RR yes this is true. I heard of that one also.They also ask the neighbours if you actually lived in the house and slept.But this is rare, but has happened.They know all the tricks, 6 months will go quickly, enjoy the freedom, it may do you good.

TarikG           As TerryW suggests, its probably an agents game. Just advise them of your offer and say its open for one week and don't call the agent.           Unfortunately, you have had a bad experience, its very rare for this to happen. Also the price listed is not a fixed price , you look at it as can go down, but , it can go up, especial…[Read more]

bespoke,                 Hi, Yes the above is true to some extent.As you point out the superannuation has lost 25% or so in the last 12 months. Maybe OK for him if he has 25 years to go, but not so good for the baby boomers just starting to retire. It's a crisis for them.Also Australian households have yet to be exposed to the global meltdown…[Read more]

All,     I think that Alan Bond's case was the instigator for the rules as Linar has explained.

Boshy888                  I was actually thinking last night about interest rates, returns and tax, etc  since I have some money sitting in offset accounts thus saving interest. This was done a few months ago now when interest rates were high, rents were only starting to rise, capital returns were zero.                   …[Read more]

crashy,            Whilst not a professional painter myself. I have painted houses in the past and my own house.I have used some of the cheaper paints on the inside and they have been fine – lasted over 10 years.But for the outside I usually use a well known brand. Always use Solaguard on facia boards etc and get 10 years or more.As per World Chan…[Read more]

freelance2020                          Hi, I've never demolished and rebuilt myself.But , its very strange that two houses in the same area are empty or left to wilt, what with the rental shortage etc?You can easily check with the local council on the property zoning for dual occupancy or cutting up the block etcThey could also tell you if the lan…[Read more]

C2     Yes this can happen, but as you say, its likely to be classed as tax evasion since the main purpose was to avoid tax.Well thats what the tax man will say, its really pushing the limits that one.But thanks for example.

DamienO,                  If all the properties are close, have you asked for a discount from the real estate agent?I parcelled up my properties and a few mates together and got a good discount.It's worth asking or playing off a few agents till you get the best deal, and if your not happy then go to another.

prichard               This is a common thing to do around universities etc, mostly to Chinese students.If they are all the same nationality they will usually get along together and share costs.The council don't seem to worry much about it with regards health and safety etc.But , it can be very risky, you will need seperate locks etc for security.…[Read more]

imaginaryhero                         Hi, above is a good start .Some other ideas – not sure of lots of details so probably not that accurate for you.- If your Mum's situation is OK with not needing all her money at once. Can you buy half her unit thus giving her some money and a start for you – you will miss out on FHOG this will mean only a s…[Read more]

frances52                  Is this house your PPOR ? or an IP?                  I would say yes, you will need to pay stamp duty on half the value, you may need to get a valuation done so you have a figure for tax purposes in the future, are you to then make it a IP?

emmajane06                        Yes. Your friend would be up for solicitors fees, stamp duty, probably loan costs etc. It doesn't sound like a very efficient way to do it.Maybe you should all go straight into it as 1/3 equal shares and not worry about FHOG at the moment and rent it out. You can still get the FHOG later as the place was used as…[Read more]

soloinvestor,                       Well, you should be sent out a valuation each year by the Queensland government telling you the unimproved value of your land at each address. This is all added up and should come to some figure say $400,000 and if you look on the government web site it will give you a figure that you do not need to pay land…[Read more]

Krishna,               Whilst its good to hear you are planned to improve yourself, it's hard give a direct yes or no, since we have not seen the place or know exactly the location or even the street. No need to tell us the street.               Assuming all the good. How are you going to get a loan for the improvements? The bank will…[Read more]

fishngym,                 I am not quite sure about the lead up. When the place was purchased originally, you or your defacto must have lived in for 6 or 12 months to get FHOG.So do you live in it now or is it rented out?If you now rent it – then I would assume you have 6 years grace before it is not CGT exempt, unless you move back into it fo…[Read more]

We talk alot about stock markets getting to its historical levels of growth. Well guess what the All Ordinaries is now there. If you look at the long tern graphs on the Yahoo 7 web page and change it to linear from log you can see we should be at about 3800 or so.Is it now a good time to buy stocks – probably not. We need to let it continue to…[Read more]

Scamp wrote.I'm not going to warn people anymore about buyingO no. I don't believe it?? This forum won't be the same, we need your input to set everyone off.I'm sure he is just kidding.

devo76,              I think you are referring to real estate agents!

Kylie,         Why is everyone talking about the end of the world as we know it?I also think the economy is in bad shape and getting worse, but its not quite to the end of the road just yet. Lets all just hope it doesn't get to the pack up my swag and head for the hills stage!