Originally posted by The Mortgage Adviser:

If people looked to education instead of trying to find ‘THE ANSWER’ in a single seminar, they would be much better served.

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I agree – they should get educated. But – if seminars are such a no-no in your book, then where are you suggesting that they gain the knowledge from?

Personally, I learn…[Read more]

Originally posted by The Mortgage Adviser:
Originally posted by Luci:
(Just look at Kerry Packer. After deductions he apparently only has a taxable income of $25,000!)

Maybe because he only pays himself a small wage and does not collect dividends from his company share ownership and most of his assets and toys (cars, etc) are owned by the…[Read more]

Originally posted by kay henry:
Terry,

Unless the HK seminar attendees were forced into attending, then they can hardly cry poor when the spruiker goes down. Wouldn’t one know that if one paid 36k for seminars, then it would be a waste of money? C’mon.

kay henry

Have you attended a HK seminar? Then how do you know it was a waste of money?

The…[Read more]

Every industry has seminars, and if other industries are allowed to deduct theirs then I don’t see how the ATO can target property investors to not be eligible.

If you use said knowledge to earn money that is then taxed by the ATO, how can this not be considered a valid expense? 36k does sound pricey to me, but there are many people who would…[Read more]

If you pop down to the relevant council and ask, they should be able to give you the rate payer’s name and postal address. They may charge you a small fee for this service.

This information will only be as accurate as the ratepayer has kept council – the same address that the council sends the bill to.

If property seminars aren’t tax deductible, then does that mean we don’t have to pay tax on property bought/sold/rented?

Sounds like a case I’d be taking to court – if the ATO are happy to profit from the fruits, then they can hardly ignore the planting costs.

Unless in that particular case the guy didn’t actually make any money? Invested poorly?

It might mean that the bricks weren’t fired properly when created, and are therefore inferior in quality.

As the only place that the bricks are showing damage are on the steps (a heavy wear area, as well as weathered) it may not be a major issue. You may be able to work round it by rendering the brickwork, which will protect the bricks from more…[Read more]

Haven’t done it myself, but it shouldn’t be a problem if the granny flat will meet council requirements for housing and you get DA approval for any structural alterations.

Your council should have a document of their residential development requirements on their website.

I’d say big vs small isn’t the issue so much as good vs dodgy.

My partner has been working in construction for 10 years in the bigger end of construction (units, shopping centres, office blocks etc) as well as doing small residential for us privately as investment.

The key is to see what the company has done previously, and talk to past clients.…[Read more]

As with any property strategy, this type of thing might work for some people – but will be a disaster for others. Some people are simply not renovation minded, and will end up wasting their time and money.

Biggest renovation problem in the area I’ve been investing in is that it is incredibly difficult to get tradespeople to a) answer your calls,…[Read more]

Depends on the cost of your house (sliding scale of charges and rebates in each state).

“Landowners are generally liable for land tax when the unimproved value of taxable land exceeds certain thresholds. In some states there are deductions and rebates available, depending on the use of the land. Principal places of residence are usually exempt…[Read more]

Definitely negotiate a discount one way or another – and expect that you’ll probably also have to give one if you ever sell.

One thing about building/pest inspections is that in these days of litigation they have to note down each and every minor detail that could possibly cause a problem, even if it’s only a slight likelihood. If something comes…[Read more]

I don’t know the area either, but on top of what others have said:

You could start promoting your house yourself (in addition to the agent)
– drop flyers in mail boxes in the area,
– post on community/tafe/uni notice boards,
– email all your contacts letting them know that you have a house for rent if they (or someone they know) is looking,
-…[Read more]

I wouldn’t assume that the other buyer has done their due diligence just because you’ve been told they’re a property investor (the fact that he has made an offer when he doesn’t have access to adeqaute finance might be a warning sign).

I agree with Robert that you should make an offer lower than the highest auction bid (or lower than the alleged…[Read more]

As far as capital value goes – sounds like a case of instant equity!

If you’re considering development – as buzzwells mentioned you need to see what the council will allow in your area.

Also look around and see if the property/suburb is likely to garner interest from developers in both the near and distant future. See what other developments…[Read more]

All this will be specific to where it is that your land is being built.

A duplex is only a good idea if you are building it in an area where duplexs are considered acceptable housing – otherwise you may find it would be more financially beneficial to build free standing homes (which means you could actually subdivide and build one at a time -…[Read more]

You’re right in that it is sure going to take you more than a few hours searching the net to find cf+ positive properties.

However, they are out there. March issue of property investor has some Residex stats of the year leading up till September 2004 for rental returns postcode by postcode. Plenty are cf+.

But, as mentioned by others, there are…[Read more]

Originally posted by Qlds007:
Kerwyn

You just dont get do you.
Non disclosure is a simple act of FRAUD.

Topic closed

Cheers Richard
richard at castlewhite.com.au
Email me for details of our Qld wrap CD which gives you a full Installment Contract.

Perhaps you don’t get it, Richard. No one has said anything about not disclosing the…[Read more]

I’m sure the vendor will have no problem with you dropping them a note or a quick phone call to mention the offer – as long as it’s not construed as a pressure measure. Just be friendly, positive about the house, and say something along the lines ‘I’m not sure if the agent’s had a chance to tell you, but I put in an offer for X amount’.

I guess it partly depends on who you are trying to sell it to as to where you advertise it.

The majority of people looking to buy will either go through agents or look online via one of the big property websites http://www.domain.com.au and property.com.au. Locals may notice a place is for sale by the for sale sign out the front.

If seeking property…[Read more]