We’re just about to start a total reno on a bathroom in Melbourne – and wondering if anyone can suggest any good (but reasonably priced) tradies out there – tilers, plumbers, electricians, etc (any or all would be wonderful!). We’re actually going to be renovating the entire unit – so would love recommendations for anything (builders, cabinet…[Read more]

I am certainly no expert whatsoever on trusts, but from my understanding, using a Hybrid Trust structure (often with a company as the trustee) to purchase your negatively geared investments will allow you to use that negative gearing against your personal income.

Cheers,
Jen

Hi NSeller,

Definitly get a Depreciation Schedule done!!! Especially with it being a brand new property. We get just as much back in tax from the depreciation of our unit (for the first few years at least) as we do on the interest we pay on the loan!

“The Depreciator” (on this site) – Scott – is very helpful, very fairly priced, and they do a…[Read more]

Hi Emily,

I don’t know much about Dubbo except that I’ve driven through there around 8 times in the past 4 years, on our bi-yearly Melbourne – Townsville Uni drives. I would do some hard research on Dubbo if you are considering investing there, there really isn’t much there at all – although we do often stop for petrol, but usually can’t even…[Read more]

Hi Terryw,

Thanks for your help, just wondering if you were able to find one of these law sites?

Cheers,
JenD

Hi Fun,

I’m not sure what your situation is, but I was able to purchase a property (just recently) with my Defacto-spouse, even though I was only on a bridging Visa, as non-residents can purchase a property with their spouses (defacto or married).

Cheers,
Jen

Posted – 16/06/2005 : 17:03:14

I feel I have to say something from a parent’s point of view. Have you considered that your parents may not be exactly thrilled to have you and your partner living with you? They ,too are making sacrifices to help you achieve your ambitions. Young people so often think they are doing the oldies a favour by…[Read more]

Hi Terry, Zenergy

Thank you! Do you know if the same thing also applies to a “foundation”? And if so, can you recommend someone to help us set this up (or for a charity?)?

I appreciate your help so much!

Cheers,
Jen

Hi JO,

Thank you so much for the offer, but I don’t see an email through web link below, but I did PM you, hope to hear from you soon.

Cheers,
Jen

Hi JO,

I can say that my partner and I are in almost EXACTLY the same situation as you (except we’re living with his parents, possible worse[blink]),

I’m also 26, and if possible, I would say that if you’re interested in property investing to stay with your parents for as long as you can in the short term.

By staying with my partner’s parents,…[Read more]

Thanks Mortgage Advisor,

You back up what the agents have told me so far, but another clueless question – how do you do a title search from the Land Titles Office? i.e. how/who/where do you contact them?

Cheers,
Jen

Hi all,

How can you contact the vendor directly when you are seeing the property though an agent – will the agent give you the vendor’s details directly- i always thought they couldn’t give the vendors details by law until a contract was signed?

Still Clueless!!
Jen

Hi all,

My partner and I currently live in Mickleham (soon to change) but just bought our first investment property in South Melbourne, and would love to attend one of these property investment meetings, either in the Sth East Melb suburbs, or anywhere else in the Melbourne area (if they exist). Any information on these meetings would be much…[Read more]

Thanks for all the help!!

Am I right in assuming then that: I can use the FHOG to purchase a property, (rent it out for the first 6 months, live in it the follow 6 months or longer) and initially be able to consider it an investment property – i.e. if settlement occurs before June 30th of this year, we can claim those deductions I previously…[Read more]

Thanks for all the answers!!

I have now fully read the http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au website (thanks Derick), so with that in mind, am I correct in saying:

1. The real estate agent must submit our offer in writing to the vendor, regardless of what (if any) initial deposit we decide to pay?

2. We can choose not to pay the “balance of the deposit…[Read more]

Is it possible that the 10% deposit is the real estate agents’ policy, or are they just trying to bluff us?

Also, they told me on our original offer, that in order to submit our offer in writing (rather than a verbal offer – i.e. BEFORE the offer was even submitted in writing) it was their policy that we must give them that 1% deposit check…[Read more]

Thanks Derek,

Do you know if that also applies to depreciation of the property?

Cheers,
Jen

I’m curious, what is the 6 year CGT exemption – is that only for ppor?

Cheers,
JenD

Hi Rob,

Here are the answers to your questions:

I am looking at buying an investment property in a rural area of Victoria or South Australia or North Queensland (this is where I have found some positive cashflow areas that have met my criteria of +10% yield)

I am based right now in Mickleham, VIC – which is about 10km from Melbourne Airport,…[Read more]

Thank you Dan,

Maybe you (or someone else) can help me with some more questions – I am considered a “Resident for Tax Purposes” in Australia because I have been living here since 1999. (I also obviously pay taxes in the USA as I am a citizen)

Also, I am considered to be in a “defacto relationship” since I have been with my boyfriend since 2000…[Read more]