Thanks again everyone for your thoughts,The reason I wasn't thinking that children were a big plus for trusts was from:http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/20046.htm&page=5&H5My understanding of that is a $1200 TFT with the highest marginal rate applying thereafter (for non-exempt income). If my interpretation is wrong I'd be…[Read more]

Hi Terry,I'm trying to target properties close to being neutral with reasonable hopes for longer term growth in the hopes that they will become positive cashflow in the near term; i.e. before inflation makes the carry forward loses worthless.Just out of curiosity, since my wife and I earn approximately the same income (hence no benefit to…[Read more]

Old post I know, but I believe if you rented it for the first 3 years before you move in you will need to apportion the CGT i.e. if you sell after 5 years total, you will pay CGT on the first three years worth of gain and not on the second two. Further I think the tax office will work it out linearly i.e. you will pay CGT on 60% of the property…[Read more]

Hi Terry,Thanks for your reply (and so quick too!). I figured I wasn't going to find something that bent both ways Unfortunately both my wife and myself are full-time employees (no luck with self employment yet, though I am considering becoming a contractor in the near future (I'm a software engineer), so interesting that it may come into play). I…[Read more]

Thanks for your advice and help everyone, I saw the bank manager today and am sorting out the loan.
Cheers,
NE