I live in an outback town of 650 people.  We are 100 km to the next town, and 350km to McDonalds, 500km to Target.We purchased our own home here, but have not purchased investment property here.My Dad, who is based in Sydney is a trained British Chartered Surveyor, which I think might be similar to a valuer.  His training says that the value of p…[Read more]

HI,No, I don't know BNE at all really.  Gladstone, Bowen and Chinchilla could all represent opportunities, but they are all very much tied to the mining boom.  If you are looking for multi industry type towns, these are not really them.  While they do all have other industries, the mining has created additional housing in these areas which wo…[Read more]

I agree you are likely to get better returns near Brisbane, and possibly better capital growth too.  I would spend down there before Townsville myself.  TSV offers opportunity for those willing to value add the investment, or who are positioned to  buy particularly well.  For people located outside of TSV, it alot harder to find an attractive inv…[Read more]

Tomara,I live near Townsville and watch the market carefully.  I haven't purchased in Townsville because I am not satisfied with the ROI, even with multiple dwelling type properties.  I think Douglas in particular is a good choice. Mt Louisa is one of those suburbs with good streets and bad ones, so needs some careful research.  Another couple of…[Read more]

Women need to feel safe.She needs to feel safe from the threat of poverty, ridicule, abuse, neglect, infidelity.She needs to feel safe to express herself, personally, sexually, privately, publicly, in speach, dance, song, writing, cooking, fashion, home decor, art, sport, parentingShe needs to feel safe to rely upon you as a husband, best friend,…[Read more]

Not really, though we have a very happy marriage that has lasted past the 7 year itch, and a relationship spanning 14 years as a couple.We also have three kids under 6, a business and a couple of houses.  We work together and live together.If I had to guess, I'd say you're missing a language and his language is "no clothes on" language….  No se…[Read more]

Benjamin Csikos wrote:
Cleaning the dishes, or cooking her a meal while she watches an episode of desperate housewives is a practical guarantee of a good night for all.  

 Yes, my husband employs a tactic much like this, only he adds having a shave and putting on some deodorant to the routine.  It has got to the point where I feel slightly ill…[Read more]

Too funny Ben,I know how you can pay for all those things.  Get a second job freelance writing – you crack me up.  I reckon you could sell that stuff to a paper.It's only natural for your wife to feather her nest – it's called nesting.Get her to do a budget for how much she wants to spend.  Get her involved in making decision about what to sp…[Read more]

Sadly, much of that is very true.  Much of the truth of the matter is also omitted.

Mmm.  Admire your enthusiasm, Ben.  I was more talking about sharing stories about chatting to an RE on the phone while wiping a three year olds bum.  Juggling your latest excel spreadsheet with playdough.  Retrieving the property section of the newspaper, and because your toddler wants to copy everything you do, handing them the cars section so…[Read more]

http://www.realcommercial.com.au  has businesses for sale.  Just thought I'd mention it incase you were interested in purchasing a cash flow business.We could perhaps reccommend regions to consider if you told us what you want in a region – do you have kids, is education important.  City / regional / rural??  What do you like to do for fun?  Clim…[Read more]

We get our FTB A and B retrospectively when we lodge a tax return.  Your accountant should be able to tell you what to do.  Alternatively you can call the Family Assistance Office and register on the phone.  They might send you a form.  If you want to get the money fortnightly, you have to estimate your earnings.  Underestimate and they may over…[Read more]

That's great John.  Thanks.I think there are alot of investors, like me, who want to know more about a region but waste alot of time on Google trying to find useful, timely, objective data.  We don't necessarily know how to access the information you are providing here, or what information to use, or how to use it.  Especially when it comes to so…[Read more]

When I was a teenager I worked in a video shop for a couple of lesbians (that's beside the point but it adds to the colour of the story) who were a bit obsessed by Star Trek.  They went to Star Trek conventions and could speak Klingon.  Other than that they were pretty normal….

Ahh, thank you Dan, so there is the distinction.  So long as you don't BUY a PPOR.So, for us.  In 2002, we rented out our PPOR after living in it for 2 years.  We moved into employer provided accom for about 4 years, then we bought another house as a new PPOR.  Our CGT starting point for the first house is 2006 – is that right?  So CGT is payabl…[Read more]

HiLove a debate, so I'll put in my two cents worth."We are in a housing bubble" – agreed, but I also think that the govt and the banks will do absolutely everything they can do to stop a dramatic busting of the bubble.  I wish they wouldn't.Maybe the enormous rate of immigration, the trade shortage and the cost of development will mean the bubble…[Read more]

Hi John,Thanks for answering the question about who you are, and for the further information you have provided in both threads.I think that the information you are providing is certainly interesting, and I wish I had more time to spend following your links and considering the data for myself.  Personally I prefer to view the RE market, not only…[Read more]

v8ghia wrote:
except for the Dr.Spock book bit – while he now disagrees with his earlier 'opinions' , Cheers

A common misconception – have you read any spock?  I refer to his discipline techniques a bit and find it useful food for thought.  Dr spock died in 1998 at 94 years of age – you must be better connected than me if you have his cu…[Read more]

you only pay CGT when you sell.  Never sell, never pay.  Only pay income tax on rental income (unless you run a loss)Someone more knowledgeable might be able to confirm this.

I too am wondering what your motivation is, John, and who you are.  I see you haven't answered the question I raised on your original post.  Do you not want to answer the question?  One moment you are introducing yourself as a newbie, the next you are launching long essays at us.  Please tell us more about who you are and what you do for a liv…[Read more]