god_of_money,                            Well maybe so, I hope you are right, I will make lots of money if all goes up. I think you missed your chance at blue chips in Feb 09, but if all goes as I think it might, it will be cheaper than Feb 09 next time ( in a few months ?? ).I have been buying shares since Dec 08  and left my super in cash ( sin…[Read more]

duckster,                 You can add on – I just put out $3200 for termite removal and treatment. Yet to see if any structure damage.One townhouse in my block was burned down by a tenant – so we all had to put out $1500 to pay for repairs – 4 years of court cases to first chase insurance company, then end up suing the property agent, etc…Yo…[Read more]

JBJ       Yes the joy of it all, my advise is to just take it on the cheek. Adjust your tax etc and years later you won't remember it, think of the long run, hopefully you will get a good tenant next time.

thebigisle,                  Easy to say in hindsight I know, but, if tenant advised of replacing valve as well, then you could have asked him to monitor overflow tube ( put a bucket under it ). Also if cylinder was not retaining the heat points to relief valve fault not heating element or even thermostat problem!        …[Read more]

rambo 1               Maybe your property is not positively geared, have you added all your depreciation items etc etc, also be aware that interest rates are rising maybe by another 1 % this time next year, its a changing times we live in, so factor them in. Good to see you are getting a good rental return.      …[Read more]

Yes,        I admit I am a follower of Steve Keen, eventually Australia will catch up with the rest of the world. Mind you I think that the sharemarket will crash again, so maybe I am too pesimistic a person. I am eager for house prices to crash so I can buy a big pile of them, I predicted a large drop this year, but, interest rates dropped 3% to…[Read more]

Jlee,         Yes.Also land taxes, council rates, insurance, repairs, depreciation on assetts and building, etc just as per a normal rental property. I know of a few people that have done what you are trying to do. But most of them came out in front mainly because they had large loans and have moved back into their own house when loan repayme…[Read more]

businessglobal,                             Very sorry to hear of your experience, I guess that explains why you are now so parenoid, suggest you sell your rental and put your money in the bank or under your pillow, before you worry yourself to death.

suehe,            Above is assuming your daughter can afford $300 per week in rent, plus pay the running costs ? By your post it maybe too much for her?            I wouldn't suggest a financial advisor, try to find a good accountant with knowledge and practices in property.            Whilst it maybe a nice fuzzy feeling to buy and rent to your d…[Read more]

bundyanimal,                        Thanks for info. will look out for this can in the shops? any particular shop ?In the old days we had to test smoke alarms at work. We had a can on a stick, we put diesel fuel on rag and lit it, then dropped it into the can, it would smoke really well and we walked around testing the alarms. good old days. Not…[Read more]

Mattdelf,              Yes, I get these stupid letters from the real estate agent also. They are just trying do two things.1. Make money by getting kickbacks.2. Remove all possible chances of them being somehow responsible for any claim against them ( you know protecting their own bum ).Just email them or fax it back and tell them to stick it.Als…[Read more]

Rhys_Roberts                           Your problem or suggested improvement is something I have thought about but was unable to find any real advertising for in the past also. In the end I just painted the old wood and left it as is ( the wood wasn't too bad ).                           My suggestion if you get no positive leads – maybe go…[Read more]

sheranj,              You might need to check your loan. Do you need to pay a penalty for early repayment??I assume you actually lived in the house before you went overseas?You will be up for selling costs, and if you buy again later – purchasing costs. So I hope you are going make lots of money on sale.Rents have gone up, so maybe you are maki…[Read more]

Great reveiw,                       Wonder what Steve thought of seminar?? Did you go Steve ?

spudway,                 How many bedrooms etc are in the house you are going to buy. You have a lot of people for one house!Also you cannot make a statement that you pay $350 a week rent  – so you can pay $350 a week off loan.When you rent you do not pay council rates, insurance, repairs, water charges ( maybe some water use only ), etc.         …[Read more]

kell,        You will not be putting up an aluminium roof, more likely a steel roof with powder coating.

International,                        Yes, my Brisbane properties have gone up. But what goes up will come down. I think they will fall 10% over the next 12 months. But my rents have gone up heaps so it doesn't matter. Just hope all my tenants don't loose their jobs so they can't pay the rent, this is the worry over the next 2 years.

kerenday,                 As god of money says. You basically go for say 5 million in property value, but own very little. You hope for that thing in the past called capital gains to make you money, eg if it goes up 10% then you make 500,000 dollars. All very theoretical, assuming you are not putting in money to hold etc.

kj   As above, what amount are you going to borrow, do you need to pay land tax after purchase, what is your income, etc etc.Just right it all down, everything. What depreciation is going on house, what are the rates, etc.Work it all out – use a calculator.Don't forget its not a simple matter of so much rent on so much cost equals positive or n…[Read more]

duckster,               I can understand your point of view. I too think it stinks that the government is always out to get the small time investor who tries to get ahead. They get you in land tax and now this, it sometimes makes you think that the best approach is to sell everything , spend your money, go on the dole and let the government ch…[Read more]