I think it sounds like a great idea. Where you need to do due diligence is with the builder you use do not go with the cheapest  but look at whether it is a fixed price quote or not. Also ask for customers that have been happy with their work.

well my comments could also apply to inner city areas of regional cities will also show long term growth figures. Now if a property in a regional area  is $250,000 and growing at 10% it is from a lower base but is affordable and would still be better than buying a house and land package in an outer area.

It is also a matter of looking at long…[Read more]

The other thing you need to watch when buying off the plan is size. Most people have no ideas looking at plans to determine just how big an apartment is.

So if a one bedroom is at least 50 square meters plus balcony thens its ok

A two bedroom should be around 70 square meters plus balcony

The reason I say plus balcony is because in some states…[Read more]

Hi Luke

I could not agree with Jacqui more. If you look at inner city areas and look at the growth over 10 years it should give you an indication as to how the suburb should perform over the long term.

I will just add that it is important to look at short term figures you know market falls by 5%, normally referring to the last three months. Keep…[Read more]

Although I have nothing against off the plan, what you need to watch out for especially the large developers is that you often pay for future prices in other words you over pay on the front end and may end up with a short fall at the other end. Personally I would stick to smaller blocks say no more than 35. Also consider buying just as an…[Read more]

You should always make sure that all clauses are included in the contract. Frankly it was not up to the agent to not put the clauses up. There job is to put up the offer as you request.

Jacqui is right if you have any doubts get your solicitor to check the contract twice. I am sure that he or she would have insisted that the clauses have been…[Read more]

Again it comes down to doing your due diligence very carefully. 

One advantage in Victoria is if you buy a property off the plan you are only charged stamp duty on the land component, so its possible that if you buy a $500,000 apartment you may only pay a few thousand dollars for stamp duty. Now if you buy anywhere else in Australia stamp duty is…[Read more]

My view is if you are staring off rather than buy a first home I would rent and buy an investment property.

Firstly when you buy an investment you can take 80% of the projected rent into the servicing of the loan, in other words you can buy a better property than you could afford to live in.

Often you can also afford to rent a property that you…[Read more]

Always interesting Stratum came before strata. The main difference is that Strata you are buying an apartment or townhouse where you are buying the whole thing that can also include that land around the unit, where stratum you are buying the space between the walls. So clearly strata was an improvement. 

Take your pick there are lots of these companies, financial planners, accountants all who flog these things I have heard that some of the house and land people are paying as much as $50,000 commission in Cairns. Thats why before you do anything do your due diligence carefully. 

You can only seek legal advice I would also suggest you talk to the bank. Rarely do banks want to take properties back especially when the values are not there. My experience is if you are in trouble ask the bank for a deal, they will often comply

This is why doing your due diligence is so important before you buy. If the only advice or due…[Read more]

I agree with Richard, however rather than buy houses I think you are better off in higher growth areas with perhaps a townhouse 

The whole purpose of a self managed super fund is to buy properties with the highest level of capital growth because at the end of the day it is the only way to build the value of a self managed fund. Generally a more expensive property will produce a higher level of capital growth. 

Cash flow alone will not help in a self managed super fund and…[Read more]

Yes Company share apartments can have restrictions in the company rules such as you may not be able to rent the property out. Or have pets.

It has also been my experience that very few banks will lend on company share and when you do it might only be 60 or 70%. However I have not looked at company share so the rules may have changed. Both Richard…[Read more]

I have a full time business partner in Florida as well

If you really liked Florida and Texas why are you pushing Detroit

Thanks Big John

I think information is very important however you success or failure to a large degree will depend on who you are working with in the United States. Thats where you need to focus your due diligence.

Hi Jane

Firstly you need to be assessed to see what you can borrow

Secondly do your research carefully. In my view I would look at where you can get the best capital growth. Now I am based in Melbourne but I think inner city Brisbane is a good place to buy at present. I think it is undervalued and is likely to go up over the next few years

Hi Tracee

If you have a $100,000 thats great but it also depends on your income. However what you should be doing is buying for capital growth and to do that you are more likely to achieve that in a major city than Bendigo. But avoid the city and areas such as Docklands that will become over supplied. Personally I am based in Melbourne and I am…[Read more]

if you have a passion for property development go and knock on some doors tell them what you want to do ask if you can attend meeting hang around, maybe do odd jobs. If people see your passion they will give you a go..

Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams.

I would suggest that you should get a job in the industry and learn as much as you can. Just reading will not be enough. After a while experience will often provide you with the answers. What I would suggest is firstly pin point and area then get to know the values like the back of your hand. Once you have done this then you at least understand the values.