Yes we are very lucky!  I took 4wks annual vacation leave + 2wks long service leave. Lots of people wouldnt have long service though.

I bought two properties in the US in Nov 2010, but they rejected my ITIN application because the properties werent rented by 31 Dec so I hadn't earned any US income in the 2010 fiscal year. 

I have two cash-positive 3br homes in Texas. Bought $55K, rehab around $5000 each, rent $800/mth each. Property management very good. The high Aussie dollar means the $ stay in my US bank account though so the mortgage gets paid from my full-time wages – never thought I'd become a currency trader!.Was a lot easier to do than I expected and I w…[Read more]

Dont be silly Leo, Australians are just as greedy as Americans and everyone else in the world for that matter – its a basic human trait to want a reward for no effort!I think there will need to be a significant drop in employment before there is an American-style crash in Australian property prices. Plus there is still the matter of low supply i…[Read more]

Never mind – they backed down and agreed with me! We're booking a Public Notary in South Australia for closing next week. Sorted! 

You're so welcome – I remember how hard it was to find the right info when I was starting out. I think you're quite right about the difference between a co-op and a condo. My understanding is that with a co-op, the owners have to give their permission for anyone to buy/sell/rent in the complex – too much trouble, if you ask me!  Sorry, I havent…[Read more]

Hi buymore, I use http://www.neighborhoodscout.com as an initial source of info about good/bad neighborhoods. It provides crime rates, school ratings, and appreciation rates for each neighborhood. Next, go to http://www.city-data.com for the opinions of the people that live there. Ongoing costs are not much different from Aussie property: Property taxes (like…[Read more]

Hi Rps13, I use http://www.neighborhoodscout.com as an initial source of info about good/bad neighborhoods. It provides crime rates, school ratings, and appreciation rates for each neighborhood. Next, go to http://www.city-data.com for the opinions of the people that live there. Also, you should check this site out http://www.buyingpropertyinusa.net/ which is…[Read more]

Thanks for the advice guys – Richard, your site is great, lots of good useful information. It was Chase Bank that I tried to get an account, but it was a suburban branch so maybe they didnt have the correct info for non-residents. I've just booked my flight back there for Sept, so I'll try again when I get there. I also tried to set up an LLC…[Read more]

Thanks Ambosh. Looks like a direct transfer is the way to go – I guess I dont have a choice without a bank account. Yeah, I had a look at the HSBC website for USA – first there is no HSBC branch in the State I'm going to, but also noted that there is a requirement to maintain a $100K account balance! or a $50 per month fee. Neither is ideal for m…[Read more]

Chris, while I havent bought property in USA yet (going over in April), I've been researching heavily and seeking advice on Aussie, American and European property investment forums.The problem of being ripped off by property managers is really common and it seems that the only way to effectively control them is through the legal agreement written…[Read more]

I think you're getting confusing advice because there are so many options for you!  You're in a great position , but it's really difficult to answer your question. There's no "right way" to invest in property – people have made money in so many different ways. There is literally "a world of choices" for you.As you're a beginner, I suggest in…[Read more]

Thanks guys. I guess I'm just having one of those "I-dont-know-what-I-dont-know" moments, as we all do I suppose.Have just been reading about trust structures, but since I'm still using negative gearing, I thought I would wait until my first IP finally turns cash flow positive in around 8 months and then set up a discretionary trust.

I have a 1990 Diahatsu Mira. I put off buying a new car in favour of paying off my PPOR. Then I put it off in favour of putting deposits on IPs. Now I'm putting it off because I have 4 mortgages and cant afford a new car!  One day….

I work with a bunch of economists & they're all predicting at least one 0.25% rate rise this year, maybe two. It's all to do with inflation rising too fast apparently.