I have done both over the years it comes done to your knowledge and time available. One thing I have often done is let out the properties myself therefore I work out who to put into my properties and I do a very detailed check on clients and I then get the agent to look after the day to day management.

It is my experience that when it comes to projects you need to look at bigger projects and ideally buy the land and then obtain permits. That is the best way to make a profit. The problem with small developments is that you are normally competing with other investors and small builders. What I do is partner with other investors then look to buy a…[Read more]

I think that depends on where you are looking to develop

I would be careful about buying properties that might return 6% in low growth areas. These deals may sound great now but when rates move up to 7% as they will in time these deals will not look to attractive. In Australia unless you are in the mining areas.it is difficult to get high returns. You can get much higher returns in the United States but…[Read more]

I agree with the other generally I would look at a smaller block. You might want to also look at an older block. There seems to be a move to building smaller apartments today where a block even 10 years old may be larger and therefore may also appeal to owner occupiers which could mean higher growth. However it is also important to look at…[Read more]

I agree it is a very competitive market however there are good deals out there. However the secret is that you must have a team on the ground doing the work.

Under no circumstances should you sign up to one of the many sites offering bank owned homes and try and buy they without having someone check them out. If you do you are taking a massive…[Read more]

The biggest problem with defense housing is that they are often based in secondary locations, secondly they are often on 10 year leases with expensive property management and growth in these properties can also be quite low. In you are selective on the areas you are investing in its not that hard to find good tenats

Hi Another company is AFEX. Thy are very similar for ozforex. I have used them a number of times. They us the current exchange rate and lock it in and its costs you nothing.

i think it is a shame that there are so many people offering Mentoring services that only really set out to sell you a property. I also run a mentoring program and yes I do charge for it. However I would be happy to talk to you without any charge and see if I can at least help you with what direction you are going in. I am in the United States but…[Read more]

Yes its a great place to invest

GIVE ME A BREAK

there are much safer markets than detroit

I have over the years spoken directly with Vendors. I have done this for myself and for clients. However it has nothing to do with commission. The agent managing the property has a legal right to get paid. My motivation is to find out the vendors real motivation for selling. In many cases an agents main job is to protect a vendor from themselves.…[Read more]

A written offer must be on a contract with a deposit which is known as consideration. In other words if the owner accepts your offer the agent knows that the deal is going to go through. An email is not an enforceable offer. You may also be interested to know that if you buy a property at Auction you have not purchased the property until the…[Read more]

It really comes down to how well you know the area. I would suggest that you firstly target the area that you want to invest in.Then then inspect all the properties for sale that are in your range and then track them from week to week. I have been doing this for years,

It is important to remember that agents work for the owners not you. If you ask an agent about a price and the property is going to auction then they will tell you the highest figure that they think you would pay. Or they may low quote you to get more interest. Either way it is important that you do your due diligence carefully. You should never…[Read more]

The only way is to sign a contract with a deposit. By law the have to pass on the offer. However the agent does not have to pass on a verbal or an emailed offer because it is not enforceable. With a written contract if they accept you d have to proceed. However it is important that you buy subject to finance, building inspection so that you have…

I think that there is a danger that the Geelong market may take a hit. Julia will not be in a position to help anyone except her own pension fund

With business closing the perception of a falling employment will be enough to flatten prices. 

You would not buy house and land that sort of distance from the city so you would look at either existing homes, townhouses or apartments.

Hi Jay

An offer by email in most cases will not be looked at. An offer is really only if its in writing with a deposit. This way the agent will always treat your offer seriously. 

I have made verbal offers in the past, but because I have worked as an agent they will talk to me.

My suggestion is if you like a property, make a written…[Read more]

If you are looking in Brisbane and I think this is a good market to invest in, I would look at properties that are around 5 or 6 km from the city center. Naturally you have to look at your budget but the inner city market should show strong growth over the next few years.

I think that Brisbane is still undervalued

Out of all the states I think that Brisbane offers very good medium term buying opportunities.

However what happens is that when a market is improving it starts from the center and moves out. What I would suggest is look at properties that are around 5 or 6km from the city center. Providing you do your…[Read more]