Hi Dale, thankyou for your question. Dean is right, property taxes can take a huge bite out of an investor’s returns. So how do I get around it? Simple. I avoid residential property and only do commercial real estate (larger apartment buildings, retail, office industrial etc). That’s because commercial real estate is sold NET of property taxes,…[Read more]

Hi Ricky, so I live in the US, but it just so happens I’m back in Australia during this period- like I am every Christmas and new year. Always nice to visit friends and family at home. While I agree the money is in larger properties (because of scale) and money can be made from flips, I prefer a projects with a cashflow component.

Incidentally,…[Read more]

Hi Engelo, sorry, have we met? Were we meant to meet up sometime? :)
Are you Zach’s friend?

Reed! I didn’t know you visit these forums. Everyone- Reed Goossens is a genuine top bloke!

We’ve gone to the driving range together, we saw the Magnificent 7 together. Good guy.

Check out his podcast: Investing In The U.S. – An Aussie’s Guide to U.S. Real Estate

@Caesar, the only I’d say would be such a post might run you afoul of the SEC. I see from your website that you’re soliciting funds and promising a return. You are therefore issuing a security- and assuming Americans can see this post and your website, you will come under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Again, I don’t…[Read more]

@Caesar, the only I’d say would be such a post might run you afoul of the SEC. I see from your website that you’re soliciting funds and promising a return. You are therefore issuing a security- and assuming Americans can see this post and your website, you will come under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Again, I don’t…[Read more]

@Sydney99- Hi Raj, by business plan I refer to implementing your specific strategy to get the asset to achieve the financial outcomes you want it to. Put another way, how you’re gonna add value.

As an example- In my last deal the business plan was to rehab 1/3 units in the next year and increase rents 9%. The other part of the equation was to…[Read more]

@Sydney99- wow, that’s alot of questions. I’ll do my best. But I must say, your questions are very transactional in nature, which is a little too granular for me. I’ve got attorneys that handle the transactional side of things. My job is to make sure the deal underwrites, and then implementing the business plan. If you have questions of that…[Read more]

@Sitbon– I agree with everything Nigel said. Regarding question (3) – Trulia and citydata are ok solutions for the data you’re looking for that are free. However I use mainly use Costar & Yardi Matrix for such info. Both sites are behind fairly pricey paywalls. PM me and I may be able to get you a report if you tell me what specific market info…[Read more]

It seems that I will be traveling back to Melbourne after all! Just for a week to attend a friend’s wedding and my mum’s birthday.

I’ll be inviting some friends to my place to talk US property investing on Thursday night June 22nd. If any of you feel like coming over, please PM me and I’ll send you the details. Melbourne SE suburbs.

Take care…[Read more]

Hi Bjoern, apologies for the late reply. In the past 2 weeks I’ve been traveling to LA, Memphis and Dallas and just got back home. Also currently in the middle of 2 deals.

Re: buyers agents- do you mean local real estate brokers? Or turnkey providers? In general I don’t use either, for deal flow I approach the selling brokers directly. However I…[Read more]

Hi Bjoern, apologies for the late reply. In the past 2 weeks I’ve been traveling to LA, Memphis and Dallas and just got back home. Also currently in the middle of 2 deals.

Re: buyers agents- do you mean local real estate brokers? Or turnkey providers? In general I don’t use either, for deal flow I approach the selling brokers directly. However I…[Read more]

Hi Ron,
which part of Florida is your asset located in?
I have my own staff managing my assets, so I can’t help with any recommendations. But if your assets are in Sth Flordia, I can get my people to verify in person if units are occupied.

@Jaxon, apologies for the late reply. I don’t check this website all that often now that I’m in Houston. I’m also in the middle of 2 deals, and last week I had the amazing privilege of being on a cruise ship with Robert Kiyosaki! An unreal experience. Anyway, if you want a more timely response email me- [email protected]

Anyway, to answer your…[Read more]

@Jaxon, apologies for the late reply. I don’t check this website all that often now that I’m in Houston. I’m also in the middle of 2 deals, and last week I had the amazing privilege of being on a cruise ship with Robert Kiyosaki! An unreal experience. Anyway, if you want a more timely response email me- [email protected]

Anyway, to answer your…[Read more]

@ DeanCollins – I think I might have misunderstood your original question. I’ve taken out loans amortized for 30years, but I don’t know of any non-recourse loan that has a 30 yr fixed term. The loan i referenced in my previous answer was a Freddie Mac loan.

Hi DeanCollins, with the obvious caveat that I’m not a banker (just a private investor) my thoughts on the matter-

– The finance industry is soooo much more competitive here. You have financing options every shade of the rainbow. From hard money lenders, to community banks to National banks, to private lenders, to the US Govt effectively; there…[Read more]

I’ve never transacted in Michigan, and I don’t think I know anyone that’s currently based there. So I can’t really say.

What’s your thinking behind your interest?

For starters, I’d say you gotta hop on a plane and build real relationships.

I know this is a forum, so its weird to recommend another forum but the US based…[Read more]

Well that was easy!

I’m back in Houston now- back on the hunt. Will be checking this forum less often now, but if any of you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Good investing!

Kevin

Hi Jack,

Congratulations on your plans! Austin and DFW are great markets. We were in DFW 3 weeks ago, and Austin in June. Some thoughts:

– Generally US zoning and planning rules are much less restrictive than Aussie planning regs, hence US urban sprawl. Consequently areas don’t really ‘gentrify’, as developers would rather rebuild in a totally…[Read more]