dtrump wrote:
I find it confusing that they take a 2% fee….how is that incentive to get a lower price for you?

It is not regulated – just like the REA selling – it is whatever the BA and you can agree on. Some charge a fixed fee – which I think is better. Some charge a % of the purchase price. Some charge a % of the saving they get you off…[Read more]

Your Q boils down to: Should I sell a good performing IP to get cash to fund a better PPOR for myself?So sell an investment to fund my own lifestyle? It is up to you – but not the best choice to build investment portfolio.

The problem you are going to have with 1brm studios is one of financing them. If <50m2 it can be done but there are a limited number of lenders who firstly will do it and secondly will do it at a decent LVR.Depending where the studios are, they will do OK with CG – but this is dependant on location and the (large) management fees involoved with…[Read more]

housegoodies wrote:
Can anyone recommaned a good building inspecting company

  It would help if you mentioned where you were. Ones we use are approx $400.

housegoodies wrote:
Find one on the net but the costs is $860 and it does not even offer structural guarantee.

I'm pretty certain that structural guarantees come from the original builder…[Read more]

shaun3055 wrote:
My question is (finally) that how does an average person get involved in property investing and i really want to hear the stories of people who have become property investors from working an average job, and how on earth they did it?

Hi Shaun,Most property investors are average people on average incomes.Can I suggest you also…[Read more]

jowoodcroft wrote:
We want ………to fast track our finances

OK, just a general comment. If you want to fast track things, buying and selling a PPOR after a reno every 5 years, is not going to cut it for you . Sure you save on CGT but 1 every 5 years?? You need to be living as cheaply as possible yourselves and this probably does not mean…[Read more]

elliptical wrote:
…. should i start to look at investing into  ip or look into shares 

Ultimately you should look to doing both. When you start off (and congratulations for making the decision to do so), you tend to be overbalanced into one or the other – i.e. you get keen on property and end up with 5 x IPs and no shares. Then it is time t…[Read more]

Woodie wrote:
What are your thoughts on buying a property so close to a railway line?Does it affect prices etc.

Yes it affects prices Woodie…..and No, I would not do it. It is not ideal for resale, CG or tenants.

I agree with Scott. Units at the front can be subject to road noise and other owners cars coming and going from the complex.It all depends on the block itself. Some blocks are in quiet streets but the rear units back onto railway lines and therefore are worth less than the front ones. Top floor units sell for more than mid-floor or ground floor.…[Read more]

You know that you've done enough homework when you can walk into any property in your chosen area and pick the right price to within $10K or so.  Otherwise if you can't do it or don't want to spend the time, outsource it…….but either way it has to be done….by someone.

At the risk of sound a little self-serving, many property investors when buying interstate, engage the services of a Buyers Agent to help them. You have to weigh up the cost of their fees Vs your own air travel, car hire, meals & accom for yourself to do a few trips to your intended destination and be in the right place at the right time.

loki8484 wrote:
What is the best statergy to use when I have more than en expected house deposit

The obvious answer is to buy more than 1 house

Since you have not settled on the properties, it is the owner's problem. Get him to fix it / sort it out, before settlement – and delay settling until it is sorted. The property must be delivered to you in essentially the same condition as it was when you inspected it and offered to buy it (excluding those items on the inclusions/exclusions list…[Read more]

Not a recommendation, but you could also try here:http://www.pbinsurance.com.au/index.php/products_services/student_accommodation/

Chippendale is fine – close to the CBD etc and good CG. Be wary of buying 1brm studio's though.

pijoko wrote:
If the contract between us and the property manager is terminated, does that mean the tenancy contract needs to be rewritten between just ourselves and the tenant?

The tenancy contract (lease) is already between you and the tenant – just read the lease . The agent merely negotiated and signed for on your behalf. So terminate the…[Read more]

trustieone wrote:
…… what percentage return an ivestor would want,then I could work out as to what it might be worth.

We buy a lot of these types of dual income properties for our investor clients. Generally speaking the kinds of yields are between 7 > 8% or a fraction more.HOWEVER, this yield cannot be used as the basis of valuing the…[Read more]

We buy in Sydney a lot for various clients all over the world and for some based in Sydney.If you have specific Q's I'd be happy to answer them for you.

I think you'll find the answers you are looking for in this document (if you are in NSW): http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plansforaction/pdf/Affordable%20Housing_Fact_Granny%20Flats.pdf

It's perfectly legitimate to accept contributions to household expenses and not declare them, provided 1) you're not doing it primarily for profit (eg if this was your primary source of income), and 2) you don't claim the expenses they're helping pay, such as mortgage interest. The contributions are not income; it's just that you pay all the…[Read more]