First post and spruiking.Zaak, there are plenty of opportunities for us Aussies here in Australia. Keep your UK stock for your fellow country-men

Hey Matt,we may be in the 21st Century, however most Academic to our investing are our own errors, investigations,etc.,  the experience of others and of course a little knowledge of history. A little bit of Latin also never went astray………Caveat Emptor. Now that you are unwelcome at the Academy of the 21 st C, you'll have more time to p…[Read more]

Hi D33Small block 145,000 / 570 = $254 per sq mLarge block 160,000 / 650 = $246 per sq mLarger block is cheaper by just over $ 8 per sq m as you would expect as smaller blocks are denser price wise.As I mentioned earler, zonings even in new estates can change over time depending on the amentity and infrastrusture, transport, etc, etc. Perhaps…[Read more]

Hi Donkey33,those figures sound OK. Don't look at it as blowing an extra 100 K in equity in five or ten years as it sounds to me you have firm intention of building a portfolio and working toward financial independence. Therefore you will manufacture equity growth with the next one, and the next one, and the next one………Don't squander the…[Read more]

You may find that the lender won't want to visit a re-valuation until a good 6-12 months post construction and with tenancy underway. If it is, as you say valued at 30 K more than you're paying, I would keep the 15,000 cash (out of the deal), go for the smaller one (as it is a long term hold and unlikely to dual-occ) and get a new valuation six…[Read more]

On those figures,the 15 K saving is significant then. With land value at that level, make sure you don't spend too much on building the dwelling as you state it is going to be a renter. Look at the 15 K saved (don't go spending that on items of instant gratification…..home theatres and the like) as another deposit on a 150,000 block. Build this…[Read more]

The difference in block size ( 6.7 %) doesnt affect a tenant nor the rental.You mention and extra 15,000 for the larger block. What is the value of the two at present. A saving of 15 K on a 150,000 block represents 10 % and may be significant to your feasibility and financial situation, however if you're trying to save 15 K on a block worth say…[Read more]

Hi Glenn,It's a shame about your situation, however if you think it is all over……….it will be. Perception is projection. Your planning for three months will go down the drain if you allow it to.When some one pulls the rug from beneath you………learn to dance on a shifting carpet. If you see this as failure, it will be for you.You mention…[Read more]

Also in addition to Richard's post above, lenders usually want to see a 15-20 % return on the project end value. Check your feasibility and if it still returns 12 % you may want to consider whether it is viable for you to proceed. Ensure that you've allowed a 5 % contingency on the construction cost for your project.and if your figures of 12 %…[Read more]

Thanks for adding to this thread and helping with due diligence that forum participants need to do. Your insights, as with those of matt007 earlier confirm that research is important.Property options are so specialised that undertaking courses that do not allow any other development information to be imparted are of far lesser value than courses…[Read more]

Hi AJIn your initial post you provide price ranges of $ 280-310 K. What's your actual budget and comfortable upper limit? I could then give you an idea. For what it's worth, my bias will be toward high land content in Ringwood. Fundamentals are good. I assisted the purchase of two there last year for my nephew and sister in law……prices have…[Read more]

AJyou need to ask yourself  "why have prices decreased?"  If there has been no change in fundamentals of the area i.e: a major employer leaving or people vacating a particular area/region, then you may have an opportunity to purchase. These are by no means an exhaustive list of reasons and probably relate more to regional areas rather than a m…[Read more]

Hi AJIf you are looking in one or two areas (suburbs/precincts) then look at realestate.com.au SOLD props and get an idea on price ranges for varying sized blocks, house/unit size, condition, etc. You've even got photo's to give you a feel for the renovated ones (or not) and maps for location.Look at the sales figures (for example in Melbourne…[Read more]

Hi Xenia,I don't think that much has changed. The reason you are taking 20 new property management listings per month is becuase "YOU" are doing something right and those investors are not being attracted to other firms, or, indeed being repelled away from firms that are less than satisfactory. Like you, I was brought up with the investing m…[Read more]

Check out a book by Martin Roth and Chris Lang "How Investing in Commercial Property Really Works." It covers the topic very well.The website of Chris Lang (Gardiner and Lang) is http://www.gal.com.au. They have some fundamental info there. Maybe start there and familiarise your self with the basics as it sounds as though you will be making a decision in…[Read more]

Hi Paulyp,Don't hesitate. She is a very dynamic and knowledgable presenter. I am currently going thru her home study and intend going to the boot camp in Sydney in June. Before you order such programs it is worth attending a one or two hour seminar/workshop to ascertain if what she has to offer is for you. If you want a small snippet of what she…[Read more]

Hi Matt,your insight and honesty is appreciated. Many of us (whether we care to admit it or not) have paid for courses, homestudy kits, DVD's or CD's that have not been our cup of tea. But that's OK, because it is what due diligence is about. If something doesn't resonate with you…..better to spend a few hundred dollars or a few thousand and f…[Read more]

Hi Gary , thanks for posting your review of the two books Fitzgerald. I cannot speak for Toney and have not read any of his titles (yet), however as far as the latter Fitzgerald is concerned, John  is an outstanding individual. To this end, your opinion of genuine intent ( and not clever marketing) is correct.Having worked thru his home study…[Read more]

Hi Damo,There are many good (and not so good) property books out there. I have read numerous good ones, and one that I read later on in my investing career is by Michael Yardney, "How to Grow a Multi Million Dollar Property Portfolio – in Your Spare Time." If there  was only one book I could recommend that encapsulates most of the factors of how…[Read more]

I have read two of Ed Chans Books on how to legally reduce your tax and on SMSF. I have also heard him speak twice at events run by Michael Yardney, and spoken with him in person at same. I also have a DVD home study kit where he features. He is knowledgable,  gracious and humble although that should be evident from his replies to…[Read more]