One of the main reasons Bitcoins will not achieve mainstream success will be that it is not pinned against any security or intrinsic value. Ie our centralised currency is pinned against (from memory) the gold standard. and currencies used to even include gold content in coins… "cash" began as a certificate system against your gold holding… ie.…[Read more]

I saw a full 94sqm kit home on display at Bunnings for $46k + $5k installation. with a 10 year warranty! 

http://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/planners/modular-building-planner 

Not sure what your resale would be, but definitely a good granny flat idea for some extra cash flow.

Interesting.

It's very difficult to speculate on the future of digital currency like bitcoins. Any currency that is decentralized from any government, not attached to any intrinsic value and 100% digital will make people (and governments) uncomfortable. many baby boomers don't even trust 100% online bank accounts offered by the big 4.

your guess…[Read more]

It's funny how 'they know' they will get you a 100% return… 

Letter to Santa:

Please give me the Crystal Ball this company has so I can know what returns I will get in the future.

… sorry already getting smashed with xmas music in the shops…. im already loosing it.

Personally I would only invest if i knew the area like the back of my…[Read more]

No worries Tommy. 

There are a few good options to build up some good cash in a 12 months period to get closer to that required balance to look at property investment.

Also Richard is right, you will most likely be looking at non-bank lenders, but this comes with possible higher interest rates which could negate any gains you make from the…[Read more]

yeah agreed Terry. but we outsource this to solicitors, or the client's solicitor sets this up

Terry, Nope. A dangerous financial planner.

Hi Creasy23,

firstly, $7k is far too steep for set up. We are closer to the $2,200 mark for property set up with limited recourse borrowing ability, legals and fees.

Your super balance is not the final decider We have both set up SMSF's and helped people invest in property for less. From a lending point of view the bank will take into…[Read more]

Any of the finance guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but getting any finance with $50k is going to be tricky. take into account legals, stamps and loan fees your already eating into that 50. not to mention SMSF set up fees ($0 – $3,000), your first years audit (good to have set aside – $500+) + insurances. 
And good luck finding a lender that will…[Read more]

Thanks Richard,

I'm wondering if it the growth and reflection in housing prices will be sustained after the games are over?

Would be interesting to hear from someone that saw the Sydney Olympics come and go.

The ol' Gen Y career shift!

From personal experience, you would need to be crushing sales and earning good comm. to hit 6 figures as a payg mortgage broker. Self-employed would be a different story.

There are a few companies that offer financial planning internships (that have an AFSL) but you would be taking a 50% pay cut on your 6 figures.…[Read more]

Not wanting to slag anyone off… (and biting my tong over their name)

You can quite effectively utilise sites like 'on the house' and real estate dot com for their search filter Australia-wide to suss out your own potential investment suburbs. 

Make a list of your top 10 suburbs (Australia-wide or state-wide) and then Pro and con each. 

Go to…[Read more]

wow. I honestly thought GDP was on the up. is that global figure distorted by China's slump though?

How do you think this will play on the AU housing market? and Interest rates?

Agreed with Mark.

Personally i purchased my first home 9 months ago and opted for a 35+ year old brick and tile place. building and pest came up immaculate. I even had my brother who is a structural engineer laser-level measure the block and the house had moved 4mm in 30 years. We just had the driest winter in a while on the Gold Coast and now im…[Read more]

Don't know the Sydney market too well. but i would definitely only invest in areas you know well.

If it's looking like your salary will not increase in the near future then it may be worth your while to look at purchasing 2 (one unit one house for diversity) higher yielding properties between 300 – 400 and dropping 60k on each. This will put you…[Read more]

Qlds007 wrote:
Next thing we will be hearing that a SMSF can invest in a luxury car such as a Bugatti Veron and use it on weekends only as long as you clean before it goes back.

Don't laugh @Qlds007 we received at least a dozen phone calls over the past 12 months from under 30 year olds with $30k in their super wanting us to set them up an…[Read more]

Personally I think im going to keep my PPOR loan variable. Ride the wave. But its Clive Palmer's first day in Parliament today. God knows what could happen  

From my understanding, yeah your right, I think you would be up for stamps on both 1 and 2. And you would be right with exemption on 1 given its your PPOR and discounted over time on 2.
But perhaps someone with a little more Dev experience could shed some light. I'm keen to follow as personally the wife and I are considering this on our PPOR.

If…[Read more]

You would need to insulate the absolute s#!t out of it. I remember unpacking containers as a part time job while I was at uni and it could reach up to 55 degrees in side when sitting in the sun WITH THE DOOR OPEN. 

You could definitely over charge some hipster/indie uni students to live in it. its 'hip' and not to mention environmentally…[Read more]

No problem.

A good financial adviser would look at your whole situation. Not just try to find you the best loan like a mortgage broker.  
@Jamie M – true, however on the flip side, I highly doubt a mortgage broker would ever advise someone not to take out a mortgage… where does their income come from? and a Mortgage broker cannot give any…[Read more]