Are the 2 smaller ones in the same block?How much is the BC  on both situations 2 v 1 property.Having 2 gives you the option to sell one if needed and still have an IP.

A lot will depend on the size of each unit or room.You could go with an elevated house and build 1 or 2 self contained units underneath.  The elevated could have entrances at both ends of the house and one central room that separates the 2 halves of the top house.  Theoretically upstairs would be a 4br, 2bath rooms, 2 toilets and 2 kitchens but e…[Read more]

clubhonda,1 & 2 were just personal thoughts on why properties overall may not drop as far as some are suggesting.  There appears to be a fair bit of movement in the bottom end of the market especially in the NT with properties still being snapped up.  Have been listening for 2 years about how the NT market has peaked yet it was reported that an o…[Read more]

Sounds like you have made your mind up about what to do.What is the size of the pool LxWxD1-D2? 1) Pool currently filled with water. Does have a history of blackspot. Pool guy says the water reading were off the scale so he couldn't get a number. (Has he heard of pool shock?  Throw it in and wait over night.  Take reading in morning.  Seriously th…[Read more]

Having been through a rather complex pool saga which is well documented on this site I will put in my 2 cents worth.(1) Is the pool currently filled with water?  Check the water level and this should give you idea if it is leaking but allow for natural evaporation.  Is it a complete concrete pool or partly fibreglass?  Depending on the size you co…[Read more]

K,I see you are using Uncle Mick.  That's what my wife calls him.  Will pm you.

Linar,We have some of the same areas covered.Who does your PM or is it spread amongst the various RE's?  Mine is spread.Do you think you may have sold a little early or have you gone on to bigger and better investments?

Hooker,And a Merry Christmas to you too.Must be getting close to the New Year there.

Harb,Thanks.  Christmas isn't really celebrated in Japan and just another working day for most.  Definitely makes me feel home sick for OZ.

If, as some say, people start selling their houses because of no work then does this necessarily mean prices will drop considerably?  (1) There are investors waiting in the wings for bargains to come up and it is quite possible that these investors will bid against each other to secure these bargains and keep the prices from dropping too far.  (…[Read more]

The contracts should have a specific date for settlement not just 14 days and if 14 days should state if business days.  This does get a bit tricky as business days is seen as M-F but recently is including Saturday.

I think Richard has hit the nail on the head.Check out how long the lease is for and find out what the previous lease was for.  You might be able to get enough of a return to cover the drop back to normal rents in 2-3 years if the current tenant finishes and doesn't renew.

Thanks Michael.Not a lot of Christmas cheers on this forum.

tugger,Good to see you at least got something.Linear,Definitely agree most areas and some are worse than others.What area was your unit in before?

Turned 2K (86) borrowed into $1.8 million (08) gross value or 1 million net.  Not fast but a nice portfolio for me.Not from property.(1) Foreign exchangeTransferred 50K to Japan when OZ was at 105 and then back to OZ when it dropped to high 60 a little while later.(2) Cars30K all up getting a car to OZ that sold for 95K. (3) Best of all.$10 on a…[Read more]

Devo,Well put.My plan is mainly B&H but the time frame on holding depends on current economic situation.It also depends on the type of property as some are ear marked to be passed on to heirs and others to sell when there value reaches that of what is owed on better properties to make those properties debt free.  A unit previously purchased for…[Read more]

If everything is declared up front then maybe okay.

Just be careful what area of Darwin the investment property is in.  Many undesirable tenants and neighbors.  Also a big difference in  professionalism of R/E's and PM's.  Choose wisely.

Also to follow up on those foreclosure sites in Japan as mentioned previously.  The figure quoted is the lowest figure that will be accepted but prices generally go 3-10X higher.  Depending on who is doing the auction it is a sealed envelope bid.  Basically this means you write your amount on a piece of paper and put it in to an envelope.  The…[Read more]

Both require different methods for renting and looking after.  Will you hand everything over to a PM or do it your self?  Most PM don't like dealing with student accommodation.  You will also have more costs associated with student accommodation in regards to furniture, facilities, utensils, fire alarms, cleaning etc and this will eat into your 72…[Read more]