Be very careful about these developments in Japan.Quite a few investors have been burnt.The early stages when theses areas first went off were quite good.Investing in Japan is a totally different to just about anywhere else and the same rules of CGG and RA don't apply.Many OZ investors have gone in blind expecting CGG and RA and then find that is…[Read more]

9 out of 10 times best to avoid CC but if it is the only way to get a loan or refinance then an option worth considering.One up side is less documentation at tax time.  Also can be considerable  easier to keep track of one loan and interest payments etc.  But there are also downsides as previously mentioned.  You can always change the CC later to…[Read more]

I've previously included rent rises after 3 months in contracts as the first 3 months was considered a honey moon period.

Don,There have been some comments of 6% around March and 4-5% by mid next year.  Xmas spending might hold the key to the economy and what may happen after that.  Richard,What term is the 6.99% and is this pre or post 1% rate cut?

M888,Agree with you 100%.  6 post from the same person and each one is just spruiking.

There I was mentioning about two .5 rate cuts a few days ago and now they come out with predictions of maybe two lots of .75.  Definitely good news for investors who don't have a cash flow problem or home buyers.

Takashi,Have you tried visiting real estate companies or developers personally?Are you eligible for any grants or schemes that would be of benefit for them to hire you as a trainee etc?Do you have some other talent that might be of use?  For example, your name Takashi (Japanese) makes me wonder if you may speak Japanese and there are companies…[Read more]

FHOG, is better suited to the bottom end of the market and may push these properties up a bit.  Especially 1 & 2 bedroom units for first time investors or those wanting to get in to the market around the 200K range.   Might be a good time to off load a few cheapies and put the money to other investments.

Don,Excellent write up.It is possible for the RBA to do another .5 cut before xmas maybe even a second cut and help stimulate the economy further over the xmas period. 

I remember a few people telling me I was crazy for fixing my loans at 6.5% 2 years ago, when rates started to climb.Will be interesting to see what things are like just before xmas as that is the traditional spending time when people max out their credit cards etc. 

crashy,Living in both countries I follow the exchange between AUD & YEN very carefully.  Especially as I receive incomes in both currencies.  The exchange rate at one time was 58 and for 500000 yen I sent to OZ I received around $8500.   Once the currency rose to around 75 I stopped and just kept the incomes in both countries separate.  The AUD…[Read more]

Ummester,I think both our answers came across the wrong way to each other.   Often a common problem when trying to keep things brief.I can see the confusion in the two posts if we are talking about the right two as there are 3 posts.  The second post (GMH454) was more of providing an example of what can be achieved over time even when people ar…[Read more]

SCAMP,For what it is worth be careful quoting Wikipedia as a source of information unless it has been verified elsewhere as a lot of misinformation is on the site.  In regards to Japan I have had to update numerous articles on Wikipedia as the information provided has been far from the truth.  In regards to your example it doesn't support what y…[Read more]

unmester,If you only concentrate on a portion of the post then it will be easy to come out with negative comments.Reread the post and you might be able to get the gist of it.  The point I made is that there have been people saying doom and gloom for the last 20 years.  Property values have gone up and down but more ups than down.  Interest ra…[Read more]

SCAMP,Very easy to go backwards and forwards with this discussion.  The only difference between us is I'm putting actual figures and situations where at the moment yours is mainly theory.   Where are you getting these figures of 150K down to 100K down to 75K from.  Put the theory into practical figures with proof to substantiate what you are cl…[Read more]

GMH454,Did you notice I wrote one main thing, not the only thing.  Australia will always benefit from immigration and could benefit a lot more if the rules were relaxed in certain areas.  Australia is still seen as a mecca for many overseas people wanting to migrate to a new country.  Even during hard times what we experience in OZ is nothing in…[Read more]

Wobbles,Better to start at the bottom end and work upwards.Get some trades people in and get them to quote you on fixing the place up including the time it would take.This then gives you a ball park figure on what you may need to spend and how much time.Can you find tenants that would move in whilst the rent is cheap and who will also allow you to…[Read more]

Ohricey,You appear to be thinking in the right direction.Look at the bottom end of the market that is within your price range.If property values do drop then it is normally the bottom end that doesn't drop as much in real figures. I don't understand why others are mentioning this figure of 400K when it was stated in the beginning that the bottom…[Read more]

MACNATT,You have two properties.  (1)  What would be the difference if you sold the other property (if it has equity and put that towards the one you are having problems with now?   (2)  Have you checked what refinancing options are available to you?  IO, Longer term.  Anything that will help lower your payments.(3) You have identified a cash f…[Read more]

SCAMP,I think you need to use another example rather than Japan and can you validate the source of your figures as they appear to be highly over exaggerated.   If you can quote the source I can notify them and get them to correct their information.Remember : In Japan house prices have been DROPPING 70% total value over 10 years. That's what is a…[Read more]