Regarding the charges I have been informed that they won't actually charge me for all of them but if they aren't on the letter of offer they can't later charge them if they need to.  Doesn't sit well so let's hope they are trustworthy.  We cross collatoralised these properties to maximise the amount of interest that is tax deductable.  However we…[Read more]

Hello RichardWhat are the cross collatarolisation issues with Commbank? We picked them because they are a strong business.It is NSW.ThanksBoshy888

Oh wow that posted badly didn't it.  Here it is again.On the home loan:Rate lock fee $395 (Ok about this charge)Additional Security Fee $150Settlement Attendance Fee $100Security Stamp Duty $438Registration of Mortgage $180 <- Double – Why?Registration of discharge of mortgage $180 <- Double – Why?TOTAL $1443 On the investment loan:Rate lock fe…[Read more]

Hi JenRead, read, read, do lots of number crunching and don't rush in.  Try the library first then some investing or real estate magazines.  Surf the net.  I think being a bit conservative until you have some experience is the safest way to go.

Warning:  I am a newbie.  I think it depends on each person's individual situation and what the market is like where you are going to buy.  Everything I had heard from seasoned and successful investors seems to be: don't over commit or even stretch things a bit in the current economic climate.  Factor in interest rates rises and see if you can aff…[Read more]

Hello StevieDarn, I only just read your post and Thursday has passed!  I will check it out and keep an eye on it and THANK YOU for the tip.  I am located on the mid north coast of NSW and the average wage is very low.Dave L – I can understand you missing your little boy – they grow up so quickly and they are so gloriously wonderful when young.  I…[Read more]

TerryW: If the PPOR property is 5 acres or more it is subject to capital gains tax?  Is this always the case or only in specific circumstances? Thanks

Tysonboss1 wrote:
Scored 2057,….. 5.6 years on a wage 50% higher than I am paying myself now.Not to shabby since I only started working full time 7 years ago at 18, Way to go Tysonboss1!

For new investors there is a lot of conflicting information available and knowing which is the best strategy to follow is confusing. Capital gain? Cash flow positive? LOC? Live of equity down the track? Positive geared but little capital growth? To renovate or not to renovate. Buy in areas you know/don't know, risk level etc… Even the best…[Read more]

My score was negative to which is unpleasant. I also wondered the same thing as L A Aussie re the rental income. Then I did Steve's exercises in chapter 4 of his latest book and scored "Could Do Better" – an eye opener. Then listened to the book launch mpeg and the book CD and am now in a blue funk even though the info was good. You just…[Read more]

I am in the same position as yourself Mark.  Partner who doesn't believe it is possible to acheive what Steve is promoting and also thinks the price of the course is a rip off. This is a bit of a hair tearing situation to be in.  Like they say, both the mind and the parachute work best when they are OPEN.Back to the point about results.  After be…[Read more]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.  I'd love to consider offcuts but I think the bench is just too long – it is a U shaped kitchen and the breakfast bar end is a lot wider than the rest of the bench.  There are lots of tiles (and no spares) above the bench so having to remove them and replace them won't be a quick job.  The stove top is…[Read more]

In our PPOR the kitchen is vinyl wrapped and the doors have a rectangle pattern routed into them.  After 7 years they still look great and the surface has proven to be quite durable (we have three kids).  However, there are three doors where the vinyl started to lift off the timber underneath.  It wasn't on the cupboards anywhere near the st…[Read more]

Hi Brookelea,Did your brother glue the laminate on himself or get a kitchen place to do it?  I visited a kitchen showroom today and they said they cannot laminate over the top of an existing benchtop as the method they use requires them to be in the workshop.  They also said that it is  very likely that the tiles will be damaged whilst removing th…[Read more]

The silence is deafening.

Drought definitely reduces the weekly income but if you do other property maintenance as well, it helps. Newcomers cut prices too drastically and then go broke within the first 1 or 2 years because they under estimate the never ending equipment repairs, insurance and overheads. My husband did it for 10 years and did quite well during that time.…[Read more]

Hello AngelaThank you for sharing your info.  It is much appreciated –  hearing insider experience of what it is really like and what people are doing etc.

If you pay out or refinance within a specified period early,  (usually 3 – 5 years) you may be stung by having to pay a hefty fee.

Hi Anni – I didn't expect any gender specific details on the job advertisements  – its just that I am so far removed from the mining industry that I have little knowledge about the industry.  I know no-one in the industry to ask questions and searching for the relevant information just seems to bring up broad sweeping statements that aren't u…[Read more]

Hello StevieWhat kind of IT skills are required?  I take it that non police force people can be employed?  That's what sworn staff members are? How would one go about finding out further information about this?Anni – what kind of work in the mining industry can women do?  I did check out some mining sites but couldn't see anything much for wo…[Read more]