Media is always based on selling a good story.
but the one with the swimming pool across a property boundary has got me, and the ruling that the pool should stay because it cost a lot to build. It does’nt even have a permit!
does that mean, we no longer have any control over our land boundaries?

I think it doesn’t matter what and how you spend your money, even “investment” spending can be an over commitment, budget carefully and be prepared for any changes that might come your way.
I have no problem in offloading some property now to reduce debt.
I think “holding for the long term” is correct up to a point, you have to keep your debts manageable.

We discussed this already extensively,on this site.I looked at a product called Usana in the past. Also, check out ASIC site for their definition of pyramid scheme, to me it is not much different to network marketing, although marketers strenously deny that their scheme is a pyramid scheme.
you can be assured that anything coming from america is…[Read more]

Food for thought, I think potentially very correct.
We are selling a couple of our properties to reduce debt, not buying any more at present, because the rest are just about paying for themselves.
For the rest I am learning some short term trading strategies with stop losses, and this does not tie up a lot of money.
its not a bad idea to take a…[Read more]

I would suggest avoid like the plague and don’t be sucked in by glossy brochures, see what’s happening to high rise in Melb or sydney, there is NO money in it for YOU, only for the developer.
I see it as a very high risk strategy, see previous popstings on this issue, agree with all above comments.

Yes, every boom brings its con artists.
The share boom brought its share of trading packages and tipsters.
Maybe this is saying something, like, are we nearing the end of the boom and starting to bust?
In America I believe, property is startin go a bit flat.

Too many apartments in the city and too much vacancy,absolutely no land value.
Well if you really want to go ahead, check body corp minutes and sinking fund issues, in case there are lurking any nasty repair bills.
In my books, and from past experience, I now stick to the cliched “mum and dad” property, eg suburban house and land, close to…[Read more]

excellent idea Hilary

How do you handle some R/E agents price range, eg. range from 220 to 260, sometimes they give a 50,000 range in difference!
I find it a bit of a turn off, it suggests that the agents have no idea about the price.
I am talking about your normal suburban property, that should easily be valued.

Yes, we need a bit of a revamp because of demand!
I find myself responding to topics, but can’t remember what heading. Yes, its old age!
Its good to go back to the original topic, to see how others have responded since I responded.
Also,I previously suggested that we divide up the topics, as some areas may be more of interest than others.
Its hard…[Read more]

Buy big blocks, with a rentable house and subdivide.
That’s really my only property strategy now, I’ve posted before about this, you still get the income to partly pay the costs.

I think your home and landlords insurance has a liability cover.
If your tenant sues you, lets say faulty wiring, electrocution, and you have no assetts, then all he/she can go for is your home in the trust, I quess, and this will be highly mortgaged anyway!
Ed Burton keeps telling us: You’re a penniless bum, you own nothing. Nonetheless, we have…[Read more]

Joint venture with family or almost anyone else is asking for trouble.
We have a shared house with parents, whilst we have no personal issues, there is absolutely no flexibility.
We want to sell in about 3 years and do the travel bit and not have the finacial/physical burden of such a large property.
It seems to cause my father especially endless…[Read more]

My concern would be misuse of the data unsolicited email etc.
I would suggest we could do this as an anmynous survey, on the web page, it would be interesting!

Maybe its just me, but I wouldn’t invest there just for the sake of investing.
If the property market flattens out, those and country areas are probably the first to go flat or even down.
Tasmania, has not good any population growth, as opposed to QLD.

I am looking at fixed interest rates, interest only, at least you know where you are at.
Also the CBA will allow principal repayments of up to 10,000 per year(without penalty), which is an excellent deal.

You must check with the local council and chamber of commerce or equivalent for any business happening, to see what its future is.
If business is coming in and there is increasing population etc, they are positives.
If businesses/people are leaving the town, I wouldn’t go near it.

I’ve reached a sort of semi retirement goal, work still 4 half days per week, still couldn’t live of rental income but looking at cap. gains more than cashflow.
I am just getting a little bored, but I think that has something to do with going from working 6 jobs to only two.

Yes, real estate institute board in vic, I am sure they must have them in the other states.
I’ve posted extensively about this before.
same story, also read Jenmans’ book, its spot on re R/e agents and their strategies.
My case was my home and overvaluation and wearing us down and rudeness.
We did sort of win when we went to the hearing, the agent…[Read more]

Agree Terryw, too many what ifs in this case.