Hi

Caboolture is my back door and I have looked at it very closely. I have several problems with the above example, 1) it does not meet the “30 second solution” 2) if you are not on maximum tax it’s negatively geared – as are most 3) to salary sacrifice – you need to get the advice of a registered financial advisor (tax agents cannot give financial advise from 1st April 2004)you can reduce your gross wages by sacrificing and/or packaging(put money into super and/or pay regular bills from your gross wage). this reduces you gross wages and therefore your tax each pay
(there may be a nominal cost). WARNING at the end of the finanical year the tax department will add back any packaging except super and re caculate gross wages and your tax bill – too many have had a big tax bill at the end of the year. the same problem occurs if you claim investment property expences on a per pay basis if you are trying to making a property positively geared by including tax incentives and claiming each week instead of waiting for a return. STRONGLY NOT ADVISED. If you are in receipt of any centrelink payments you have to add on all packaging each fortnight for centrelink payment caculation (salary sacrifice into super is the only deduction centrelink will allow)

Basically if you’re not on maxium tax you will need to find a property that is positively geared before any tax incentives are included – accept as a bonus only especially in the begining. Have you read any of Steve’s books?

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Hi Benson

cann’t help you with the rent but we juggled between split and ducted for our own home quoted $8,000-15,000 for ducted (could only use in zones – only one area cool at a time) put in 4 split systems 1-4hp. that was 2 years ago and we haven’t been sorry max electricity cost $25/week all going 24/7 through the heat(which was excessive, use but husband medical condition required usage). friends put in one 5hp for open plan and saved on insulation and cleaning. we have stayed at places with ducted i/c and they haven’t coped with the heat – total waste. No one has mentioned servicing that should be done professionally at least yearly c$60/unit more for ducted- who pays?, regular maintainance weekly to monthly by who?
NUMBER ONE AND PROBABLY CHEAPEST – is your property already insulated?
there are other alternatives to a/c “breesemaster” which is basically a commerical exhaust fan in roof- worked wonderfully at inlaws place only 20-25sq didnot work with 2 in our place ?too large ?not correctly positioned when installed – installer was the “expert” and refused to listen. you might also consider whirly things in the roof which can work on power of electricity or rising hot air added advantage it keeps timbers dry to prevent rot and damage from humidity

don’t be tempted to use “interest free” on your electricity bill with out knowing more than they are prepared to let you know – SEQEB QLD add 30% to every quote before forwarding to client
If I had a complaint about our a/c would be I paid $100 extra per unit for reverse cycle, coolling alone can be set on fan or 17 – 32 degrees before changing to heat!

have you throught of planting some large native shade trees or disiduous(looses leaves in winter – never could spell) mature more expensive but cheaper in the long run may add CG from a cooler house and better street appeal or landscaping- just a though!

breakingout

Hi

natives sound good I have quiet a few and the thrive on neglect, longlife fertilizer, very occassional trim (if they grow out in the wrong place) look at what your local council is/has planted

becareful putting anything in that is “too easy” to use water,especially if it is included in the rent – one life style show said the average garden uses either 40- 60% of total water usage. as a tenant may not be as careful or conscious of there usage if they are not directly paying for it.

channel 7’s ground force had an episode on “xeriscape” gardening this week, (minimum water or rainfall only) there are supposed to be quite a few websites about it, but I haven’t had a chance to look yet- it is on i7 groundforce.

if your in brisbane buyna nursery is supposed to have tube stock for 75c – $1.00 further discounts for bulk buys – burkes backyard had an australian wide list last year may still be on his site.

enyoy your gardening regardless of the financial gain

tycoon, I was getting frustrated after weeks but participates on this forum have been helpful and positive. Keep going, do more research I am finding out more each day, get out of your comfort zone I did and I think I have found my first purchase and I am in contact with a “spotter” for another. remember its not a “get rich quick”option (although what was done by Steve is head spinning) but the process gets easier with more knowledge and perservance – annoying to keep hearing this I know! GOOD LUCK

interesting site. is there a southbank in Melboure?