Forum Replies Created
Do some further research and it seems the NSW government hasn’t decided to which type to legislate, battery operated or hard wire type smoke detectors. The NSW fire bridge are pushing for the battery type.
The hard wired type smoke detectors are available from the hardware stores for $50.00 (NSW), you still have to install the thing though….
Weston, are battery type smoke detectors readily / widely available in NZ as they are in Australia?
Cheers,
GeoffBHi Ben,
I’m one of Steve’s clients and as Westan says he comes highly recommended.Worth a phone call.
Cheers,
GeoffBThank you all for your constructive feedback.
Great suggestions and ideas.
Cheers,
GeoffBGood question Redfish.
I too have been asking the same questions on the dedicated NZ forum http://www.nzpropertytogo.com/, but as yet nobody has responded.
The only knowledge I have gained so far from my research is that NZ subdivision processes and laws are very similar to Oz.
Cheers
GeoffBContact Steven Crane at Mobile Mortgage in Melbourne (can get his details from this forum) who can answer your question.
Question to you is, why do you specifically want a Mobile Mortgage broker in Sydney?????
I’m from Sydney but don’t limit myself to brokers in Sydney, any broker in Australia can deliver 100% quality services regardless of there location.
Cheers
GeoffBI agree Caesar, suspect Kurra is talking about Westans seminar evening. If that is the case the American gentlemen referenced to are NOT USA Real Estate agents, they are property investors.
Cheers
GeoffBHi Property Angel,
Small assistance regarding your business start-up, suggest you read (presuming you haven’t already) a very inspiring book called “You Inc.” by John McGrath.
I have just read it for the second time, can really help you to your business goals and aspirations.
Cheers
GeoffBBelow is an article from last Fridays Southland Times Newspaper regarding the positive future of Invercargill. This in addition to ozi’s post earlier today puts a lot of substance towards a rosy current situation and future.
Feisty city blows away the experts
08 April 2005
By KAREN ARNOLDInvercargill’s future as a stable, healthy community is still on the up, blowing apart the theory of one Australasian population expert.
KPMG consultant Bernard Salt, of Australia, told The Southland Times yesterday the city was continuing on its upward – albeit slow – spiral. It could expect to maintain a stable population unless there was a structural shift in the region’s economic base. “I think you’ve got 50,000 feisty people who don’t give up easily.”
Mr Salt has been studying demographics across Australia and New Zealand since 1989.
About 1999, he suggested Invercargill was one of three Australasian cities that would suffer “significant and sustained” population loss. In the normal lifecycle of a town, it could take up to 50 years before there was a turnaround. It had been affected by a fall in the strength of the agricultural sector, efficiencies at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter requiring less manpower and changes in meat processing.
Such structural economic changes could “wrong-foot” a town and the situation couldn’t change no matter how good the community leaders were, Mr Salt said. A year later, he noticed a sudden change. “Invercargill went from losing to gaining population. “I have never seen a town go from big-time loser to a winner of any sort.”
Mr Salt was prompted to ask “what the hell was going on?” He found Southern Institute of Technology chief executive Penny Simmonds’ “idea in the shower” to create a zero-free polytechnic was the catalyst, supported by a determined, patriotic and innovative community response.
Invercargill benefited from having community trust funders, which meant the city could manage its own future, he said. It could take its own risks and reap its own rewards. “Australian regions don’t have that. It’s not about looking at copying what Penny Simmonds did but the principle. “The lesson should be Invercargill’s recovery. I still don’t think it’s appreciated as widely as it should be.” Invercargill people were enjoying a positive community.
The injection of youth and vitality encouraged older people into the city and created balance, Mr Salt said. As a result, the population decline had stopped and was “flat-lining”.
He expected it to remain the same, give or take 500 people, unless there was another significant change in the economic base.
Cheers
GeoffBI’ve vetted interest in Invercargill and in the last six months the positives are defiantly outweighing the negatives.
