Hi prospector

Welcome to the forum.

I can't recommend anyone in Perth but most things are done via email/phone these days so you have the opportunity to choose any mortgage broker from across the country.

Start with educating yourself, read up – there's some great books that explain the fundamentals of property investing and free forums like this provide up-to-date info. There's also a couple of national magazines – Your Investment Property and Australian Property Investor.

Once you have an idea of what you want to get out of investing, have a chat with a good broker about your plans and they'll run some scenarios for you and work out what's achievable.

Cheers

Jamie

Hiya

I’m with choice – they won’t send you leads.

Cheers

Jamie

Hi Keenan

Do you need an advisor or a broker? In any case, Pete Tersteeg in Nunawading, VIC is both.

James from House of Wealth in Vic is a good accountant.

Sorry, can't help with Darwin.

Cheers

Jamie

Hi there

Congrats on your first IP.

My only comment is that I wouldn't wait around for growth to kick in – particularly in regional areas.

If your investing strategy is going to focus on regional Vic, then I'd be inclined to take a more proactive approach and add value to each property via renovations.

If they're just set and forget IP's, you might be waiting a while for them to increase in value. However, by adding value to them – you will be able to access equity sooner and grow the portfolio quicker.

Cheers

Jamie

LOL – you've left my wife in stiches.

My brother and her give me a hard time about it everytime the show is on – and now a you've pointed it out!!!

Cheers

Jamie

You can……but technically you shouldn't. A significant change to your financial circumstances such as starting a new job should be declared to the lender. Having said that though, starting a new job (even if it involves probation) doesn't always preclude you from obtaining finance. I just arranged a pre-approval today for a forum client in a similar situation.

Again, technically you've done the right thing – but now that it's become apparent, she would need to make note of it in the application.

Yes, if they carry out another employment check. All in all, I'd speak to someone about your options of obtaining finance the right way – i.e in your next job and fully disclosing your situation. The rules (are usually) in place for good reason.

Cheers

Jamie

I try and write the odd blog entry when I get a spare moment – http://www.passgo.com.au/blog.html

I've been writing a few for API magazine of late as well – http://www.apimagazine.com.au/blog/

Cheers

Jamie

That's right. There's nothing wrong with pre-approvals – there's only something wrong when you go and get multiple pre-approvals in quick succession.

Cheers

Jamie

Hi C-man

Generally speaking, interest only with an offset account will provide all the benefits of a P&I loan but with greater flexiblity. However, it's not for everyone – particularly those who aren't disciplined savers and will simply pay the bare minimal interest repayments each month.

What is the purpose of the loan that you're looking to take out? Owner occupied or investment property?

If owner occupied, do you think it will ever turn into an investment property down the track?

If an investment property, do you have any non deductible debt such as an owner occupied home loan, car loan, personal loan, credit cards?

Cheers

Jamie