Not far from settling on this property, just waiting for the Real Estate to get back to me re my final offer, any comments on the above questions are still welcome.This is a great site for knowledge, I just love it.Thanks everyone

Re my last post aboveCouncil now tells me (a different Town Planner)  all is ok with this property and everything on the site is approved as it stands today.Its amazing you know, you ring these places (councils) for clarification and many times you get conflicting answers, this can be a difficult process at any time without getting the wrong i…[Read more]

Thanks Bob, Scott, AAqYour replies are very much appreciated.It now appears from further research that this property is zoned for its current use (dual occupancy) however the building has not been council approved to use it in this manner ie 2 flats, it also seems that it has been this way for 10-20 -30 years by consecutive owners just letting it…[Read more]

BuilderBob wrote:
My dad just died from Asbestos so please be very careful.Asbestos in the home can kill! I've owned property with asbestos roofing and found it difficult to re-sell .I'm unsure what state you are in but I'm fairly sure they have set a time period for all asbestos roofing is to be removed in QLDI know commercial property has a…[Read more]

masond wrote:
Hello everyone,First off im young and this is just the start of my homework so please bare with me. Situated in W.A and attending uni, at the moment I don't have enough income to support loan repayments so i have a 3 year plan. This involves finishing my degree in commerce and business law hopefully have 20/30k saved and then h…[Read more]

Thanks d_angstestra for you imput too,did Chan & Taylor elaborate why a trust should be set up in the begginning?At the end of the day there must be a more "correct" way to begin this venture that will give asset protection and liability protection.obviously cost are a concern but protection to me is a bigger concern. (but not at any costs…[Read more]

So is there a right or wrong way to hold several properties to maximise your returns and reduce your exposure to liability/ risk, or is it not clear cut because of so many variables.With so many people holding many properties in their portfolios i wonder how they /most would approach this situation.Thanks for your valuable imput Terry.

Terryw wrote:
HiIn NSW Land Tax is 1.6% of the land value. Individuals get an exemption on the first $350,000 (approx) of land. But trusts don't get this exemption (except special trusts such as some unit trusts). So if you have a $350,000 property (land value) in a trust it will cost you $5,600 per year extra. That is a lot of money.Trusts need…[Read more]

Terryw wrote:
1. yes2. no – depends though on who you use3. accountantOther things to think about:a) trusts often have to pay much more land taxb) Losses cannot be offset against your personal incomeTerry  Do you know how much more the land tax rate may be (percentage terms), i am interested in NSW only, Do i assume that the trusts accounts are…[Read more]

Thanks Millions for that Information and i will certainly follow up the links you sent.Being  only a few minutes to existing railway,buses,and freeways and Parramatta city & Westmead Hospital makes me think that as time goes by, the more land means possibly more accomodation will be needed for this area ,and i suppose the fact that a neighbour is…[Read more]

Thank you Tammy & Lalibella & previous posters.It was good to know that Pendle Hill may get a 7% grothe rate in this upcoming year, i was a bit concerned about the grothe because of the recent/predicted slump in house prices in Blactown  which is a nearby suburb , and some other outer Sydney suburbs are also tipped to struggle, I said rent of $400…[Read more]

Thanks for the replies folks, I read them with great interest.If land is the thing that appreciates over time and my daughter can get a fair return from this next door property with its granney flat as well , it seems to me buying it will be a good investment as each block will gain off each other because they have a bigger land area 1600m2  …[Read more]

Thanks TammieYour reply was welcomed very much, I will speak to my council  and find out the zoning, at the moment around me exists mostly town houses,villas,duplex type buildings.If the place is rented my daughter will be fine with some debt if it means some gains down the track.It is very difficult to get into the market if you are young even t…[Read more]

tammy wrote:
Hi Trustie,Just a few thoughts. What is the zoning of the blocks? You can find this out from council who will also be able to advise the density level (ie how many per area). This will help evaluate the development potential. Have a look at what is currently being developed in your area, what sale prices the end dwelling are…[Read more]