It depends on where you want to invest. However if you are looking in the United States it is about who you have to represent you. Everyone will pitch you very few will deliver. Do your research very carefully

Clearly its better to buy when the market is flat. However what is really important is that you buy good property. In other words stay away from small apartments in the city in large blocks also avoid house and land packages in outer areas. Naturally dont touch in any market Student built accommodation. These properties will fall further than anything else once the market slows. It happens because these properties are downgraded in value by the banks because of the banks exposure.

Look at townhouses or apartments in small blocks ideally properties that will appeal to owner occupiers as well as investors. These properties will level out but not go down in value and will always appeal to quality tenants.

If someone is making a commission and they are agents or marketeers and the property is in Australia why would you not spend a few $100 bucks to fly there and see where the property is? To me this is basic due diligence. Now you can look at photos and sales in the area and thats what you would do to start with. However photos may not show the car bodies in the house across the road or the brothel next door or even the overall neighborhood.

The only real way to get a solid feel or the area is to drive their and go through all the side streets around the property.

You are looking to buy in two high priced markets

Have you considered investing in the United States. It has just come off record lows and still has a lot of growth to go.

Personally I am always wary of companies where no people are mentioned.

My business has always been transparent. You know who and what you are dealing with. if no one is mentioned be very careful

Thanks Don for your comments and I fully endorse what you are saying

The main reason to invest in the United States is to develop a portfolio. In my opinion the US market has 5 years of solid growth in front of it. Where the Australian market is at the peak of the boom.

However we are trading property rather than buying it for a straight investment. Also look at multifamily. We are also examining vacation homes in Orlando that are provide very high returns. We also have a hotel product.

Our goal is to make clients money

The only advantage of buying in a company is if your were trading property in other words turning over 2 or 3 a year.

However if you buy in a trust its my understand that you still get the 50 percent capital gains tax discount

If you are talking about small apartments then do not touch them

There are over 4000 apartments coming out of the ground in Melbourne alone so the only way the values go will e down with less tenants. The only student accommodation I would consider would be a house where you can rent rooms because it can be sold as a house

The answer is yes but its a complex area

The best person to deal with this is Ivan from Redwood he is based in Melbourne but knows his stuff better than anyone I have dealt with especially when it comes to buying property through a self managed superfund.

If anyone asks me about buying property in the US through a superfund I put them in touch with Ivan.

He is on the forum but can be contacted on 0425 622 226

Most Americans have a can do attitude the problem is they don’t have a cant do attitude. Many Americans will tell you everything is possible even when it is not. So if you are going to do it yourself I suggest you focus on one area and put aside plenty of time.