for a number of reasons.  Firstly, as someone who does this stuff all the time, it's great for me to see exactly what goes through a buyer's head before signing on the dotted line.  Secondly, I'm a little alarmed that some people are giving advice on a forum devoted to creative techniques w…[Read more]

Hello helloI must admit I see far too many people scared of "wasting money" on mortgage insurance.  I've seen people absolutely refuse to pay out $3000 in mortgage insurance and therefore save for another three years to get over that magic 20% deposit line.  Chances are very good that in three years time, prices are going to go up more than the $…[Read more]

Ahhh, I remember when I was planning on retiring by 35….  at that time I was 25 and making around 50 grand a year and living quite comfortably on it.These days I'm 32 and flat out living on $250 000! lol.  So step one, make sure your tastes don't increase as fast as your means do!  My recommendation – don't get married!! (Trina, if you're rea…[Read more]

Hey nateWhen you say "duplex block", make sure you aren't confusing dual occupancy with the ability to subdivide – they are two very different things.  There's nothing wrong with doing either of them, but it's not something I'd jump into for my first deal.  But don't let what I would do stop you – just be aware of everything before jumping in w…[Read more]

Hi SteveThat's not a bad track… although next time you ask a question you should start a new topic! The problem with buying a rural property is capital growth.  The idea is you buy your first place, wait until it increase in value, then refinance to unlock the equity and use that a deposit on the next place.  I hope that makes sense for y…[Read more]

Hi everyone… forgive this rambling – I realise it's not logically structured at all! The first house I ever bought was advertised as "Offers above 128K".  Who offers above the 128K in a balanced or soft market??We offered 120K and got it for 122K.  This little situation of yours is interesting though.  I believe it's always a great idea to ap…[Read more]

Hi all….I live and invest in Ipswich myself, and will certainly consider some buy and holds out here should anything become available that I like.  The council website has plans on it about where all the old mines are, and that can be quite helpful.  There have been some horror stories about houses just plain breaking in half, so if you're g…[Read more]

I live and do some investing in Ipswich QLD, where ALL the houses are falling down!  But hey, people have to live somewhere!What I normally find is that a house with 12 stumps that is 60 years old has problems with three stumps.  The stumping guys ALWAYS tell me I need to replace all the stumps when only a quarter of them are a problem.  About 20…[Read more]

Hi ThereI, and a lot of other property investors, are of the belief that scarcity of land is what drives property values up.  I live in Ipswich and I MAY invest out as far as Toowoomba if I get a good enough deal, but not any further out than that.  There is A LOT of free space on the map out in Dalby.  IF you are looking for capital growth, th…[Read more]

Hi pinwheelWhether or not you decide to sell it at a loss really depends on what you would do with the money if you did sell?  Also, what is it renting for at the moment?  Are the units strata titled?  Could you strata title or renovate them to increase value?  The only reason I would EVER sell in a market such as this, is if I thought I could mak…[Read more]

Hey HonamFirstly, welcome to the world of property investing!!Ok, let's go through this step by step….60K equity – right!  Ok, good start so far!   However, it must be noted here that if in fact your current PPR would be valued at 300K is this market by a conservative bank, that you effectively have an 80% LVR (If I say anything that doesn't m…[Read more]