I have recently come across a co called Memphis Investment Properties. They offer a full service. Their prices are on their web site. They do deal with international clients. They seem to have multiple repeat clients. Memphis is the headquarters for AutoZone and FedEx. Memphis has the US's third-largest railroad hub and the world's busiest air cargo hub so is a hub for distribution. So plenty of good jobs for renters. There are no state property taxes. They offer a 50% asset based loan on rental properties and is available to foreign based borrowers. I think there are representatives in Australia.

I am not a fan of -ve gearing. I've always needed an income and need to look at properties that have +ve cashflow.  It is not a sin to pay tax. It means you have made money. I assume your ultimate aim is to replace your working income with passive income. You eventually need to pay tax. Another popular thing to do that is choose a property that will give you a lump sum and and possibly an income as well. There is plenty of info on this website. You look for bigger blocks of land that can be subdived/ sell the spare block/ build a second home and have 2 incomes/ buy flats. There's heaps of different things. But you are right -ve geared properties means you have to make that money with your wages before you can eat and do other things.

I used to live in Townsville. The Northern Beaches side of Townsville is racing ahead. After many years of talk there are new shops being built out that way. Smaller take-away complex, a Coles anchored new shopping centre, plus new shops (Woolworths) at the North Shore devolopment on the eastern side of the main Bruce Highway, which also has a McDonalds. and the existing Derragan shops (woolworths).  I think Oakland Heights is on the western side of the Bruce Highway going north. The Stockland North Shore development will be an extermely large development. Already has new council swimming pool built. There is a new catholic primary school and plans for Townsville Grammar School to build out there by 2015. There is a police station at Deeragun/Jensen just up the road with plans for more police from the city to move quarters out this way. There is also a primary and separte catholic high schools (St Anthonys) and a state primary and high schools all in this vicinity. Only thing it lacks is a good bus service but everyone has cars these day. There are two hotels, one at Bushland Beach and oneThe Bohle. The Queensland Nikle refinery is further up the road at Yabulu.  Ther are 2 service stations at Deeragun and another at Yabulu.  The Townsville by-pass ring road starts opposite the North Shore development and takes one over the Ross River and to the James Cook University, Hospital and the Army Lavarack's Barracks. Only takes about 20 minutes to get there. You can also choose to go to the Willows Shopping Centre this way or head towards the city and go to the Castletown Shopping Centre. I believe the Defence Housing are having more than a few houses built at North Shore. It is a much bigger subdivision than Oakdale. I hope this helps.

So what's the ROI in Gladstone? What are the rents being achieved?  I assume the investors are chasing capital growth as not much mention on rents in these posts? I imagine the cost of building in Gladstone is a lot cheaper tan Karratha. And I suppose there is more land available for development in Gladstone/Calliopie than Karratha. The Gold Coast properties have good returns. Lots of workers and students.
So what's the rents in Gladstone?

I've never been in a position to need/take advantage of negative gearing. I went for a positive geared property. If you want cash flow go to the mining towns!

Hi. We are onto our 3rd project. Thru trial & error we believe you should start with the yard first as it may take time for the plants and the lawn to grow. Other jobs that you may need to do first is an outside deck, pool fencing, painting the roof, gutters/downpipes, fencing, new garage doors, new putty in the windows, sand back facia boards, TV antena, french doors/change windows. Inside kitchens and bathrooms can be big jobs, change doors, handles, resheet any walls/ celiengs, than plaster any joins, electrician for lights/change power points, install fans & air-cons, perhaps now you can sand the floors, before you can paint you have to putty/seal up all holes and gaps. Last jobs include painting, window treatments, screens, driveways/paths respray. You should try to attend open houses/auctions in your suburb if you are thinking of re-selling to get a feel for the market. There's a big difference between real estate agents as to what they think you property can sell for.