Hi Allen,I wish such a program exists!  I'm afraid, hard research is the only way forward.  Each development is a case by case basis.  Where the development is is critical because every State, every council have their own fees.  Some tradies or contractors also charged by postcode, believe it or not.This is why you haven't got anyone to reply to…[Read more]

Mav86,The benchmark is the term deposit.  If you can achieve 6.5% earnings on term deposit, then the return from IP should be higher.  If not, what is the point?   Park the money in TD, and sip margarita (or guzzle coffee in my case).  For a lot of work, you should aim to be generously rewarded.Take care.Angel

Hi Harry and Lloyd,No such thing as oddball question. One of my homespun philosophy is:  "Better to ask dumb questions than be damned."  Take care.Angel

Hi Nonnie,You need to also prove a point to the vendor:  Yours is not the only house in the market.  Keep looking, you can't afford to have tunnel  vision.  Call the agent and say that you have made an offer for a similar house in the area and will buy whichever is accepted first.  The market being very soft, you'd be surprised how negotiable it b…[Read more]

Hi SpringchickenIn.Wow, you impressed me a lot.  You are a credit to your parents.I will point you in the direction of Doonside, Penrith, Mount Druitt.  Massive price corrections in the South, North  and Central coast of NSW.  Regional Australia, too.In South Australia, there are a lot of place within 15km within budget and good rental ret…[Read more]

Cuteyoungchic,Sweetheart, the motivation will return.  Nice and slow,  take it from someone who's been there and done that.Divorce is not the end of everything.  It could be the beginning of new things to come.  Everything you learned along the way can't be taken away from you.  You start with that knowledge as your foundation and build on it bric…[Read more]

Hi Catalyst,I re-read all the thread, I don't think anyone suggested that low income equates to high risk.  Everyone simply stated, truthfully, that it depends where you buy.As for me, I have investment in high end places like Avalon and Cammeray in Sydney and Tea Tree Gully in SA..  But I also have properties in Richmond NSW, Smithfield Plains a…[Read more]

Hi Kimberly,You're not alone.  I'm stuck at a cross-road, unable to decide which way to turn.  I'm pretty sure though if I don't make a decision, sooner or later, I'm bound to get run over by a truck.It's been a series of elimination.  Where I'm I at?  Well, I've eliminated the USA because there's just too much uncertainty, the AUS$ vs the US$ bei…[Read more]

Hi,If you sell the air rights, you impede your ability to later sell your block, as collective owners, to another developer.  No one would buy your block  for good money if they know they can't build anything higher than 3 levels since the air above it has been "bought."I wouldn't be doing it.Angel

Hi Kate,Here is a creative solution.  Since it is your boyfriend's house, ask him if he is willing to lend you the shortfall so you don't have to pay LMI.  Eleven thousand is a lot of money, if you can save this, it would be a boost for the next one.Discuss with him how long he can wait for the balance; the exit strategy (revalue after 12 m…[Read more]

Hi gn2011,Unfortunately an independent valuer can only give you an estimated price, and estimated rental but will not be able to tell you neighourhood, community stuff.  It is expected that you would have covered this in your research. What you are expecting from the valuer is outside of their remit, but I could be wrong.Rental estimate should…[Read more]

Hi smartgeny,You have the correct premise.   A smart lady once asked me a rhetorical question, "How many negatively geared properties can you afford to hold?"  The answer, she said, is "None."I totally agree.I'll add another, if the mortgage repayment is exactly or near what you'd have to pay in rent anyway, buy!There's no point paying $500 pw re…[Read more]

Not Asian builder, Turkish.  One of my best mate.  

Don't do it!!!! You can source your own IP.  Research, research, research.The way to stay away from high pressure sales people is to be unavailable.  If you front up to them, they have an asnwer to all your objections.  It's best to not be around to object.Take care.Angel

Hi gn2011,"I'm looking at buying an off the plan investment property, is there any point in getting an independent property valuer?  If so, any recommendation in Melbourne?"The short answer is "no."  Off the plan purchases can be very tricky to value.  No one has the crystal ball to know what a property will value at at the time of co…[Read more]

Hi Shape,Mine cost only $3,500 to build 6 years ago.  Labour and materials included.  Materials were thick pine.  Bolted to the wall.  didn't try to save on materials as the last thing I want to happen is the tenant crashing down.  The whole thing was done in a day.  Allowing for inflation, I should think this simple design will set-up back $5,00…[Read more]

Ravi,One other thing, there is something so bold and unconventional about options.  So romantic and glorious.  But the authors of these books forgot to tell you that options doesn't happen everyday.  You will make hundreds of offers before one even happens.  On top of that, these properties need to be very specific.  It can't be any prop…[Read more]

Hi Patrick,I always go to http://www.domain.com.au, click on property report.  Type in Inala, click search.  The median price for the month will appear,  then you can click on demographics.I cut and paste the Inala demographics here so you have an idea what it looks like. It is important that you interpret the data carefully.  It also compared Inala vs…[Read more]

Hello,Auburn.  Close to the Sydney CBD.  15 mins on Express train.Angel

Hi Ravi,There's nothing with wrong with your parents advice.  "Both my parents are poor and have given me this belief system that life is hard work. That i am suppose to go to school, get good grades to go to Uni, secure a well paying job and work the rest of my life."Absolutely nothing wrong with it going to Uni, getting good grades, secure a…[Read more]