Originally posted by as41:
I understand your frustration. TOTALLY. Husband and I spend out 2’s drinking and partying (never thoughtou about investing until 2 years ago). Now we are early 30’s and I am the main income earner. My husband is on a very average wage and we would like to have kids. I am havng anxiety issues with wanting to have achild…[Read more]

Peter & Paul,

I understand fully you’re frustration but I don’t sympathise. You are both in good positions with uni degrees and starting incomes of $40K. That’s more than a large percentage of the population will ever earn in any given year. Not sure what you do Paul, but Peter with your accounting qualifications you’re income will be up, up…[Read more]

curr_01,

You’re forgetting that the tax cuts actually reduce the amount of tax payable so you have more money in your pocket before any negative gearing kicks in. So although the tax deduction has been eroded because of the lower tax rates, the negatively geared investor actually has more money in there pocket to start with.

Here’s some…[Read more]

Tinker,

My reply may be a bit late but if you haven’t already painted the doors, go into your local Bunnings or paint store and tell them you want a roller for painting doors. Most of them stock very fine rollers specifically designed for this task. Sorry I can’t recall what they are called but the end result is excellent and much better than…[Read more]

Micsha,

I think it depends on what your investment strategy is. I am currently investing for high short term capital gains in the booming WA property market so I’m happy with my current returns of 4.3% and 3.7%. As I’m also in a high tax bracket, I get significant tax offsets which keeps the cash holding costs low despite the low yield. On a…[Read more]

IMHO an interest rate rise will invariably cause rents to rise if for no other reason than investors will look to pass it on to their tennants. It will probably take awhile to filter through though. Whether or not 0.25% rate rise will cause home buyers to hang off purchasing I would speculate that the rise isn’t significant enough on its own…[Read more]

Ever read “A Town Like Alice”? Similiar kind of storyline…

Flatout

Originally posted by Chris.R_WA:
Thanks for that flatout,

That was very inspiring. Seriously. In terms of goal setting and seeing a long term plan come to fruition.

I can only hope that our plans flows as smoothly as yours did.

Chris.R

Pleased to help…but no, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. We’ve had setbacks along the way including a…[Read more]

Actually, a long settlement might work in your favour if the property is bought by an investor. Most investors won’t mind having a long settlement as they secure the price today and may get some CG in the time it takes to settle. Of course, this means you’ve sacrificed the CG but you may be able to negotiate a high selling price based on this.…[Read more]

Yep, my husband!

[thumbsup2] Flatout

Doing it tough? No not really. In fact I have to say that 2005/06 has been the best 18mths of my adult life both personally and financially (both intrinsically linked). My partner and I are now starting to reap the rewards of a plan that has been over a decade in the making starting with when we moved from Qld to WA to make a new start. We…[Read more]

After the reno on your flat you might find you have made an instand CG through value adding and hence, more equity than you currently have. Could be worth getting the reno out of the way first, then get a new valuation and see where you stand.

Flatout

Have you considered getting you windows tinted? Also have a talk to you a good window furnishing place. Some products you can see through quite well because of the light coming in the window behind the curtain/blinds, but won’t allow people to see inside from outside. Off course at night when you have the lights on you’d need a block-out option…[Read more]

Well I’m in the clear. No one in my family has got a zack to rub together[blush2]. Seriously though, this hasn’t always been the case and money has caused a lot of problems within the family – thankfully all overcome now. I was too young to be involved but after years of observing all the troubles I made a vow with myself never to mix family…[Read more]

andymitchell,

Another option is you could split the loan so you have a fixed component and a variable component. We’ve recently done this on our PPOR. Kinda like having a bet both ways.

Flatout

A work colleague of mine bought into a off-the-plan motel 7 years ago in Port Hedland, WA. First 5 years was not too bad as they were guaranteed minimum returns. They tried to sell out during this period but couldn’t find a buyer. Since the guarantee period expired their returns have plummeted to almost nothing most of the year. They and every…[Read more]

Hi Newstart,

Can’t comment as a buyer as I’ve never made a cash offer. However, we sold our first IP to a cash offer. Initial offer was 88% of our asking but eventually sold for 96%. From a vendors point of view, the fact that the offer was cash wasn’t significant enough to induce us to sell a long way below asking. Had we been desperate for…[Read more]

How would you enforce it? Tennant says no I don’t smoke, then takes up the habit. Standard lease condition is that tennants have carpets cleaned and rest of property left clean and tidy when vacating. A good PM would not release the bond unless entirely satisfied with condition of property and that includes window treatments, walls, ceiling etc…[Read more]

Tajee & others,

As a Westralian, my comments and feeling on the market are based on what I am seeing and hearing everyday. The resources boom is having a major effect over here – virtually verywhere I look the level of activity is frenetic. And I’m not just talking residential housing…industrial and commercial buildings and new businesses are…[Read more]

pstickles,

Sound to me like your first step should be contact a broker and get them to run the numbers for you. You haven’t said whether or not you already have a home with some equity that you can use or whether this property would be your first purchase in which case you may be able to access the $14K first home owners grant. I think you’ll…[Read more]