Thanks for that Terry. I was more worried about record keeping requirements than the small amount of CGT payable, but as you say might be best to check with my accountant

Yeah i took it out myself, fairly easy. Just a screwdriver…and a hammer. And if that doesnt work a BIGGER hammer…haha. Nah seriously really straight forward, and the flat pack is just a matter of screwing together. You could have someone put this in if you cant do it. Electrician and plumber cost me $75-85 an hour and it shouldnt take them too…[Read more]

I dunno if you would think of doing it yourself but i just bought a flat pax kitchen from bunnings for my unit which was too expensive and is pretty simple to put together. Just need a plumber and sparkky to connect it all

Hey Tylon020,I am in pretty well the same position as you at the moment, bought my first property about 9 months ago, moved in about 6 months ago after renting it out for the first few months. I am really keen to get into the next property around the 200k mark and have seen some good potential properties. I have approx 5k in savings as well, but…[Read more]

Thanks Terryw, kinda thought it might be along those lines

That varies form state to state, as it is administered by state govt

Hi Boobiejo,in my experience with bodies corporate they can be a little slow in responding. However if you give them a call and run your ideas past them this should give you a pretty good idea of what you can and cant do. Really I think any structural changes may be challenging to have approved but cosmetic changes to the interior should be fine.…[Read more]

thanks attrill, um yeah i think i might give the whitegoods swap idea a miss. Think thats something along the lines of tax fraud. Might be frowned upon by our freinds in the tax office : )Thanks for the info on the bench tops too

hehe, let  us know how it goes

oh yeah the place is an actual 1br unit, at the time there were bedsits advertised at 78k, but i really didnt like the idea of a bedsit- low growth prospects, harder to rent out and more likely than not shorter term tenancies.

Hi yetanothernewbie,the unit i bought is in cairns. When i started looking about a year ago i too was struggling to narrow it down to something specific, but with a heap of research i was able to narrow it down to a few specific areas in cairns. I was also conscious of the type of area i would be investing in. For me cairns had the potential to be…[Read more]

Hi yetanothernewbie,Was in a similar situation about 4months ago. If you have done your research and it fits in with your goals then i think why not start now. As Jebro said it depends on whether you are after income or growth as to the sort of property you are looking for. Personally i knew i wanted to get into property investment but could…[Read more]

Thanks for the perspective Trish. Have thought about the situation of a furnished property attracting a lower standard of tenant, and more likely than not more transient too. I believe the rest of the complex has whitegoods and some part furnished, so not sure if i should do the same. The unit came with a kitchen table, chairs, bed and whitegoods,…[Read more]

Hi Mick, in a similar situation, though have only just started in property investing with one IP in Qld at present. Have also been looking at expanding through higher return properties, it also seems to me that with the planned expansion of the SA mining industry, coupled with lower prices and good returns that SA is hard too look past. However I…[Read more]

Thanks for the info, i liked the idea of the composite granite, but struggled to find pricing. I think, like you say at wice the price the result would be worth the extra cost. Will also check out Ken's suggestion re offcuts.regards, Jude

Hi guys,thanks for the ideas. Just found out that one of the units upstairs in a similar condition to mine has just had a rental increase to $175/week, so i think that with replacing the kitchen and repainting i should have no problems achieving something similar. On the over capitalizing issue, i think a budget of 5-6k shouldnt (i hope) be too…[Read more]

G'day Ken,The unit is approx 40sqm, batroom is in good condition, with fairly new tiling and paint job by previous owners. Kitchen is functional though very small workspace. I think this will be the main area for imorovement and value adding. Plan at present is to put in a DIY flatpax kitchen, new sink, oven, stove and fridge. Also aim to replace…[Read more]