John, being a former Property Manager I can strongly recommend having the property managed by someone else as it frees up your time and is TAX DEDUCTABLE. The key points are: do you have the time to learn the RTA Act and manage the property professionally? If you decide to have the property managed, MAKE SURE YOU SHOP AROUND AND INTERVIEW POTENTIAL MANAGERS EXTENSIVELY including finding out the support network for the rental department within the office itself i.e. does the principal support the rental department and is your manager a manager or a receptionist/manager – avoid the latter!!! Too many real estate offices put a junior in without training and without any idea what they are supposed to be doing. Laws have tightened up now on the training but only for new managers.

When my husband and I start investing early next year (finalizing the building of our home first to get the equity) I will manage the properties myself in the beginning as I know the RTA Act back to front but once we get above about 10-20 (depending on time available) I will then likely hand over the management.

As always the choice is yours, there are always pro’s & con’s. Goodluck!

So far we haven’t Tony but it’s a good idea. Any Brisbane people interested in catching up?

Sooshie, his books are more inspirational I think rather than educational but I have only read RDPD which is probably more of an introduction anyway. I think reading anything that is relevent to your current subject of study is good for a wider view but don’t expect to learn specifics.

Well, my eyes are hurting and I’ve only gotten half way through the analysis. I think he has some valid points, Kiyosaki’s books are about everything and nothing at the same time but on the upside, reading Kiyosaki’s book has got me thinking that there is more to life than my husband travelling four hours a day to get to and from work, to be struggling with finances, etc. We haven’t even thought past getting the house we are building finished, let alone a life financial plan! If that is not positive stuff then there is something wrong because I don’t know what else would have given us this kick up the proverbial.

He also says in his books that if you want it, study to get it so in effect, he has planted the seed and now it is up to my husband and I to do the hard work and make it happen if that is what we really want. I enjoyed the reading as I am a person who is not convinced about anything until I have seen/heard both sides and can then make my own judgements. This John guy definitely has some gripe with Kiyosaki, is it because Kiyosaki has misrepresented himself in his books or because of a personal conflict? One always has to question why someone would spend so much time and effort to slag Kiyosaki.

If John has achieved anything by writing such a piece I would have to say it is keep an open mind, always a strong point with me (if that was indeed his intentions?).