Nina,I laughed at your description of life with your 3 year old.  Mine are 2 and 4, so I can empathise.  There seems no limit to the bad things they can find to do in the minutes you are either in the shower, the loo, answering the phone etc.  You've done well to write a few coherent paragraphs here!  I actually have found that I really enjoy rea…[Read more]

Hi Nina,Why don't you go for a drive some time and have a look at the block of land?  It isn't far from Brisbane by the sounds and then at least you know what you are dealing with.  Perhaps too it may be time the solicitor told the neighbours to clean up their mess.  Having rubbish dumped on it sure won't improve its value, and therefore wont he…[Read more]

Hi Justin,I often make use of the residential tenancies website to check median rents (quarterly) for different property types and suburbs.  This is for Queensland only.  Maybe there is a similar thing for other states.  The address is http://www.rta.qld.gov.au   Go to 'median rents'.Louise

Hi Devo76,A thought provoking question!  I am admittedly very frugal, stingy according to my friends.  I often take my kids to op shops when they ask for a toy, I get them whatever clothes they need and we have a great time shopping, rarely spending over $10.  I think of it as recycling!  Until recently I drove a very daggy 1983 magna in a lusciou…[Read more]

I would love to get into good commercial property – have looked into going partners with my brother as 'good' properties seem to start around 500k and the lending criteria if far less generous in terms of LVR as compared to residential.  At this point, I think the only way in for me is to get a little more equity from residential investments and…[Read more]

Hi Renabelz,Mackay prices seem to be firming a little, thoughthey are still off their peak by quite a bit.  It is a reasonably good buyers market now with some room to negotiate as things are not moving quickly.  I know a few agents and all have more listings they they have had in ages and are finding it hard to sell as people are reluctant to d…[Read more]

Hi,I am just starting out on a very similar project, raising a queenslander to legal height and building in under with internal stairs, laundry, kitchen, bedroom, ensuite and living.  We want to keep the existing kitchen upstairs (4y.o.)  as we feel it would be desirable adult renters sharing to have separate kitchens/living.  As a past rent…[Read more]

Hi Melsy,I have been looking at Townsville for about 4 months now and in my view, properties seem to have increased by around a minimum of 10% in that time (for those under $350k).  We had trouble with buying as the good deals were gone within hours of listing.  I live in Mackay which makes it hard to view properties quickly.  I would consider th…[Read more]

Hi Francis

That is an interesting question. We have renovated a few properties in the last 5 years and found that although they definitely add value and equity, we could have done almost as well if we had not bothered with anything major as by far the greatest gains were just a matter of time and timing the purchase. I think renos are more…[Read more]

Congratulations! You have done really well for yourself financially.
If I were you, I would consider finding a property to live in and renovate, look for minor cosmetic things you can do yourself of for little cost to icrease your equity. Paint and polished floors make a huge diference also kitchens and bathrooms. Major structural problems can…[Read more]

Hi Gina,

Don’t be afraid to put the rent up regardless of incentives if it is in line with increases to the median rents for the area. This information is available from the Residential Tennencies website for Queensland but I am not sure for Sydney.

I am saying this because I made the mistake of not increasing rents regularly in line with the…[Read more]