That property is still for sale, and with 3 different agents which tells you something. Looking at market rents for 1 bed in Toowoomba it is < $200. The builder is paying over the top money to bolster the price. The key consideration is how long is the lease for and what will the market rent it for if he leaves. The expenses including 80% loan at…[Read more]

I wouldn’t say my US accountant is creative, but have found them reliable, responsive, knowledgeable and at a reasonable price.
Christine Bombard from http://www.bultynck.com/

Which agent are you using in Kansas city?

I find the tenants in my US properties are like locusts and keep costing a lot in repairs, though some a stable and OK.

Hi Samantha,

If you haven’t done it already, invest some money first in education. I would recommend Steve’s property apprentice course for a good grounding in property investing. For a four thousand or so dollars it could save you tens of thousands in doing due diligence and going after right deal. The starting point of the course is working…[Read more]

Hi Samantha,

If you haven’t done it already, invest some money first in education. I would recommend Steve’s property apprentice course for a good grounding in property investing. For a four thousand or so dollars it could save you tens of thousands in doing due diligence and going after right deal. The starting point of the course is working…[Read more]

Hi Samantha,

If you haven’t done it already, invest some money first in education. I would recommend Steve’s property apprentice course for a good grounding in property investing. For a four thousand or so dollars it could save you tens of thousands in doing due diligence and going after right deal. The starting point of the course is working…[Read more]

I increased The height in a lower room that was 2.2m to 2.4m by digging the floor, underpinning the footing and dropping the slab. Cost including extra drainage was about $25,000

I currently pay 4.84% on $945K (65% lvr) which is based on the bank bill swap rate of about 2.8% + a line margin which the bank calculates based on your risk profile which in my case is about 2%.
This is on a 3 month rolling period so the rate can be adjusted every 3 months based on bbsy and I pay a fee every 3 months for the rest, I think of…[Read more]

I have investments in commercial properties both directly and through syndicates.
My direct properties return direct yields of around 12% (which is high through negotiation, market timing and selection) and through borrowing 65% at 5% my cash on cash (coc) returns are above 20%. Typically commercial returns I would expect are 8% but as per above…[Read more]

I have investments in commercial properties both directly and through syndicates.
My direct properties return direct yields of around 12% (which is high through negotiation, market timing and selection) and through borrowing 65% at 5% my cash on cash (coc) returns are above 20%. Typically commercial returns I would expect are 8% but as per above…[Read more]

The US passive income fund is an easy way to gain exposure to both the US currency and commercial property market. 
Some of my reasons for investing in it are:

Experience of Steve and the team involved in property investments

Integrity and transparency of Steve

Investment philosophy of purchasing positive cashflow properties at below…[Read more]

The US passive income fund is an easy way to gain exposure to both the US currency and commercial property market. 
Some of my reasons for investing in it are:

Experience of Steve and the team involved in property investments

Integrity and transparency of Steve

Investment philosophy of purchasing positive cashflow properties at below…[Read more]

I recently filed a tax return for my LLC which has an EIN. The IRS sent it back with a box checked I need an SSN or ITIN and that I need to fill out a W7 form. SSN would be preferable I think, as most things you fill out in US seem to want an SSN.

I’m using affinity insurance for properties in ohio, kansas city, st louis, milwaukee. Have not had problems insuring them, but I they are all owned through LLCs, not directly by me.

I did have to specify when they were vacant, and think I had to pay a higher premium until tenant moved in.
In the mean time homeless people apeared to be utilising…[Read more]

Haven't tried it myself yet as I am awaiting a critical mass of funds from rentals to minimise the % cost of transaction. I would call ozforex, I presume they have a US based account and you can do an ACH electronic transfer to them from your US account. They then do the transfer to your Aussie account.I'm using chase bank in ohio and the online…[Read more]

I’m not sure what worldinvestor is referring to with the comment

“You also need to ensure that the bank you use in US for purpose of chanelling rental funds has an affiliated bank account in Aust, otherwise you will not be complying with ATO and will be a problem.”
What specifically are you not complying with?

I have an SMSF as the member…[Read more]

I purchased a unit in 416 St Kilda road for $270K back in 1999 from central equity. I had a valuation done last year which came back at $330K – an increase of 22% in 5 years (not great!). I have consistently had it rented out at $1540 per month over that time, with little or no rent increase. The unit is OK, but last time I visited the agent said…[Read more]