One thing I would do is find out which real estate agents in the area list the majority of commercial properties. The agents in my area can give me a pretty accurate guide to both the demand for type of property and what the market is currently paying/asking per sqm in a lease. They should be able to do the same for you.

Hallg

For some reason I think you may be right about a couple of interest rate rises after the election. I plan to stay on variable rate as I doubt if there is much to be gained in fixing. I just went and pick-up a book of my book shelf called “Wealth Wizard” by Mark Bouris from Wizard Home Loans. When disucssing this subject he makes this comment on…[Read more]

Put it in my own home built 9 years ago. No problems except for 3 locations. 1) behind the kitchen sink 2) behind the washing machine 3) right near the shower door. Common theme is water (as mentioned above) The problem areas only total about 2 metres all up so in hindsight I would have found something else for these locations or perhaps I could…[Read more]

Hi emsypoo, Baspet’s comments are pretty sound. I’m not a builder myself but due to the nature of my job I manage a couple of carpenters. Over the past few years our guys have done work for both Simonds and National Bulders. From my observations the home owner’s satifaction with both the building process and the end result can vary greatly…[Read more]

Good question Devo76 but I think the responses just show that what motivates people varies greatly. Sometimes it makes it hard for us to understand each other but it’s just the way it is. Recently a friend of mine tried to tell her dad that he should sell some of his properties and spend up a bit (ie world trips etc). Thought she was doing the…[Read more]

Hi Jon, as mentioned they are hard to come by but positive cash flow properties do exist. ( I assume you will allow a commercial example?) One purchase I made goes like this. Three and half years ago I noticed that a building in the CBD of a large regional centre (Population 100.000+) had been for sale or lease for about 4 months. Asking price to…[Read more]

Don't know if there is one simple answer to your question. As you would be aware the gross income figure doesn't tell you what your actual "passive" nett income is. If one assumes that expenses end up being about $40,000 that could leave you with some where between  $10,000 to $20,000 nett. If that turns out to be so, in theory you could make a 5…[Read more]

Hi, you’re doing the right thing by asking questions. You can never ask too many in my opinion. Try and find past or existing franchisees to hear what they have to say. I know a couple of people who have purchased cleaning franchises and the common complaint I hear is that the franchisee ends up having to find their own jobs (contracts) then ends…[Read more]

Interesting to read people’s comments as I’ve investments in both property and M/Funds so I often look at their respect performance. Four years ago I purchased and renovated a commercial office for $320,000. It is currently rented for $34,000 per year. Based on a 7.5% return its value today is about $450,000. Given that the interest rate on the…[Read more]

Hi Nats, I have not had your precise situation but late last year I took out a number of trees to build a tennis court. I had been to council a number of times prior to starting work and I felt sure I had all my bases covered. Despite this I still ended up with council officers on my door step threatening all soughts of things. In the end I…[Read more]