No need to talk to them in person these days. Everything can be done via phone, fax and email. There are two great mortgage brokers on this site that many forum members have used, myself included, without ever meeting in person. At least you know they are just as passionate about property investing as most people on here and not just turning out loans for a paycheck.

-Nathan

Hi Rudra,

I couldn't really see it being a positive thing?! Most first home owners I know have had to buy an old cheapie as a foot in the door to the property market. And it's a great way to learn renovation skills and add equity. In my opinion even though it is double the amount there will probably be less people claiming it, which will be saving the government money. Right or wrong it should be interesting to see how it effects the Queensland property market!

Cheers,

Nathan

In my opinion Townsville is a far better investment spot than cairns. Cairns is too reliant on tourism and with the high Aussie dollar and troubles with overseas economies I can't see that picking up too soon. Apart from tourism there isn't really many other industries in cairns. Townsville on the other hand has a rapidly expanding military base, is a large regional government hub and benefits from the mining boom while not being reliant on it. 

I am from a small town between these two cities so I spent a lot of time at both, personally I love Cairns but do not see it as a good place to invest at this point of time anyway.

Just my opinion anyway. Good luck with it all.

Cheers,

Nathan

Hi BellaAnderson,

Can you explain why you think this is a good deal against everyone else's warnings?

-Nathan

What about bundaberg or rockhampton? Or even a cheap  house in Townsville. They are all relatively cheap regional hubs effected by the mining boom but not reliant on it.

Just a few more ideas fort you.

Cheers,

Nathan

Hi Matthew,

In Queensland are you looking at mining towns or regional hubs or sticking to  areas around the capital city?

What are your favourite picks for qld?

-Nathan

I can personally recommend Jamie (above). I live in a remote mining town in Queensland, 1000's of km's away from where Jamie is based but everything is so easy with phone and email. Plus he obviously knows his stuff….

-Nathan

Personally I wouldn't touch Cairns at the moment. It is way too reliant on the tourism industry which obviously isn't going too great at the moment, And I believe there is an oversupply of units available there as well. Not too sure what the vacancy rate is like but that could be an issue? There are heaps of bargains there at the moment but it could be quite a while before you see any capital growth. Maybe your hard earned money is better else where?

In saying that I do have a soft spot for Cairns as I used to live in that area.

Just my opinion anyway

Cheers,

Nathan