Personally, I have great confidence this trend will continue in all areas.
Cheers
GeoffBHi John,
I have done a lot of research on USA property investing over the last 4 months and the one accounting firm who has the best knowledge on Australians investing in USA properties is Active Financial Answers (they have a web page), I use them. I take it the seminar you attended is the ones held at the Carton Crests last week? If so then you should be familiar with them as they are the ones who was giving the advice.Regarding attorneys, I have only dealt with Christopher Minienis in the states, drop Westan a message and he can direct you to the best. I’m not in the position to give out details as I don’t what to tread on Westans feet, Westan has the best knowledge and contacts references relating to the USA.
Cheers
GeoffBRural NSW 7.7% and 8%.
Cheers
GeoffBInteresting article regarding growth of Invercargill.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/0,2106,3241218a6011,00.html
Cheers
GeoffBHi Barb,
Valid comments, as always.Property Managers still can give you quality service at 7.5% to 8.5% instead of 10%-11%. I manage to been treated as a quality client by the PM’s through dialogue, i.e. Keep a in contact with PM and a relationship of trust (so far it’s working…).
In large towns like Invercargill where PM’s could have 200+ properties on their books, the PM is not going to treat you any differently to there other 199 properties, however in small towns where everyone knows everyone else then your philosophy of quality is spot on.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of multiple property investments PM discounts as I diversify my properties by investing in different areas. In NZ I save $600.00+ per year by reducing my PM fees by 1-2%, that’s equivalent to a hot water service per year.
P.S.
Sorry I didn’t catch-up with you at the Carlton Crest last Thursday, was a very long day for me…Cheers,
GeoffBWoodsman,
If you are still investing in property, land tax is levied in all states.
Not if you invest in NZ or USA.
Cheers
GeoffBStephen,
Another option is to use OPM (other peoples money), suggest you read Steve McKnight’s Feb newsletter, has great suggestion to raise money.Before reading the article suggest implementing a budget and start saving saving saving, once you get started everything will start to flow naturally.
Hope this is of some assistance?
Cheers
GeoffBSorry, none here, so far touch wood.
It’s called due diligence, the stuff really works…
Cheers
GeoffBOne way I’ve stopped paying any additional land tax is, stopped PI in NSW, moved on, it’s a big world out there. i.e. taken my business elsewhere.
How have I dealt with existing PI’s? – good question, unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way around avoiding paying it, yet… election time may assist….
Some people have discussed on this forum increasing the rent to cover the cost.
Cheers,
GeoffBHi Tim,
Your situation sound similar to mine some time ago.I bought a Property Investment (PI) off an existing investor who had multiple properties through the Property Manager (PM). As I only bought one PI of this investor the PM tried to raise his management fees, with good reason. I was successful in retaining the low PM fees (7.5%) only because that same Real Estate agent was also the selling agent and I threatened to move to another PM agency.
To answer your original question, yes PM’s fees generally about 10% in NZ, stepper than Oz. However, do try negotiate lower figures, I always do and if I fail I try again. My success rate is 75% of PI’s are on a lower that 10% PM fees through haggling.
Good Luck
Cheers
GeoffBHi techhowse,
I take it you are looking for an accountant and in your local area??? If so, why are you limiting your search to just that. Some of the best accountants suitable for your requirements maybe else where.
Case, up until a couple of months ago I used my old accountant back in Adelaide from 12 years ago. As I grow my investment portfolio my accountant was increasingly falling behind, therefore I searched for another accountant in my local area, but then question why look for a someone local…. I want the best accountant with the best experience and knowledge to look after my property portfolio. After weeks looking around I found that accountant, in Brisbane.
Therefore, suggest that you just don’t limit yourself to a local area unless you have a valid reason.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
GeoffBAnother advantage of investing in NZ over Oz is:
Bob Carr and his Treasure are not in power, therefore no land tax and NO vendor tax…. (Yet!!!)
Cheers,
GeoffB
