Probably the cheaper course would be better – its not rocket science and big savings there.

Not my cup of tea

I would say that for the average person 10 properties in 12 months is NOT possible. One, two or a few maybe possible if the person has substantial equity. The most that I have seen, recently post GFC, is 6 over 2 years.

Banks will only lend if they can take a mortgage over the property. If there are 2 people on title then both must go on the mortgage/guarantee otherwise the bank will have trouble recovering the property if you default.

Although second mortgages are possible you will not find a lender that would allow what you are proposing. There will need to be one loan with both names at the same bank, or 2 loans with both names – then you can work out an arrangement where 1 person treats loan 1 as their portion etc, or 2 loans one in each name with the other person guaranteeing it.

I would think the value of the building and land would be based on just that – the land value and then a figure for teh building based on the bricks and mortor excluding the business and fittings.

Valuation of the business would including fittings and good will.

Sure, they would allow you, but would it be deductible? No.

I think it you should take an approach where you consider some of the many aspects:

1. Asset protection

 a. From potential creditors

 b. Family law type issues

 c. Losing control of the trust

2. Taxation of income

3. Taxation of CG

4. Stamp duty

5. Land tax

6. Lending issues

7. Succession issues

Factor in the costs for legal advice, loans, tax advise, ASIC fees (if applicable), amending trust deeds down the track etc

From financial pov just draw up a spreadsheet and work out the differences in cashflow between owning in your own name v owning as a trustee.

Also you haven't even considered where to put a unit trust in there too – this could create further opportunites for some tax strategies and also the ability to transfer the units to a SMSF in the future.

That is great. It is like the difference between eating mcdonalds and fine dning!

Limited information.

If property 2 is owned by a trustee then you won’t get the CGT main residence exemption which you otherwise could. This is potentially a lot to give up.

Not sure of the land tax situation in SA – but you could have land tax issues in the future too.