Bravo to tash and cheeses on honestly and professionally expanding on a post that was a tad lacking in objective info.

Yes, it's remarkable how small the units are, even for entire families. People very proudly show off their "huge" 50 sqm units to visiting friends and family, and rightfully so- they cost them a fortune

On the upside, it's amazing to see how well designed and brilliantly equipped these little holes in walls are. Seamless storage spaces appear at…[Read more]

Welcome aboard and best of luck! Pardon my ignorance, but what's a PG?

Wow. That's bordering on criminal, isn't it? Gotta be some way to call them up on  it, even in the USA???

Quite correct, no argument there. As I mentioned, it's mainly the cashflow that makes the difference in my view.its getting very difficult to obtain positively geared properties for the long term in Australia.

Btw, here's another one for you, admin oh admin- the signatures only show up in replies, not in new posts.

Barring those two issues, I'm loving the new look performance isn't that hot from a tablet, though…

Don't know, I think there's a lot to be said in favor of being able to do your dd on the one company,then stick to them (eg "winning horse"), as opposed to kicking off the entire process time and time again with a new seller/pm/property/rehabber etc etc for each and every investment considered – particularly when you're trying to do it all…[Read more]

At least the signatures are back I missed mine

…

And here's another analyst's (ex-credit rating chief) opinion regarding the economy there, regardless of property prices –http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-26/fading-account-surplus-to-end-japan-deflation-mikuni-says

Bricks and Mortar wrote:
…have a keen interest in Bali – the laws are very different there, so it will need a completely different approach…

I know many people have been spruiking Indonesia in recent years, but I heard a great many horror stories (property stolen by corrupt officials/local "law enforcement" entities, investors visas…[Read more]

In Japan, the housing companies (eq. of HOA or body corp) fees include a component called "accumulated funds" – this guarantees that all future repairs/renovations don't cost the owners anything more than they've already paid monthly, and also guarantees the housing companies make a huge profit on interest from funds collected for years and never…[Read more]

Aj_Richo wrote:
…most Aussies do not understand the concept or are basically afraid of holding a piece of paper, over a property…

While I understand the rationale, I find it to be a very limiting approach. Thinking about notes as a "real estate investment" proper is just plain wrong. It's alot more akin to investing in a RE fund or a term…[Read more]

That's just ridiculous, I don't get it…we don't even advertise the gross yields on our publications, what's the point? It's all about cap rates, isn't it?

Agree, these two are among the more helpful individuals on here.I also hope to be shaking hands with them sometime soon )

They claim their properties are "unique" and only available to the exclusive club members who pay them $1K to join.Personally, I prefer a far more transparent process, and don't like the idea of paying someone to look at their website, but maybe that's just me.

"more than twice the average national crime rate" – so up to twice is cool? Ouch!I'd probably add "forget about the whole thing if you don't plan to visit at least once a year or more"…it seems that, no matter how good your property manager (and the majority don't seem to be that good, from what people are saying), you'll always have some…[Read more]

About a third of our units in Japan are tenanted to government supported tenants (eq. of section – these are mostly old, sick or disabled folk, and are no different than any other tenant – it's the neighbours who don't like them, more than anyone else. From what I read above, it's very similar in the US.

North South West – luvin it!

Great links, thanks. Ah, that I would have the time (and enough staff for day to dailys) to produce and maintain something like you're suggesting. It's definitely the right way to go, but I just can't see myself juggling this extra big ball just yet…Maybe next year…Until then, I think a regurgitated collation of weekly news is the best I'll be…[Read more]