Hi Terry:
  Yes, I agree with you it is expensive. I think your background will definitely give you a lot of advantages as if you can do all those thing as a bundle. Everyone is doing upfront fee plus an ongoing fee though, you may consider that as well. I can decide just take the statement of advice and not use them for ongoing management, guess…[Read more]

Hi Terry:
    no, as far as i know, they will just give you all the options, you decide what to do, and you would then need to speak to accountant and lawyers etc.
     cheers

Hi Aussieguy:
       You should choose independent advisors (google independent financial advisor), they don't take commissions from any product provider, there is one adviser I talked to who would rebate all the commission back to me in case the product provider insists to give commission. oppositely, some of the advisers will just recommend…[Read more]

Hi Terry:
      First meeting is free for all the advisers, I think that's the norm in the industry now. Once you've decided to go with them, they will charge 2000-6000 for the Statement of advice, and another 4000-8000 for ongoing management. The one I decided to go is around 3000+6000, the one with more experience charges about 5000+8000.…[Read more]

Hi Derek：
 Thanks for your comments again, I've talked to 3 independent ones, and I think I've decided to go with the one whom is easier to talk and with relatively solid financial background. I will update later to share their services. cheers
      regards
         Ralph

Hi all:
  Just in case you guys see this thread again, I've talked to 4 advisers now, and I've narrowed down to two advisers to choose from: one is very nice to talk to and with good background, the other is a little bit harsh but with more experience. Please advice, struggling at the moment
  cheers
   Ralph

Hi Callmeles or les?  :
        Thanks for your info, but I am more comfortable of  face to face consultation.
 regards

cheers, Derek. I am seeking financial advisers now, are independent advisers better? any clue? 

Hi Terry:
  Thanks for your comments, I talked to two financial advisers today: one is from MLC, he's basically recommending MLC management funds; the other one is an independent adviser, he is more genuine and basically set a strategic financial plan for me, but i will need to pay for further details. I will talk to two more advisers, and I will…[Read more]

I am a newbie, haven't bought any bonds or stocks before, you can buy them with loans as well? I am kind of shocked.
 cheers

Hi Terry:
 I talked to my accountant friend, he told me that I should set up a corporate trust to get tax benefit and also protect my asset in case it has gone bad.  
  Cheers

Thanks all, I am thinking of borrowing 1mil for a commercial property, 50%LVR, or invest some of my money into shares or bonds  and then buy a smaller commercial property. Still not decided, so I am thinking of talking to a financial advisor to clear my mind a bit.
 cheers

Hi Bruce:
  thanks for your advice, I think I will use a financial advisor for short term and be an active investor in the long run.
 Cheers
   Ralph

Hi Jamie:
 Thanks for helping again, originally I intended to invest in commercial property with the cash ( about 1 mil) I have in hand, then I thought it might be good to talk to a pro financial advisor to discuss my options like property, bonds, shares etc. I will definitely talk to accountant and broker as well.
 Cheers
   Ralph

that really helps to narrow down my direction, Cheers Bruce

So, you are saying its the lender who makes the call not the broker? Is it possible to negotiate rates with banks if I've got good financial status? cheers

Hi Shahin:
 Thanks for your advice. Guess I will talk to the professionals soon to clarify finance, tax, direction issues.
Re to the broker issue, he told me he finances millions of dollars per year, that's why he can get a better rate, doesn't that make sense?

thanks Terry, I think I will go and talk to an accountant soon.

Hi xdrew, thanks for your comments.
You are right, there isn't much difference between 1 or 2 interest points after I applied the numbers which I didn't realize before. For the new investment, what I'm thinking is get a 2 mil property, I will leave the 1mil in the bank to offset the interest and maybe rent when it is vacant, because all I want is…[Read more]

what I've also learnt is don't invest in an area with so many similar properties,coz at the time of leasing and selling, the competition will definitely hit you