As an interested observer I had never really thought about those things too much.  All I see on the forums is, rentals are scarce, yields are up, capital growth will follow etc. etc.  The only social comment I have seen has been a little on the impact on housing for locals ie, council planning, some long time renters are being squeezed out, and s…[Read more]

I sent my vote through.  It sure looks like a fun photoshoot..  When do you find out the result?

Here's a document from the ATO that I came across recently http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/bus70665nat15145072010.pdfIt may have some answers.

I like that he would want a measley couple of hundred thousand homes!  He doesn't do things by halves.  Good post

Gillard 71, Rudd 31  A comprehenive victory.  Even if Rudd got closer I think he has irrepairably upset too many of his powerful colleagues to make serious headway for another challenge (notwithstanding that politics is a funny game).  He'll try to gain numbers but I don't think he'll make enough inroads.  I think it will take a 3rd party to top…[Read more]

Scott No Mates wrote:
Voters have nothing to do with it unless you are a member of the party.

Sure, the parties put up the candidates but preselection is not all that democratic.  Besides, candidates still have to be voted in by, and  supposedly represent, their electorate. 

Scratch wrote:
What annoys me is MP's are supposed to be elected as…[Read more]

Kevin Rudd said words to the effect that the ALP would still be in trouble if he didn't exist and that they would be looking for someone else to take the leadership in his absence.  I think he's right.  There's probably a lot in the ALP that agree with him but who aren't prepared to back Rudd because of his serious leadership flaws.  Here's an in…[Read more]

Agreed.  I don't think the ALP have a glut of high quality leaders atm.  Alternatives are Crean and Shorten.  Perhaps Swan fancies himself too?  If Rudd get's up he's there until the election.  If Gillard wins it remains a  'watch this space' scenario for the next few months ie. it won't be resolved 'once and for all&#…

Wouldn't pick you for an anarchist!  But I do sympathise with what you are saying.  When a government doesn't have control in it's own right, governing the country becomes more of a circus than normal.  Whether it's Rudd or Gillard it won't change that.  Reality is it's probably best for the country if we have an election asap so this hung par…[Read more]

Have a look at posts by euro73.  I remember he covered quite a lot of info on NRAS last year.

jazz77 wrote:
Yes, i know its buyer beware, not much good to me when i'm outbid by someone who doesnt do their homework though.

Perhaps you, or someone you know, can raise it with the auctioneer when the auction starts.  Make sure it's clarified publicly before bids are taken.

Thank you for letting us know.  We have blocked this spam.Regards,Andrew

"Not to speak is to speak.  Not to act is to act."Dietrich Bonhoeffer

fWord wrote:

Marie123 wrote:
"Step 8. Baby boomers have to sell their properties now that the value of their super has halved and they need something to live off. This adds further downward pressure to the viscious spiral"Isnt this already happening? For those that have lost big money in shares (via their super) they have already been selling…[Read more]

Yeah, deductability of super contributions and life cover under super.  I've been told that I have to earn 90% of my income through contract work to be able to claim it.  If fringe benefits is added to all my taxable income I think it pushes me over that threshold.  Not sure if I am understanding it properly though.  Have called an old acc…[Read more]

Well done on your French property.  It's interesting to see a different angle given all the talk on OS investing is about USA. Were you specifically targetting France or broader EU as an investing option?  I find it hard enough to keep abreast of parts of the Aussie market let alone foreign non english speaking markets.Andrew

Hi Richard,What do you make of some of the other aspects of investing in the UK that are being touted on this forum as considerable risks in the usa.  eg. types of neighbourhoods (ghettos) , empty estates, tenant damage, theft, vacancy rates.  Is it as prevalent?From reading your posts I know you're involved in the market over there (and in f…[Read more]

This recent thread had a bit to say on ATM's.https://www.propertyinvesting.com/forums/property-investing/creative-investing/4338224Andrew

I'm passionate about fish'n'chips but only as a consumer.  It's hard to find a good one that does everything right so I hardly ever indulge. That could explain a good part of their decline – not just changes in health values.Generally though it seems that they don't make batter like they used to.  A lot of places have either virtually nothing or a…[Read more]

As far as taking time off goes you can also top up with LWOP (Leave With Out Pay) if you need to.  So long service not essential if you have a few pennies tucked away.  Very cosy situation indeed.