Kev,Hi and welcome,on the to broker or not to broker questions.  I really think that if you find a good professional, no matter what their field, they add value to what you are doing (as Richard said).  A great accountant is worth every cent he charges, a great broker is definetely worth using, I use an insurance broker who saves me thousands a…[Read more]

What sort of LVR for rural property purchased at Auction?Potential security which I have to offer is 1 x PPOR, 1 x res inv, $100K plus cattle.No cash deposit (unless I sell the cattle, which takes too long really).S

PeppersGhost wrote:
apart from that first week out of the hospital… scary as hell. That week for me was like the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan…

It's really not that bad, PeppersGhost – you big sook.  Not even for the mother! (Unless you get very unlucky).  Take that week off work, step in and do the washing and the cooking and let…[Read more]

Enormous and heartfelt congratulations to both you and your wife.  Such a very special time of your lives.  The kids are the best and most important investment you will ever make.  Coming from a Mum of three who eight months ago had her last baby and is sadly letting go of the baby years ever so slowly.Now you can't leverage your super to do th…[Read more]

I reckon financial best is probably to rent a place to live (worth about 650K or less) and rent out 650K place.  Lifestyle does come into it, though, and personallly I much prefer living in my own home.  Of course, that is a very short answer and there is alot to consider and you need to confirm the answer with some maths.

Yeah, I'd certainly call that a good deal too, if it fit my risk profile.  Certainly, deals like that are unusual.  In the town where I live, there is currently a 1 bed house for sale for $88K.  Don't know what it would rent for.  I'm not interested cause I currently have other plans.The other thing that I'd call a good deal is anything within my…[Read more]

I don't have the millions, but even though I'm somewhat unqualified, I'll second dwolfe's opinion on multiple lower value ips being a better solution than million dollar ip.  One common thought is that in times of downturn, lower end property is less affected than top end property, in terms of value, rentability, rental rate, everything.  I t…[Read more]

Bump..I'd also like to know.

Hello John,The article appears to be well written and researched, except for me, it fails to substatiate its claims with referencing.  When an opinion is stated as fact, I always like to know who's opinion it is.  I'm also wondering if you have some sort of relationship with Australian Real Estate.net or if you just found this article on the n…[Read more]

There are many forces pushing (or that have pushed over the last 10 years) the price of property to the current levels.  First home owners grants, previously low interest rates, immigration, the cost of developing land, the shortage of trade labour, the mining boom increasing average wages (particularly in some areas), the normal cycle of the…[Read more]

Those are useful variations on the standard approaches to finance.  I'd like to see us pay property off (ie make repayments on principle and interest).  I can't get around (perhaps you can) the fact that in order to pay the principle off, I need the repayments to be greater than the interest expense, and therefor, I need the net property return t…[Read more]

Fair enough Richard, restructure loans you say.  Come the end of 2010, I will have paid out the remaining $65K on our mortgages and will have 100% equity in our real estate (investment and PPOR) and cattle (about $150K worth).  We have negligble personal borrowings.  I don't know how to restructure this.But, still, two properties are going to st…[Read more]

I'll be really interested to see the suggestions you receive.  I have over 600000 in equity and not enough cash flow to leverage it.  What a waste.S

JacM wrote:
Hi!The general idea in property seems to be buy and hold.  In other words, buy, add some value (eg renovation, or spruce the place up a bit), and rent it out.  You are on a massive salary and therefore you will absolutely be in the top tax bracket.  You  will be able to negative gear any losses on investment properties against you…[Read more]

Brett, back your instincts and pass.  You're right on the money.  Too dodgey.  Agent's will say anything.  They're not bound.Oh, and perhaps just for all the trouble they've been to for you you could organise some free publicity by sharing that little story with, say, Today Tonight or someone.  Wouldn't that be fun.There are people out there sadl…[Read more]

 I am in a differemt state, so the law may differ.Get independent legal advice if you really want out.  I got out once on the building clause due to evidence of a roof leak.  Finance had been unofficially approved (ie verbally).  It was a bit dicey but the vendor decided not to pursue it.Determine what you stand to lose by continuing and what you…[Read more]

Hello Mackay people.We are considering moving to Mackay in about 3 years.  We are looking at purchasing an investment property there in the meantime, so that we have a PPOR ready for when we move, and so that we get a foot hold in that particular market.  I could really use a contact who can advise me on what are the better areas to live in and t…[Read more]

Ha Ha.You sound a bit like me – you sort of want someone else to give you the answer.  It would be much better if you found your own answer.  Here are some tips:1.  Define your goals (do you want to build wealth, or just enjoy life or both)2.  Define your capabilities, practically and financiall (do you have the time to supervise construction of…[Read more]

Jason,We did not invest in Townsville, mainly because not being on the ground I found it very difficult to get a very good buy.  I still feel that the market is overpriced, and at least for me, does give sufficient ROI.  We have invested in cattle instead and enjoy a low debt positive cash flow position for the time being.  Another reason for no…[Read more]

Thanks for your suggestions.  I am aware of the alternate meaning and used the line deliberately in the hope of catching attention.  Didn't really work – yours is the only response I have had.CheersS