thanks for your help – i will get in touch with pmdirect.

Jenman’s success in real estate has come from honing in on people’s greatest fear – being ripped off. He has used this as a strong marketing tool, but having worked in the industry for many years, his principals are based on common sense – principals that all agents should abide by. What sets him apart from other agents? Well, he just talks more…[Read more]

Can someone explain to me how the 50% discount on CGT applies to individuals. Why is there a discount?

I suppose I should already know this! []

Thanks, Andrew.

Hi Banner,

Living in Country NSW I can tell you that there are great opportunities out there. I would think you will need to focus on certain areas and go from there (whether it be Lismore area, Wagga area etc etc). The most important thing though is to research the areas well. Having lived in Wagga for 2 years and now Albury, I can tell you…[Read more]

Thanks for your replies.

My motivation to do the diploma is really to get my real estate licence. I started working in real estate in 2000, and whilst I’m not working in the industry currently, I can see opportunities ahead which will be of most benefit if I have my licence.

I have done the “Statement of Attainment” or “Agents Rep” (last year)…[Read more]

Hi Sooshie,

Does your brother-in-law wish he never demolish the old house?? A block of land recently sold in my street after the oringal owners bought the property to build a new house on. They demolished the old house, then got quotes to build, soon realised they couldnt afford it, and the block lay untouched for years!

Have a great day.

Andrew.

Hi Pete,

You’re doing the Agent’s Rep certificate (4 modules), right? I have already done my agent’s rep in NSW, and wanting to go on to get the full diploma (which entitles you to become a licensee). If you find at any time you get stuck doing your agent’s rep course let me know, I’ll be happy to help you.

Thanks,
Andrew.

Political motivation aside, wouldnt it be a question of whether the transaction is going to benefit you in the long run, rather than saving 1% on stamp duty?!

I dont like paying stamp duty any more than the next person, but its an “evil” i can do nothing about! Only other choice is to not invest, but think of what you could be missing out on!

Hi Nessie,

I may be a little out of the loop – being in Albury – but I’d be pretty confident in saying that that price is damn high. Mind you, there are a lot of variables when looking at quotes – ie excavation required, additional structural needs etc etc.

Still, I’d be doing more shopping around if I were you.

Good luck!

The figures quoted in the article are indicative of the huge rise in building costs in recent times. Whilst I dont agree with the figures, the principal of whats happening is completely true.
I’m in the process of getting quotes to build a 4 br house and its amazing the different prices being thrown around.

I’m finding that if you go to the…[Read more]

Hi “APIM”,

Thanks for that.

I was aware that theres a risk when ‘trading’ PPOR’s regularly – ie. buy, renovate and sell in a short period of time I would open myself up to possibility of being investigated but for some reason I had in my head that I needed to have the house for a minimum of 12 months regardless (to avoid CGT).

I’m pleased to…[Read more]

Hi fullout,

Buying an investment property with a pool can become a bit of a nightmare.

From experience (I used to be a property manager), tenants get excited when they see a sparkling pool and have visions of pool parties all summer long etc etc etc. It becomes a totally different story when they realise the work that goes into looking after the…[Read more]

Thanks for that info Michael & trueblue. I’m pleased to learn that I can deduct the tax – it makes the project far more feasible.[]

As mentioned in my other post, getting an acceptable price to build is going to be the biggest challenge I feel! In case you’re confused, I’ve bought 2 blocks in the estate. One will be built on as our primary house,…[Read more]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your response.

In answer to your questions:

“It’s in Albury? Level site? Good access? Size of block? Does the garage have to be attached to the house?”

Yes the block is in Albury. The land is very flat with great access and the block size is around the 750m2 (can’t remember exactly – havent got the plan in front of…[Read more]

Thank you Soma & Chandra for your positive feedback, I appreciate it! []

Hi everyone,
Seems to me that some people invest more effort into proving something wrong, than embracing the concept and making it work for them.
Sounds like self-induced failure before you even begin!
A.

Hi Sooshie,
I saw the Today Tonight interview last night as well. Its possible for them to “hand back” money to the borrowers because its not just the initial referral commission that the brokers get paid, its also the ‘trail’ money they get for the life of the loan. Some institutions pay a small (very small) percentage of the interest paid on the…[Read more]

Hi Tom,
Theres a big difference in people’s definition of rural towns. Would you classify Albury-Wodonga, or Wagga Wagga a township? They are in fact cities offering great investment opportunities. Other rural cities in Victoria that I would look into are Wangaratta, Shepparton, Ballarat etc. My advice would be to steer well clear of ‘townships’…[Read more]

Termites are a bit of a sore spot with me at the moment because I am currently rendering my house, and uncovered (last week) an area that has been eaten away by white ants. Luckily the ants are no longer active, which means the pest inspection I had done when I bought the house 6 months ago was in fact correct! There were a few tense days where I…[Read more]

Hi Steve,
My goal for doing the diploma is to ‘open up’ my options re a career in real estate. I’ve worked in r/e for approx 3 yrs. Currently I am working in IT, and am enjoying the break from the usual carry-on of a property management position.
Essentially, having a licence will broaded my options, but I dont have any immediate plans of going…[Read more]