Brazil's the kind of market that can go bust in a heart beat. The property markets have been running red hot since 08 and credit went crazy over that time fueling the property market. The Olympics is also adding fuel to the fire at the moment. I remember the same kind of thing in Sydney around 2000.

They have big problems economically that are only being exacerbated by the global slowdown. The risk with Rio is that a post Olympic boom tends to see property markets either drift or retrace for few years and that's in relatively good economic times. The Rio market looks like it has a better than 70% chance of a correction over the next 5 years. The question will be how much higher will it go before it corrects and what would a correction look like.

The risk is that the market could rise another 20% but retrace 30%+ after the Olympics. Any post Olympics could be magnified by both national and global economic woes.

Personally I think you're going into a high risk market at almost the top of it's cycle. You're not likely to get much help with the currency either. Inflation is a real problem and that's pushing interest rates up putting pressure on borrowers. The economy has basically stalled and wages have stagnated. There seems little to support an over heated market other than hope and hype. To me it's a speculators market that could pop at any time.

It's the following the same pattern of most failed property markets globally. It might last another 2 -4 years. Who knows.

If you're going to have a go good luck. You'll need it.

Get your PM to send pics. We might be able to help you better if we can see what's going on. 

Detroit might end up being an interesting case study. If they're able to default on their debt and get somewhere closer to a manageable debt load it could present an opportunity in the future. They still need a lot of restructuring especially unions and and burden of pension schemes etc. If they can get back to a clean sheet with a half descent financial plan they might surprise. I won't hold my breath. They could also implode into just another dead and dying US city. 

ROFL.. come on me ol' son. You know you're giving away $500 of advice for didly so you can maybe sell ém that $3k service.

My guess is that regional areas will take a hit as the economy slows. If we see a lower dollar and inflation over the next few years people will look to live closer to their work and area of activity. That will reduce demand for many areas and may see some move away to capture savings in living closer to their areas of most activity. I saw this Sydney when there was a big move west and then several years later they were moving back because it was cheaper to pay higher rents/prices and live closer in than the commute and time costs.

Beware of GDP figures. I don't put much store in them. It's like looking at your top line and ignoring your bottom line. The problem with GDP everywhere is they're all manipulating the bloody thing for political reasons. Joe public assumes GDP growth is a real figure and actually means something. Same BS here in Oz.

The nuclear thing is a dodgy one. I can't see they've got much choice at the moment. The cost of imported energy is killing them. Heaven help you if another one falls over though. That's all you'll need.

The women thing is a political stunt. They already have women in the work force. Nothing new there. Problem is they have to overcome the paternalistic culture in business and push more women to the top not just the token ones. The immigration/women thing is a red herring anyway. It'll be decades before they could hope to capatilise on any of those initiatives if at all. The problem is now and the next 5 years. It simply diverts attention and energy from the real problems that need addressing.

And here it comes..

Japan to adopt 'bail-ins,' force bank losses on investors if needed, Nikkei says

• Japan's Financial Services Agency will enact new rules that will forced failed bank losses on investors, if needed, via a mechanism known as a "bail-in," according to The Nikkei. Mitsubishi UFJ (MTU), Mizuho Financial (MFG) and Sumitomo Mitsui (SMFG) are among those proposing amendments to allow them to issue the types of preferred shares or subordinated bonds that would be used in such cases, the report noted.

Looks like the banks are setting up their backstops for when things turn to custard.. that's ominous.

and Abenomics appears to be in trouble

The Abenomics effect deflates.

Abe seems big on rhetoric but small on detail. He's fallen at the first real challenge. Failure to turn this around will doom his term in office if he survives at all. a Long way to go yet but it's not looking too good for old Abe san.

Chemical smell from anything would trigger an emergency I would think. Pretty strict rules on the commercial use of chemicals in built up areas. More like fetilisers. Some are pretty pungent. With the tip just ask around the neighborhood. You'll soon find out how that affects the area.

I'm always surprised at how many buyers never bother to talk to the local shop keeper, neighbors etc to find out what an area's like.

I started in the freezing works back in NZ straight out of school (1976). It was big money then. I did 4 years on lambs and then got out. Went back in 1986. The rot had set in by then. I spent another 13 years this time in pig slaughter and beef operations. The last 5 years I saw the writing on the wall and made preparations to exit at my first opportunity. Lamb processing dropped from 90 million head per year to 30. The pig processing plant went broke and closed about 2 years after I left.

We are victims of creative destruction, deflation in manufactured goods (a race to the bottom) and globalisation. In 1980 I bought a F&P top loader washing machine for $950. I was earning $12k per year which was good money in those days. Today a comparable wage would be $80 – 100k. I can buy the same washing machine for $470. 

And that's the problem you face. We all want cheap goods but expect to retain and improve our living standards at the same time. You can have one or the other but not both. 

And you definitely need to worry about robots. Foxcon employs around a million people assembling electronic components. It's going robot because of labor costs and bad publicity. The people displaced for that job will then add to the competition for the remaining jobs. You can now buy simple stand alone robots for around $23k that can be programmed by anyone to take over simple menial repetitive jobs. Their economic lifespan works out to around $3/hr. Those types of robots will progressively expand into more complex jobs and actually get cheaper with longer economic life spans. 

If you want to guide your kids into careers you need to be looking at activities that bots can't compete in. It's getting harder to find them. Bots won't do everything but they will displace enough workers to the point unemployment will be hard to manage. 

Can you remember when every interaction was with a human? Have a think about how many times you now interact with a machine to complete a task. Where just at the beginning of that curve.

Bots don't retire, get sick (or throw sickies) want time off, take holidays, complain or strike.

Agree with everything you say for the most part. You're probably looking at a blend of old and new. Old for proven reliable systems and new for that sexy bit plus it adds the IP dimension to the revenue stream. I think in todays world you need to be around 80% traditional 20% new. 

Be aware that 5% ROI's may attract some Super Funds (if the investment is big enough) but keeping investors at that level might prove difficult over the long term. You can do that with an existing business with a track record but it's virtually impossible to attract investors with those returns for a start up. 

Not just Asia but the Middle East as well. This is where a consultancy can make it easier to open doors.

I was watching Landline last night and one segment was on water in Tasmania. A merchant banker was buying up water rights to the new water scheme because farmers didn't see the value yet. Dairy is expanding down there apparently and he was saying there is literally billions of dollars looking for innovative investment opportunities.

You can watch the segment here Starts at about 13.00

http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2013/s3777902.htm

I would talk to the big money guys especially those in Ag. Many have access to clients and funds looking for opportunities. Start at Rural Bank and look for leads there. They'll point you in the right direction as to who and how you might go about it. Meetings with these guys I have found to be educational and informative. Most are quite willing to help.

http://www.private-equity-australia.com/

http://www.australianinvestmentnetwork.com/home

http://www.aaai.net.au/

http://businessangels.com.au/

http://www.findangelinvestors.com.au/