Hi,I was just looking at this tread. Since it's been a while, I'm wondering how the journey has been for those who mentioned they were going to do tax liens. I'm considering this kind of investment and would love to hear from others who've been down that road before. Interested in finding out where you have invested, what has been hard or easy,…[Read more]

There are risks with any medical procedure, not only eye surgery. You have to weigh up the risk, seek a second opinion and decide from there. My brother had this eye surgery over 10 years ago, I had mine done about 5 years ago. Both of us consider it to be one of the best things we've ever done.

Congratulations on a fantastic start! I suspect someone with your drive isn't going to need uni. Focus on building those entrepeneurial instincts! Do uni if you really want to, but I'd also recommend reading things like 'Think & Grow Rich', 'The E-Myth', 'Richest Man in Babylon' and lots of those other…[Read more]

Hi,It's certainly worth considering the emotional side of it – can you watch someone else living in your home and not caring for it the way you do? Only you can decide that – some people are OK with it, others aren't. If you can, it's certainly worth thinking about because the capital gains tax rules make it attractive, and it's much better to…[Read more]

Hi,I'm with Erik. Go slowly, do lots of research, watch for the bargains – they are certainly around and more are likely to come. It may be worth getting that top-up loan now (and park it in an offset account) as it is getting harder and harder to get finance from the banks and if values fall, you won't be able to access as much. Sit on the money,…[Read more]

Hi Everyone,There is some good advice in the above postings. It isn't an easy path, and the more low-cost reading and self education you can do the better. It is also important that you look at your own psychology of wealth. What are your real beliefs about wealth and money? Are you truly comfortable with the idea of being wealthy? If these things…[Read more]

Usually we get a PM to look after our properties. However, we did have one that we privately managed, which worked out well. Tenant deposited straight to our bank account. As we were distant, we also paid a small fee to a local to keep an eye on the property and to handle any maintenance issues. We were happy to self manage this one, as it was a…[Read more]

Hi,Congrats on the move. I'd be inclined to hang on to what you've got, rather than sell and buy elsewhere – the changeover costs are too great and would eat too much of your equity, when you're already sitting on something that's a valuable nest egg. Sunshine Coast is a great spot with plenty of potential. If the extra $1000 a month in repayments…[Read more]

Hi,I had lasik surgery two years ago. It was the best thing I could have done. I was 38 at the time, and yes, I will probably need glasses for reading in my mid-40s, though this along the lines of not having to use them constantly, just for specific tasks.I had the surgery done in Hornsby, Sydney, and it cost me $3000 per eye. Definitely worth it…[Read more]

Hi Redwing,
Apparently, if your house is in Qld, you will probably need to rebaton and use cyclone baton screws if you choose colourbond, and you shouldn’t need this for tiles. If your house in NSW, unless it’s on beachfront or in a high wind area, you probably won’t need the baton screws. Can’t comment for other states. Please note that depending…[Read more]

Hi Everyone

My husband is a roof plumber, who installs colourbond roofs as part of his work. So thought I’d run this topic past him for comment. His thoughts:

When you look at costs, make sure you are comparing apples with apples.

There are a couple of different options with both tiles and metal roofing, and then another couple of opti…[Read more]

I agree, weigh up all comments on their merits. I’m still thankful for the “negative” comments of relatives who put me off investing in a timeshare unit when I was 20. Yet at the time, I resented what I saw as their lack of support.
However in general, I have found that those who used to be critical of our approach now hold their tongues and even…[Read more]

Today I attended the funeral of a friend who left behind three sons, the youngest of whom is just 14 and must finish growing up without a Mum. So I guess tonight I find myself musing on how do you find the balance? How do balance being there for your young family giving them a positive emotional legacy for a life, building a financiallly…[Read more]

Hi,
As a pensioner, there’s a fair chance she is receiving a reasonable amount of rental assistance, so won’t have to pay the full rise out of her own pocket. Check with Centrelink what sort of rent assistance she might be getting.
Sounds like you would have no worries getting another tenant if she does move and your current tenant will have to…[Read more]

Hi Ben,
Don’t rule out places like Mt Isa and Rockhampton. We have properties in both and they have served us very well, and the prospects for both those properties are looking very good at the moment, with tight vacancies and rents being pushed up in both places. The outlook for both towns in the immediate future is also pretty good, as the…[Read more]

Hi Endless Summer,
While I don’t know your individual circumstances and challenges, I can give you a couple of thoughts from my journey of the past few years. Our challenges, and those of many parents of young kids I know, have been financial in terms of equity and reduced income, and also time.

We have 2 children under-5. By choice we rent our…[Read more]

Hi,
Yes, my husband and I went to Michael’s Sydney property briefing. We got far more value out of it than the $55 we spent. And my husband will be going to the workshop in June. By the way, there were substantial discounts for early bookings and our expense will be far less than $3.5K. I would love to go to the workshop and would except for the…[Read more]

Hi Leanne,
You’ve probably already considered this, though it is amazing how often it is overlooked. Have you offered the property to your tenant? We’re currently selling a property to our tenant, and I know of other tenants who have bought the house they live in. Maybe you have the makings of a wrap, or if not, at least an immediate sale without…[Read more]

Hi,
I’m with RentMaster and PropertyAngel. I’ve been a tenant in the same house for 14 years (we love the place, not the landlord!). I would love my landlord to show some appreciation for the fact that we’ve been good tenants. While pizza doesn’t personally grab me, I’d still appreciate the thought it represented. What I’d really like is that when…[Read more]

Yes, I’ve been impressed by Trevor. We didn’t end up buying through him because something else came up elsewhere first. However, he has been highly professional and even though we didn’t spend our dollars with him, he is still actively helping us to get a quantity surveyor at a group price.
Cheers,
jkmt