I remember going to Teachers College for 3 years and then learning to teach when I got a teaching position.

Hi AJ,Not really familiar with the western parts of Sydney. Sound like you are really committed to your plan. I suggest you have a good discussion with a good broker before advancing your plans much further.

Hi AJ,I must admit I am not one for buying cheap.Budget limitations of that magnitude can really restrict your investment options which may compromise what you end up doing.Eg If you end up buying in smaller country communities with limited positive property attributes. If you look at larger centres or cities you could be confined to serviced…[Read more]

Hi AJ,You guys have come a long way since your earlier post about 'investment companies' and you have given your whole situation plnety of thought at a macro level.While your asset level is terrific your combined incomes aren't that flash at this stage. Limited income will mean limited borrowing capacity so if you really want to get into property…[Read more]

Just noticed your second post after I hit publish.

Hi Aj,I must admit your comment about 'joint names' creating borrowing issues caught me by surprise. I am not a broker but if you are both working using both incomes will enhance, rather than diminish, your borrowing capacity (unless there is some fancy trick I am not aware of).   Hmmmmm, Where to start?Need more information. Not that I am…[Read more]

Michael makes an excellent point – research the company not the advertising medium.You may get some better feedback by identifying the company who is conducting the seminar.

Variable or fixed really comes down to personal financial circumstances.Is your sister someone who will fret about the direction interest rates may take? Is she someone with minimal spare cash after meeting all of her finaicial and living commitments?If the answer to either question is yes – a fixed rate may bemost suited. The key is not to fix…[Read more]

Variable or fixed really comes down to personal financial circumstances.Is your sister someone who will fret about the direction interest rates may take? Is she someone with minimal spare cash after meeting all of her finaicial and living commitments?If the answer to either question is yes – a fixed rate may bemost suited. The key is not to fix…[Read more]

Hi Aj,Definately not a financial planner – their training does not expose themselves to direct property investments. There are a couple of organisations around that are endeavouring to get some accreditation & recognitiono of property investment advisors. Check out their websites PIPA and PIAA. In a nutshell both organisations are endeavouring to…[Read more]

Hi AJ,You will still need to work out what you are trying to achieve so you can properly brief your buyers agent otherwise you may end up with a property that doesn't necessarily meet your investment needs. 

Hi Mezma,No harm in advertising that pets will be considered. Can only add to your pool of potential tenants.

Hi AJ,Adding further to some of the comments aboveIf you do choose to use a 'company' make sure their philosophy and strategies suit your needs and that you are not made to fit their strategy.

Hi Sams,In WA you'll pay stamp duty on $460K if it is a true off the plan property. If it is house and land you'll pay full stamp duty on the land value if you purchase the land and then build a house on it.Hope this helps.

Check your soil profile.Some parts of WA have a signifciant underlay of clay and require some additional foundation work.There has also been a tendency in some parts of WA to do infill projects over long established swamps and lakes. PS. If you have a floor plan in mind make sure the plans will fit on your chosen block. On a similar note will the…[Read more]

Hi Booge,If you are borroing at 70% then the loan will be $140K. You will need a funds to complete of $70K being $60K deposit and $10K costs. If you are purchasing the property with an 80% lend your loan will be 80% of $200K = $160K. Funds to complete of $40K deposit and approximately $10K costs will be required.If you are borrowing at 90% your…[Read more]

At the risk of being howled down some things are more important than property.For what it is worth I would enjoy the birth of your first child (congrats by the way) and let things settle down before revisiting the question of buying again or not.By all means convert your existign IP loan to interest only but definitely take time and smell the roses.

Hi Dave,Just as I stop looking at technology when I have bought the latest gadget for fear of seeing something better/cheaper I stop tracking prices in the suburbs I have sold property in. Can't do anything about it so need to move on. For me the key issue is to go back to your original plans with this property and then see if the property has…[Read more]

Hi Patrick,Agree with Terry – need to look beyond cashflow and look at the fundamentals of the area too.Being end of year and start of a new year chances are the property will not be snapped up overnight. Sometimes you need to pause before rushing into something half prepared.

Been following the to lets in the weekend papers and they have contracted over the years to such an extent that the current to let in  the papers are as short as I have seen for many years. Newspapers, in my mind, are a more accurate indicator as there are costs involved with each insertion and therefore ads will be pulled as soon as property is…[Read more]