Doing the same with land subdivision, getting plans and permits and then the surveyor draws up the boundaries, it goes to the council and titles office.
the surveyor tells me it takes 6 to 8 weeks.
I then have to get the front house revalued for tax and bank purposes.
doing 2 at present and for the first time, so I am learning, but absolutely worth while.

If its structurally sound (build inspection), they can be great renovators, and often have a lot of character.
As long as its not in need of having to replace just about everything.

I agree soma, any form of trading has an element of gambling unless: you have exeptional discipline, the best of money management and stop loss skills.
I basically have stopped trading, it ended up being too stressful, if the market is bullish, as at present, the risk becomes to high for my liking, with the index trading.
My sister is persevering…[Read more]

Check what other similar properties are yielding, it seems a long time to not raise rent.
I have a suspicion, that managers are very conservative with rentals, as they wish to have tenants in place and collect their share, rather than have the place empty for too long.
I have had the same issue.
i have recently raised the rent on a couple of my…[Read more]

Personally, I would say forget it at that price, you can get similar info and packages much more cheaply, most of the money goes bach into the pyr., oops sorry, network top guru.
I’ve been to their presentation, I am sure my report is still in the system.
Those sorts of things are a plague, designed by the archetypical american profiteer(but only…[Read more]

I have a property settling next week, where the sellers wants to stay on another 6 weeks.
I have asked for 6 weeks rent in advance to be paid on the day of settlement.
I will not charge a bond.
I have asked to access the property to show prospective tenants through in that time.
My conveyancer has also put in a legal agreement that we do get…[Read more]

Government interference with market forces doesn’t work.
Trying to abolish neg gearing will put rental through the roof as has happened previously.
I don’t think buying your first home is more difficult, the first step is difficult at any time.
It wasn’t easy for us initially either.

According to residex, getting harder and harder to find.

Excellent comments M & K, as always.
I think one or two average priced, cash pos. properties on a fixed int rate should be ok.
The cost of running a SMS fund can be considerable and will be proportionally less the bigger the fund.
I agree, this is a case for “good” and proper finacial advise.
If you are working for example you can salary sacrifice…[Read more]

I previously spoke at length about our very first investment in 1997.
A serviced hotel unit in QLD, 105,000, promised a 7% return.
Current state: probably complete capital loss and yearly losses, body corp, etc, interest etc.
My estimated total loss to date: $150,000++ not even contemplating the cost of lost opportunity!
There are about 85 other…[Read more]

Agree totally, they never seem to consider the real cost of renov. eg buying/selling.
By the time you add in taxes, well is it really worth it. All the hard work you have put in and the interest you have to pay to service the loan.

Please note I am not ANTI SUPPLEMENT, there are clear indications for supplements in a number of cases which are health related, nutritionally deficient etc.

The issue relates to selling grossly overpriced, network marketed vits/antioxidants to your average healthy population on the premise that they help prevent ageing, cvs disease cancers and…[Read more]

See: The Medical Journal of Australia, 4th Aug ’03,vol 179, no 3, p.170
This was a literature review, ie numerous articles were checked, no conclusive evidence to recommend either for or against supplement/antioxidant compbination.
There you go, who is low on facts?

I’ve used CBA LOC for many years now, no complaints at all.
Citybank: a broker tried to flogg this product to me several years ago, don’t know why, since it was more expensive and no better than CBA product, why go to the headache of changing.
Brokers get a hefty commission and trailing commission.
I am a gold customer of CBA, its been great,…[Read more]

Offer people enough money and they will flog/market anything. Dolf DeRosses’ product was previously discussed and is grossly overpriced, well you’ve got to pay the pyramid or it will collapse don’t you?
The products being flooged may be ok but grossly overvalued and nothing you cannot buy in any shop etc.The excuse for not selling them in the…[Read more]

Network marketing: fine line between that and pyramid schemes.
I went to one presentation and goodness me, how are people sucked in!
we bolted right the other way.
Beware the american hype and excuberance machine, they know how to suck you in and spit you out!
Not saying there is anything wrong with your particular comapny, just be very careful…[Read more]

dealfor free make their money on the spread.
Blsck boxes and share trading don’t work for 90% of people, see my other email.
Comsec, lev Equities and Macquarie bank are offering no money down, 100% geared share portfolios, cost 14-15% for interest and hedging (buyng puts).
I am looking into it now.
check it out under protected portfolio loan on…[Read more]

Well, becoming an investor does need some minor detail, ie cash!
How are you meant to get cash without a job?
I am now, after some 25 years! in the workforce working only part-time, writing silly emails!
Investments are only now allowing me the luxury of foccusing more on our assetts and associated compliance paperwork and exploring other assets…[Read more]

I believe in risk management.
Property: cash flow pos, or extra land to subdivide and act as a buffer in case values fall
2.shares: insure them against crashes as you would insure your property, car, health etc.
Ultimately, when I am old and doddery (I hope not too soon), I would like a hassle free income stream, eg a share portfolio, I can write…[Read more]

The reason for the property hikes is multifactorial, including less land available and up to 1/3 of the cost is: GST, stamp duty, tax on tax etc., council fees.
Guess who really has their snout in the through and is not likely to let go, because prop-eprty is a huge cash cow! Yes state, federal and local governments.
There are articles in the week…[Read more]