You would need approval of the body corporate before proceeding, if only to notify other tenants/owners of the noise and possible disruption during building. If there were objections, I really am not sure where you stand but can't see how anyone could stop the work if it does not infringe on their property or affect the building's structural…[Read more]

Paying interest only means not just leaves more money to buy more IPs but also more money to pay down non-deductible debt on your PPOR. Can't see the benefit off paying down principal on an IP when you still have outstanding debt on your PPOR.

Has anyone ever used Industry Fund Financial Planning (IFFP), which offers commission free financial advice for industry super fund members?We, too, are wondering whether to fork out the $3000 we've been quoted.thanks,Carlin

The most effective gauge for the property market here in SA is The Advertiser, the local rag that derives a huge chunk of its revenue from real estate advertising. When it starts publishing "get rich, buy property now" articles you can be sure the market's either flattened or dropping. Last Monday's article in the money section really takes the…[Read more]

Still no answer to my previous post re-ratio mentors to participants? Anyone able to help?

Apologies if this has already been answered, but what is the ratio of mentors to participants? An approximate figure would do.thanks.

Just been using commercialrealestate.com.au Seeking retail outlet.thanks

I've been following properties in the 'to rent' columns in The Advertiser and some are appearing week after week. I've spoken with a few agents who've admitted their property managers have had to decrease rents quite substantially on some properties to attract tenants, especially in outlying suburbs.

Adelaide has most definitely already "taken off" and is now flattening. Vacancy rates are increasing in some areas, auction clearance rates are decreasing, yields in most areas (for anyone who bought recently) are pitiful. Check for vested interests if someone's telling you there's going to be another big growth spurt because that sure isn't the…[Read more]

Envy's not an attractive emotion, but I admit to feeling a bit envious as I read some people's upbringing stories. How lucky to be raised by parents who understand investment.I'm the youngest of 7, born to very loving but financially unsavvy school teacher parents. They were very careful with their money – they had to be, with so many kids and…[Read more]

I think you're VERY wise to consider the house's orientation. I've seen some lovely houses with nice big open family rooms at the back, but the windows face west. Stinking hot in summer, very expensive to keep cool.The right orientation does the right thing by the environment and your wallet. We built with orientation in mind and – combined with…[Read more]

There seem to be so many people using this site who think contrarian investing is oh-so-clever. Funny thing is that EVERYONE now knows (and I mean those Mum and Dad investors too) to buy in gloom and sell (if you wish) in boom. It's hardly rocket science.The irony is, though, that it's because everyone knows this age-old adage that house prices…[Read more]

Hi Everyone,I appreciate your responses. Yes, we will fax a letter to rescind the contract.The two things that really irk us are – 1 – we were never given the chance to counter offer and – 2 – since emailing I have spoken directly with the vendors who told me they were put off our contract by one of our conditions. This fact was never relayed to…[Read more]

Hi Scott lotsa mates – Thanks for all that info. The house is being let with the shop. Yes, have had estimates from local property managers of expected weekly rent return. I have a copy of SA's RTA.By "4-5% of the gross" do you mean 4-5% of the gross rental income? I will have to check where the bond needs to be lodged.I agree it would be better…[Read more]

Hi James,I would get quotes for the work and look to reduce the price. Most vendors don't want to be bothered with repairs unless they're minor.Good luckCarlin

Thanks Scott no mates. With excellent advice like that you must have plenty of mates.We're on to it! If you think of anything else, please let me know. We've a small window of opportunity here but it won't last long.cheers, and happy Chrismas,Carlin

Hi everyone,We're looking at a potentially good commercial property deal at present. We're new to commercial investing, but one thing we know we need to do is to checkout the property's history. We have a fair idea of what this means, but would really appreciate someone spelling out just what they do – ie: what specific information do you seek and…[Read more]

Surely we can get "an intimate knowledge of how each lender calculates our servicing capacity" without having to go to a broker. Just a case of giving lenders (that we're considering going with) the relevent figures  ie: incomings, outgoings, existing debt. And we want to know the maximum we can borrow – we don't want to go to them with a spec…[Read more]

Hi there,Our problem with brokers is that every broker just has a limited stable of lenders. We want to explore more widely, without the vested interest in directing us to a certain lender. As far as variables go, not sure what exactly you're after. Without divulging our personal financial details on a public forum, we're dual income, no kids,…[Read more]

Went to an auction in leafy inner Adelaide suburb last week. Place advertised for 400+, sold for 492. Went to look at another property after auction and had chat with agent there about what had happened. He said "don't these people (paying high prices for places in Adelaide) read The Advertiser?". Said that the paper's full of places to rent,…[Read more]