David – curious to know (here in the forum's fine, so everyone can benefit) – how long can you claim depreciation post-purchase in the US, and what effect, percent-wise, did this have on your bottom line tax payable? Thanks for sharing!

Watch out for that most common of traps "If they speak my language, I'll be right" – the US market, while full of opportunity, is also a shark-infested pool at times. Be sure to run your due diligence on any company you may choose to work with – financial, legal and client references at the very least. I can only testify that, for us and our…[Read more]

Many of the people here have US investment properties – I'd wager a guess that at least 50% of them are at least slightly disillusioned, mainly due to the fact that its not the completely remote, easy to manage, hassle free investment they've been sold on. Often they'd have to deal with problems either in person, or at great expense.

if you want…[Read more]

Many of the people here have US investment properties – I'd wager a guess that at least 50% of them are at least slightly disillusioned, mainly due to the fact that its not the completely remote, easy to manage, hassle free investment they've been sold on. Often they'd have to deal with problems either in person, or at great expense.

if you want…[Read more]

https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-changes-outlook-on-Japans-real-estate-sector-to-stable–PR_277176?goback=.gde_2060426_member_243882374

Quote:
Moody's Japan K.K. has revised the outlook on Japan's real estate industry to stable from negative. The change in the sector outlook reflects the appreciation in the values of commercial properties,…[Read more]

Watch out, Jay, you might get sued for "TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACTS, BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND BUSINESS EXPECTANCIES" lol

(folks, this is probably a good opportunity to say that, if you're after a reliable US operator, (and one who won't give you any reason to sue him or question his credentials), look no further than Jay, above. Joined…[Read more]

Might be due to the fact that a larger and larger portion of US investors, before or after their first purchase, have moved on to Japan Tenants that stick around for 4-5 years on average as opposed to 4-5 months, never damage a property and almost never pay late (not to mention evictions, which just don't exist), net pre-tax returns of 10-15%…[Read more]

Freckle wrote:
…He's goner. Writings on the wall…

Freckle wrote:
…He was always predicted to take the upper house short of some major catastrophe…

Love you, Freckle, really do.

Freckle wrote:
He was in the low 70's. He's goner. Writings on the wall. When you need teen bands, sumo and FB to get by things are definitely looking sad. I doubt if half his followers are old enough to vote.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23396234

Quote:
…Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has won a majority in the upper house,…[Read more]

Alright, I'll bite – please lay down the freckle formula for a new and improved Japan. I'm all ears.

Not sure what optimism has to do with anything? The fact that I happen to agree with what Abe's doing at the moment on most fronts has nothing to do with my backing for him or any other PM – not sure why you assume that. I support people who's thinking and actions concur with my own – if Abe's replaced by someone who has similar policies, they'll…[Read more]

Good luck with that notion, Freck  you might want to hedge your bets a bit, if you truly believe all of what you just wrote.

"What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324251504578581370843445726.html

Quote:
With polls predicting an almost certain victory for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's party in a parliamentary election later this month, the focus is on whether the premier will treat victory as a mandate to push ahead…[Read more]

Yes, but it's not just "making an economy look good" – these "feelgood" vibes are actually directing money into the country. Consumer and business confidence aren't uselses airy-fairy measures – they show potential for future growth as much as any other figures. Speaking of potentially "good vibes" that boost growth, here's another recent one -…[Read more]

Been seeing alot of these in Dubai – http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2012-09/17/content_26539412.htm

Quote:
…a number of brokerage firms disappeared with the money they should have had transferred from tenants to home owners. Gulf News reported earlier this month that two broker firms, MFRE and FHS, were owned by a 38-year old…[Read more]

Would love to hear from anyone's who's bought into any of those – it must be three years at least since I noticed the first one being promoted…any takers with some success (or other) stories to tell?

Nice one, Engelo. Good (and a bit rare) to get recognized for honesty in this business

Sorry, Freckle…I truly envy the amount of free time you seem to have on your hands…I can only get to this thread about once a week or so. You're right, hot money is flowing into Japan, slowly tapering down to reasonable money. The masses, which move in knee-jerk reactions as usual, a typical behaviour most easily seen in currency and bond…[Read more]

A wise man once told me not to place too much faith in MSM sensational headlines, but in any case –

Quote:
Looks like the banks are setting up their backstops for when things turn to custard.. that's ominous…"

No?!?! Banks looking after their own interests? IMPOSSIBLE! They're charitable organizations, the lot of them…aren't…[Read more]

Great minds think alike. I'm sure that period will come for me too in a decade or three – my back's been telling me that for a while now (that is, unless they come up with those cool "ghost in the shell" type cradle-type ergonomic workstations, and one small enough to carry around in a suitcase and fit in hotel rooms. Then I'll probably work till…[Read more]