I am wondering if you have ever been to the United States. People still need somewhere to live, they still need to buy food. 

The fact is when you go to America they like to shop and they like to eat

If you spent any time in America especially in Texas or Florida you would see that things are really not that bad. I am not saying that things are…[Read more]

Try going to America and see how many people are in shopping Centre. However you do need to be selective. We are not suggesting that you should buy anything.

If you are looking at commercial then you need to look at assets that have A grade tenants. I remember in Australia back in 1990 people who brought warehouses and cheap commercial property…[Read more]

I think it is also important that people understand that a commercial property can also be a residential apartment complex. In fact 4 and above apartments mean that it is treated as a commercial property. I recently looked at a 4 unit complex for around $125,000 returning around 15%

However as the US economy continues to improve we will see…[Read more]

Peter is right I have been told you can open an account outside of the US however there have been a number of recorded cases where Homeland security have been closing down accounts that cannot show evidence that the accounts were opened in person. You do not need a social security number to open a bank account.  

<moderator: delete advertising>

There are signs that the property markets are improving again in Victoria. I believe that 2013 will be a good year for investment and 2014 will be even better

Hi I was into investing in New Zealand up until November 2005 after that my focus has been in the United States where you can obtain better opportunities. In America you can buy properties and borrow around 60% and get a cash flow of around 15-16%. Now I do not think you can get this in NZ. I thin k in America you will have the added bonus of…[Read more]

You need enough Death insurance to cover all your debts and some future costs such as private school education. 1.5 million is good I think the average is about $200,000 so there is a dramatic case of under insurance

Thats my pleasure.

Naturally as a father we want to do everything to promote my daughters talent. Perhaps if you like Ellise Kibel you could like her on facebook

Thank you for your comments. Our daughter wanted to record this song for Easter. Amazing Grace was written by a Slaver who realized how wrong slavery was and spent the rest of his life fighting it but eventually saw it abolished in England. Clearly it is important to fight for what you believe in.

Hi Cummin

I would suggest that you should seek the advice of an accountant however generally you can buy in a trust however in Australia if you buy a property in a company the full 100% capital gains tax still applies so I would assume if you buy in a company for New Zealand the Australian tax office would treat it the same way. I have not been…[Read more]

No Matter who you use make sure firstly that the person you meet is the mentor

Also how will they mentor you, if all they do is charge you a fee and try and charge you a fee that is not mentoring

A good mentor should assist you to

Develop a life plan
Work out an investment plan
Help you with what you want to do
Encourage and be there to help…[Read more]

I agree Property Management  is essential if you are going to invest in the United States. Unless Property Management is included do not proceed further.

I could not agree more with Joe.  This is a first home buyer area that is more likely to fall in value than go up. Especially with many of the first home buyer areas now gone.

If you are going to buy investments cash flow is important but the only way a property increases in value is capital growth. The stronger the growth the better the long…[Read more]

I could not agree more with Joe.  This is a first home buyer area that is more likely to fall in value than go up. Especially with many of the first home buyer areas now gone.

If you are going to buy investments cash flow is important but the only way a property increases in value is capital growth. The stronger the growth the better the long…[Read more]

I have been based and even lived in San Antonio before. I love Texas. However Texas has been performing well, prices did not fall. In Florida they did fall and the difference in returns especially in apartment complexes is a lot. You may get 4-5% more of a return in Florida.

There are also strong signs that the Florida economy is now improving. I…[Read more]

The problem is that this is the worst government in Australian history. The make Gough Whitlam look like a brilliant man. Please for the sake of our country please call an election.

Sorry D you forget that The Bill Shorten is the GG son in law

What a joke they are like Lemming may they all go over the cliff

I was hoping Gillard would stay as Prime Minister so that the Australian people can throw them out. Either way lets return to a strong Liberal government

That's correct we have been told that 60% funding is reasonably straight forward. We have been told that it is possible to get a higher loan however that will depend on your own financials.

It would be a matter of arranging a line of credit with your banks. However I would tell  them that you were going invest without telling them where you were going to invest. Frankly what you do with your money is your business. I had a client who told his bank that he wanted to invest in property development and was then asked for the 10 page…[Read more]