I’m with the other forumites – 10% is way over the mark. Others here offer excellent services for a lot less than that – and they are established personalities on the site.[8D]

Castle Dreamer

(You’ll never go wrong if you never go anywhere – have a go!”

I reckon that being comfortable is the best place to be – not complacent and lazy – but able to make choices. Life is very much about other things besides money – so money is not my goal – it is simply a tool to help me into a place where I can do the things I want to to help others – aid work, volunteer work. If one of my friends needed the…[Read more]

I dream of retiring – but I think if I stopped I would drop dead from boredom. My ideal is to pay off the home loan (five year plan) and then trot about the globe doing aid work – with a pad to come back to and somewhere for the dogs to live while I am away!!!!
Life’s tough, but I hope to live it a little longer!!![:p]

Castle Dreamer

(You’ll…[Read more]

Ha, that’s good!!!!

Castle Dreamer

(You’ll never go wrong if you never go anywhere – have a go!”

I got my first property when I was 20 years old. Good for you having a go. Maybe you could get a family member or someone to gift you the 8K you would need to add to your 2k savings – that would give you 10k + 7K FHOG and you could go with your plan for a lo doc loan. Just make sure you do your homework on where to buy that house and that you…[Read more]

Somewhat funny, but maybe a bit tacky!!!! – anyone out there actually suffer property damage from the storms, many forumites own property in the storm areas

Besides, you forgot to mention sheepskin boots and new jandals for all of those poor Kiwis (I know, I have kiwi in me too!!) who lost their stuff!!!

I’m like Mini, plan on four this year – one a quarter or four in one hit on my trip away, and then rest and cross my fingers I did the right thing!!!!

Hi there,
yep – sold up half my investments and paid down the home mortgage – extended the LOC on home, and am ready to go again!!

Westan, you better watch out – you live there now, and are certainly in the ball park to catch Kiwitis and a penchant for sheep. Keep one eye open at all times!!!!
Cheers (big smile – after all I am half Kiwi too!!!!!)

Hi all, another question I need general advice for: If I purchase in NZ I know I do a tax return over there for the year.

When I bring the money home to NZ, does my accountant simply take the income figure for the NZ tax return and (accounting for the tax credits) add it to my Oz income?
If that is the case, then you would need better returns…[Read more]

Can someone please clarify how the capital gains tax thing works if you sell in NZ for a profit and bring the money home to Oz?

Hi there,

I claim dial up and broadband – no difference to my accountant.

All my claims PRIOR to the purchase of the IP have been considered capital costs because I didn’t actually have an IP to claim against. My accountant will claim these against any capital gain when I sell.

All internet access now I have two IPs is tax deductible.…[Read more]

the last house I helped a friend buy was an open listing – I didn’t gel with the agents listing the house, so I went to an agent i get along with and had her negotiate with the vendor – alternatively I could have gone direct to the vendor myself and negotiated, but my friend had a tricky contract offer, and I didn’t trust myself to negotiate it…[Read more]

Hi there,
I can’t give you an agent in Ipswich itself, however I do know of a good rental manager who has just taken a job in Forest Lake, and will consider managing Ipswich property. My email is lrobbie@netspace.net.au. drop me an email to remind me and I will chase up where she got to for you.
LR

I spent 10yrs of my child/teen life living in Logan. Bought my first house in Hillcrest for $95K new house and land package – it did nothing for 9 years. Last year could have purchased it for 120K – this year selling for the 170K range. You decide … rents back then were 150/wk as against around 180/wk now ….
I now live in Chelmer – also…[Read more]

HI Marty, I have dealt with termites in four properties in Brisbane to date. I recommend Sentinel Pest Control Services over any other I have used – they have always been timely, informative, and give an excellent written report on all of their work. All of their work is guaranteed to meet the Australian Standards. Sentinel will also offer…[Read more]

Am 30 yo. Bought first house at age 20, 2wks after getting first full time job.
L

Hi all, great to see that so many people are into property in spare time and making it work – I hope!!
I am a Paramedic in Queensland, working in the Education Centre.
Bought my first property age 20, 11 years ago, and have been playing in realestate on and off since then. Currently hold two IPs and PPOR in Brisbane. Great area to have been…[Read more]