A removal (shift there) type house sounds like you're on the money – depending on what you can find closeby and how much renovation it may need.Check the council rules regarding any re-building that may be needed after the place has been moved.  I've been caught out on doing a removal once before and had to virtually rebuild the whole thing due…[Read more]

Is it possible to install insulation in the roof  from the inside?  Even thin styrofoam type insulation would be better than nothing.  Can you post a link to the insulating paint for us?  I'm interested to read what they have to say about this stuff!!!Vicky.

Let us know how you get on with your offer Rubberducky.Vicky

I'm speaking only of NZ here ….Less people flooding to OzzieForeign immigration to NZ is still positiveKiwis returning home due to world economyI'm finding a lot of properties that are $50+ a week positive cashflow.For example:  I  have 2 x 3-bed properties on a freehold cross-lease title available for NZ $282K  (AUD $221K).  Rents are $53…[Read more]

I've not noticed main roads as having any lower prices than back streets.  Probably your perception because it's not what you'd like.  Ask some rental managers what they think in terms of rentability.Vicky

I'm of the "buy now" camp if it is already positively geared, it's only going to get better as rents rise.The problem with waiting for interest rates to drop further is how will you know when they've bottomed out?  You wont' know until they start going up again .   Same for house prices.I reckon if it's positive today, BU…

Personally, I think "offers over" and "neg over" is just "Agent Speak" for my vendor has over-priced this house and not listened to me or the market, OR, the agent has no clue what price it should be at to sell.  Maybe the vendor is just testing the market to see if someone will bite at a ridiculous price.If a property is that over priced, wait…[Read more]

I wouldn't have any hesitation buying a RENTAL on a main road, especially beachfront.  Not sure what is putting you off the idea.  Millions upon millions of people are more than happy to live in noisy main road locations, near train stations, with train tracks right behind their houses, on motorway feeder roads.Maybe give us some idea about your p…[Read more]

How about some good old insulation?  Pink batts?  Wool?  Styrofoam even?I can't imagine that paint would have much in the way of insulating qualities!!!  Kinda scary to think that in such a hot climate as Ozzie someone has built a house with zero insulation.  I lived in Canada for a number of years and we had masses of insulation in the hous…[Read more]

Once you've confirmed your agent is actually doing something to get the place tenanted, how about advertising it with "ONE WEEK FREE RENT"?  Better to get someone in now and give away a week than have it vacant for another month or more.  You may also find you can maintain your higher rent by giving a free week.In NZ we have property managers t…[Read more]

Sad, very sad.But, we've"made our own nest voting these idiots in that are happy to provide all the handouts.  It's no different in NZ, just slightly racially skewed, but no different.How sad, the children being born to these people really have absolutely NO chance.Vicky

Read this and listen to the interview (click on radio) …..  http://www.thegreatbustahead.com/ From the website…2008 was the victim of a self inflicted sub-prime financial crisis. This has nothing to do with the demographics based massive depression that is yet to come, as described in the book. The sub-prime consequences are however very s…[Read more]

skuz wrote:
Ok, so it seems like the general consensus is that property prices will fall marginally or perhaps stay stagnant for the near future. I guess all the "success" stories I read in API magazine about people acquiring 10 properties in 5 years is probably gone for the time being. But is it truly that gloomy?

Well, that's NOT what I'm s…[Read more]

Best thing you can do is go and sit down with the local planning department and ask them these questions.  They are the people who will be making the decisions about what you can and can't build on the land, so best find out from them.  Ask them what an "estate development' is.I would be horrified if councils are saying you can't rent a house!  Wh…[Read more]

I'm in New Zealand, but the houses on Hill street in Coona look really nice to me.  Lovely tree-lined street, big sections, lots of trees on most sections, pretty barron looking though, not much activity or people or cars around …………………… use the fantastic resources at hand –>> GOOGLE MAPS     and search on Hill Street, Coo…[Read more]

Have you spoken with your lawyer and accountant about this?  Maybe better to put the house in a family trust to protect BOTH of you.Vicky

Joe, be very very careful putting any property in your own personal name.  If you are ever sued for anything, your property will be the first thing the other side's lawyer is eyeing up!!  Best it NOT be in your personal name, because you just never know what is likely to happen in the future.  That is why trusts were set up, to protect people's pr…[Read more]

Joe,I'm thinking a target audience would be good, esp. if you are going to have more than say 2 flats in the complex, i.e. you wouldn't want little old ladies mixing with gang members or families with kids yahoo-ing all day.  I've found it's very important to get the people-mix right if you've got more than a couple of flats close by.  As for o…[Read more]

What is the rental market like in Humpty Doo?   (great names you Ozzies have for your towns btw!!!!)  What is your target audience for these flats?  students?  elderly?  single mums?  families?It's a simple numbers game, how much rent will you get for the knock-up 2-3 beder vs. the nice kit home?  What ype of properties are in demand in Humpty…[Read more]

I'm all for licensing property managers if it improves the investor's experience.  Maybe licensing them will weed out some of the shonky operators too!Vicky