Hi Mathyland,

Assume the standard fund is a retail, industry or employer sponsored fund.

With $135k of super you are in a great position. Depending if you combine you super with your partner (if applicable) you can increase this balance.

What I suggest is considering setting up an SMSF, preferrably with a Corporate Trustee, rather than individual trustee, as this will be beneficial when you choose to take a loan in the near future.

If you are alone, you will be the sole director of the Corporate Trustee. You can then roll the money over from the industry fund. From the day the SMSF is set up, this will take around a month.

In the meantime, you can do your research on the right property to buy. Depending on residential or commercial you are still in a fantastic position. You can borrow at 80% LVR for residential and 70% commercial from the banks and when calculating the amount to borrow and invest ensure you have enough to cover the deposit and acquisition costs of the property (including bare trust set up).

This is usually exciting for members of an SMSF and can be quite dangerous if you don't get the right advice. 

In summary, there is no minimum balance (its a myth), its up to you, just be aware of the costs involved in setting up an SMSF and also expected purchase price in consderation of the super balance you have,

Agree with Richard, sounds to good to be true…

Land options are standard and can be good, however, please perform diligence on the developer as well as the area as there will be a period of time before you see your return

Absolutely right Richard, in my experience, members may use the SMSF name or their personal name…..important to seek advice before executing the bare trust.

Also ensure any deposit is paid out of the SMSF.

In terms of lenders be aware with most lenders you will need a 'Financial Advice certificate' signed prior to settlement and the bank will engage independent lawyers at $$$ to review your SMSF Trust deed, contract of sale and Custody deed ("bare trust") cost of this can vary between $600 and $2500 for a commercial purchase

Nigel who do you reccomend in investing in US property, apart from yourself.

Hi bobaaaaaa, great you can purchase outright, there are significant opportunities in the US, many growing areas, and everyone has a different opinion.

As for Henderson NV, we have placed property there for our clients, 3 in SMSF and one outright, with an average price of around $200k in the last year. quite a few forclosures and opportunity however, there are many other opportunities which may be more suitable for the price and income yield perspective…..

Keep us posted with how you go

Hi Tony, Welcome, which areas of the US are you looking at. As you may know, Texas is a hotspot. 

Effective due diligence always requires a reference check, ha, privacy requirements……let me know where you are in melbourne by PM and i can help you, your not being unreasonable.

Agree with this, so many clients trying to push the boundaries.

Have so many stories to share however, just cannot share on a forum.

I generally look very closely at a client looking at a holiday house in the SMSF, as you can see the hints ard using it on the holidays. Always emphasise the audit requirement and testing to be performed. Usually the response is "Your right, its not worth the risk"

Hi floody. as you know there is no minimum balance for an SMSF and with $100k you have the opportunity to borrow up to 80% LVR for residential property and up to 70% for commercial property.

With SMSFs, the objective should be for capital growth and therefore, i'm not sure you will find many properties around the $200k mark, and more likely to be around the $300-400k mark. 

I have attached some information on property purchases below

http://redwoodadvisory.com.au/smsf-property-investing-create-your-own-destiny/

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Cheers,