In my opinion, Park Trent (or any other similar group) have 2 products to market.1.  The properties they want to sell.2. Investment education.Please note the order above!If you want to buy an investment property, you can either buy one yourself, or buy one through a group which wants to sell you its merchandise. They set the buy price. They make a…[Read more]

I have not invested in Defence housing myself. However, someone I know works for the Defence Force and had these warnings….1. You may (will) have a long lease that sounds good now, but is there a clause prohibiting increase of rents over a period of eg 5 yrs! (Could leave you well behind.2. Your buying price is often over-inflated ie you pay too…[Read more]

Thanks Bardon. Useful info.As distinct from our other  contributor who should stick with "fighting the NWO".Your profit from your PPOR is NOT taxable. No matter how much you make, or what you spend the money on. Whether a car, world trip or deposit on another property, (investment or PPOR.)I've been there and done that so I DO know.However, if yo…[Read more]

Hi FutzyI'm a bit unsure of your reason for this "investment".I know nothing of investing in Tasmania. But I do know a bit about investing.There are two common reasons to "invest".1. To achieve a capital gain. 2. For positive cashflow.3. (Which is dubious in my opinion) to make a loss, ie to negatively gear and thus pay less tax.From the info of…[Read more]

Needing DA from council, I presume, Bardon.What is the minimum height to build under? Or will it vary from council to council?quickchick

Getting back to your original question!It is not currently easy to make money from a reno, but is possible. But you would have to buy (very) well, budget your renos tightly and stick to it, sell quickly etc. You mention your wife is an architect, to use her professional skills would mean you need a D.A. (ie structural changes), which means your h…[Read more]

Hey KkrishnaJust read this post for the first time.Have done a lot of pricing for renos in my area (SW Sydney) in last 6 months.And haven't done one. (Have done a successful one several years ago.)Reason being, I am NOT going to get into a deal that may end up losing me money!You start by saying you do not have any money for deposit…[Read more]

Hey MattCan help with some of your questions..I'm certain that the FHOG will never apply to you again… next house will not be your first. Unfortunate for you. New FHOG will not apply forever, but not sure how long for!Re Wollongong, we live 40 mins away. Is there any possibility of improving your IP there, eg reno, add bedroom eg from second…[Read more]

Sorry, Tina, I didn't mean to sound derogatory! Email is a bit of a hard medium to convey sentiment!I reckon the old armchair investing, from the comfort of your own home, is great! (ie Works for me!)I bought a property in Dysart that way, 2 1/2 years ago… wasn't a bad move, as readers of this post agree.You go, girl!Quickchick. 

Just a suggestion, Tina….From your armchair, google "Alinta" and see what you can find out about the proposed gas plant at Blackwater.Works for listed companies, if you look up ASX to see what their more recent news is.From your lounge room, you can gather lots of info and see lots of potential.Quickchick.

Many people who take on a 6 month lease will be more than happy to stay on a month by month basis after their original lease expires. Shouldn't be a problem.

Hi JasI applaud your sentiment, wanting to help your Mum out.But if things don't work out, can she afford to lose even the $60K suggested, and still keep her house?I'm not saying you won't succeed, but you have to be prepared to live with the risk.And so does your Mum.Not all property investors have success, we have done way better than if we had…[Read more]

We recently found our bank (ANZ) very bearish, would only lend up to  65% on block of 8 units in large Sydney suburb. Then would only lend up to 60% for renos. Which would have been OK except their 17 month old valuations (they only re-value every 18 months) was very out of date in mining areas.Didn't make any difference as our offer was not a…[Read more]

There is the opportunity to do it alone, or joint venture with them on an agreed basis, ie your time plus their expertise. Could start as joint ventue then when confidence builds, go it alone. I'd think that using their legal people would have to be an advantage, as not many solicitors would know their way around property options. (Would have to…[Read more]

You have to pay water rates, but can pass excess use to tenants. Body Corporates pay for building insurance, bought as a group for the whole property. Beware the sinking fund, its a "mini-bank" for the Body Corp. If some major work needs doing, they can demand all owners to put in $x thousand. It would be good to attend the body corp meetings, to…[Read more]

I did a one day course a year or more ago with Mark Rolton.it was very inspiring and exciting, but then we found we needed to join RPData (no provision for group joining at this stage). Cost when we investigated, would be about $600 per month. Ouch!Some of the concepts were certainly worthwhile, but we decided that to put so much money (RPData)…[Read more]

I doubt that your parents can buy part of any house with super funds. There are strict laws around super loans. maybe they could buy the family home, and leave you free to sub-divide and build? Definitely need to ask your accountant about this one!To sub-divide, I think you'll need to have building plans drawn up (check with council).Quickchick.

We have family in Melbourne with evaporative air con (and use it properly, with windows ajar etc).We're there after Christmas every year, sweating and stifling…… evaproative is OK if its NOT very hot or very humid.When do you need air con?……. When its very hot or very humid!Regarding property inprovements, I gather you're hoping to add pe…[Read more]

Hi Reddy.Just read your last entry, seems like a reasonable idea. Try one of the Porperty investment magazines in your newsagent, they often have  a guide in the back of recent (ie monthly) compared to yearly prices in areas across Aus. Helpful, but not prescriptive. I have found that an area that has gone ahead eg 10% average cap growth for last…[Read more]

Re Reddys' question: I strongly recommend some "boring" points:Have an investment strategy. Reasons to invest in property include, 1. for cashflow, 2. for capital growth. (3. both, it is possible!)4. as a tax write-off (negative gearing, write your losses off and hope for capital growth to make it worthwhile in the long run).This way, you'll know…[Read more]