Basics tell me that all other things being equal, if you  :
Add stimulus – something is stimulated.
Remove stimulus – something slows down.

Assuming nothing is happening fast in our slow moving economy and this continues throughout the rest of 2009, then the most significant and predictable event will be the halving of the FHOG. So if all the other market forces like unemployment rate, interest rate, consumer confidence, business investment etc are sluggish, then the outcome is a fast slowdown in the area which was stimulated by the FHOG.
 
Outside of that, I think the times are very peculiar and difficult to predict, even with the extensive research facilities of companies like BIS Shrapnel.

That tells me to avoid niche markets and buy old faithfuls.

Cheers
thecrest 

Cheers
thecrest

We're currently living in a unit for a few months under other units which have hard flooring.
How we wish they had carpet ! ! !  Stilettos are the worst. It's amazing just how far some people walk in their units, the odd hours they keep,  and you'd never know until you live under them.  Every step resounds through your own living and sleeping areas.
Talk about one up all up ! !  
But apart from all that, I personally prefer to live with the soft quiet and luxurious feel of carpet. 

A 66m2 unit should not cost too much to carpet, and you can use hall runners to minimise wear n tear in high traffic areas.
Cheers
thecrest

Keep visiting  brokers and tabling  your situation and requirements with them until you come home with a good plan that you and your accountant approve of.
Cheers
thecrest 

According to your post, you discovered the damage yourself. Not very reassuring is it.
If the damage was done during the period of the previous PM and previous tenants, your opportunity to recoup the repair cost is gone unless you like long court cases with long odds.
If the damage was done during the period of the current  PM, they must act to recoup the cost or bear it themselves.
They also are required to act in your best interests at all times, which also translates into managing matters with tenants in such a way as to prolong their tenancy under circumstances beneficial to you and the property, rather than dislodging ( groan, sorry – worst accidental pun of the week)  or  losing tenants unnecessarily.
If you have concerns, get written confirmation from your insurance company on the standard required, and the same from your builder, then you'll sleep better.        
Cheers
thecrest

Aaaahhh, the salt of the earth eh,  Book Salesmen / publicists and REA's.
Nah, very few cynics out here, but you can tell where they live    

coz their front doorknockers are removed and they have unlisted numbers.   

Cheers
thecrest

Over the last 5 years some commercial property has been marketed in our local area.
It's become a frequent pattern that a tenanted property goes on the market with around 12 months or less
remaining on the lease.
It's marketed with " a good tenant in place" who pays all outgoings etc.
Funny how so many of them are vacated by the tenant when the lease expires, without the tenant renewing the lease
by taking up the option to renew.
It must be that over time, the tenant has established a relationship with the landlord who got the whisper, so the property goes on the market while it's tenanted to avoid the forthcoming vacancy period.
There's one scenario to avoid.
Also, we've found that if using residential property as security for a loan for commercial property, some lenders will finance at residential rates. That's a saving. And you can split the loan and use a line of credit like an offset account.

We're into motels. If anyone's into the same, PM me pls.
Good luck.
Cheers
thecrest

Hi Trevor
PM me pls I want to discuss your motel lease and commercial finance.
I own a motel too.
Cheers
thecrest

Usually if it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck . . . .
Cheers
thecrest

Hi
Looks like a match to me.     
You own the land.
You want to build some development on it and maybe sell it..
You live far away and can't watch a project every day.
You're not a builder.
So you need a builder.
You need a real estate agent to sell it.
A builder is interested.
So is a real estate agent.
Looks like all the ingredients of a joint venture have fallen into your lap.   

You need to research how to do a joint venture if all parties are interested.

good luck
cheers
thecrest

Hi D – Wealth4Life
It seems this post and my personal messages and emails to you are either being ignored or ALL of them are not getting through for some inexplicable reason.  Hopefully I have not put you on a spot somehow, and hopefully your brother really does own 19 motels as you say in your post.  So in the spirit of mutual assistance on which this forum is based, I'm asking for a reply from you for assistance in reaching your brother so as an owner of 1 motel, I can ask him how he builds to owning 19 motels and admins that many.
Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Regards
thecrest