Isn’t it funny how we all have opinions, as a resident of Logan for many years, and a community worker there, I would have said that crestmead was a better area than Marsden, opinions from us forumites are great, but don’t forget to do your own research SMARTMONEY

Browns plains, boronia heights, crestmead, hillcrest ( I have had property in these areas, lived in these areas, and been quite happy – parents live in boronia heights)

I live in Brisbane now, so am not specifically on the ground, but I do know that there are other forumites who live in this area – are you guys out there to give SMARTMONEY an opinion?

Have you thought about Ipswich, rail line direct to brisvegas. Springfield, new city being built? Interested in North of Brisbane – D Bay for example?

What about Inala – yeah I know it gets slagged, but it about the only place you can get a tidy home under 220 within 15ks of the CBD.

Food for thought, good luck on home hunting SMARTMONEY.

Cheers
CD[rolleyesanim]

CastleDreamer

Hey tankbusterboy,

I was like you, but I woke up and bought in Keperra and Brighton, and managed to catch the last of the waves!!!!! The sale of my Keperra house is now financing deposits for cf+ properties! Cool.

What made you think about Redcliffe and Mitchelton? Are you applying the same research to today’s market? Is there some area you have a gut feel for right now that you should be investigating? If the gut feel is the same as your Mitchy, redcliffe feel, then maybe you are onto something. Sounds like you were onto the same ideas I was. PM me if you like and we can chat Brisvegas stuff.
Cheers
CD

CastleDreamer

Look on the internet at the westinghouse and sunbeam sites. Have a look for a basic stove – do you want a timer, glass front door? whatever – pick the basic idea of what you want, contact your agent and ask them to go and buy one, have it delivered (sometimes the store you buy the stove from will take the old one away for nothing). Agent can organise the stove and the electrician. Use email with your agent – no probs!!!
Cheers
CD

CastleDreamer

[/quote] If something is showing a good return in this market – there must be some risk associated with it. Be it location, type of property or tenants etc.[/quote]

Yack, I disagree, capital growth has been an important part of my portfolio, but that does not mean that good return necessarily equals risk. You could buy a property in a “capital growth” area, based on research and stuff, but no guarantees. At least cf+ has some up front advantages, you know the building is sound, you know the rental being paid, you know how much you are going to spend. That’s not a bad thing or a risky thing, for a new investor or someone with different outlook to you, it is simply a different path to success.
[smiling]

New Zealand may well come off the boil growth wise (and I don’t have an opinion either way), but for those purchasing o/s for cf+, the lack of booming growth is not a major issue.

CD

CastleDreamer

Hi nangunia,
you can start with the local yellow pages for the area. Ask several of the agents in the area for a list of pest and building inspectors. Don’t necessarily go with the one that the selling agent recommends!!! (said a little tongue in cheek, but I aim to keep everything separate!) Once you have a list, contact them and get quotes. I ask them to provide me with a sample report so I can evaluate them for the depth of information they cover (this doens’t necessarily mean you will get a good inspector, but its a start). I also check that they have insurance (eg I had a place inspected, and the inspector didn’t notice that a heap of the garage had been eaten by termites!!! I noticed it later – it was that obvious – the inspectors insurance should provide cover for examples such as this, so that you can seek remedy for missed issues – like half a missing garage!!)

I deal on my own behalf. Use email, fax, phone. Always try to talk with the inspector directly after the report is done, receive copy in full by email or fax/post. I am also going to ask inspector to take lots of photos in support of report and email/CDcopy them to me.

Yes, if you buy and then visit the property once a year for inspection, you should be able to claim reasonable cost/expenses for the portion of your trip that was business – not for your skiing holiday in Queenstown!!!! (obviously your accountant will best advise on this – check with them before you go!)
Cheers
CD

CastleDreamer

Hi ceec

For reputable birddogs in NZ!!! I recommend Minimogul and Westan, both members on the forum here. You can contact them by using the PM function. Both have been members here for some time, I have met or spoken with both of them, and trust them. Westan is in the south island, mini in the north.
Cheers
CD

CastleDreamer

Hi Guys,
Same as Mini,
Try the Pathfinder brand, pretty good in my opinion
Cheers

CastleDreamer

Hi Scullyman, I can’t help you directly, but I do recall several previous posts about software to manage your “millions!!!” You could try running a search using ‘software’ ‘rental software’ and similar to see what you come up with.
Cheers

CastleDreamer

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I can’t believe it. I am shocked that Australian Swimming would disqualify their own best swimmer. Isn’t that treason? to do something harmful to your country??????

AAAAHHHHHH – not fair.

CastleDreamer

Hi Ian,
that’s what I have set up at the moment. Family trust with me as trustee and beneficiary. My accountant told me that as long as I treat the trust like a separate entity – eg it pays interest to me for the money I loan it and it recompenses me for my time/expenses spent pursuing the trust goals, then thats fine, and I will be able to decide later who to dispurse the income of the trust to – nyself or another family member

This bit added in: Saskatoon, I think you are right on your post further down – I am not the sole beneficiary, unnamed family and unborn kids are there with me as well – so that would make it legal, but to all intents and purposes, I will be the only person trust disperses to. Thanks for pointing that out.

CastleDreamer