Property Investor

The 10thousandgirl Campaign

admin — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 00:00:39 +0000

Property Investor recently chatted with Zoe Lamont and Arienne Gorlach from 10thousandgirl.PI: To start with, could you give us a basic overview of what 10thousandgirl is about, and what your main aims are?10thousandgirl: The 10thousandgirl Campaign is a not for profit organisation that aims to make managing your personal finances practical for 10,000 young women around Australia whilst setting into motion a ripple effect to help women globally through the use of microfinance.It is really about becoming more conscious about…

Using Superannuation For Property Investment

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:57:31 +0000

Did you know you can use your superannuation as a deposit to buy an investment property?“Many Australians are still unaware of the opportunity” says Rayden James, Queensland Statement Manager of Advice at itsmymoney.com.au, a business that specialises in superannuation and retirement planning, with a particular emphasis on growing wealth through property.He says that when speaking with clients about this strategy, it’s often a case of it sounding ‘too good to be true’.“Many Australians feel that they don’t have much control…

Tips For First Home Buyers

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:17:15 +0000

I want to share my story in an effort to help property buyers out there. I am a first home buyer in my mid-twenties. I have been waiting to buy my first home for the last five years in Brisbane. So, for the last five years I have watched and waited to find ‘that property’. Realestate.com.au was my best friend. Domain.com.au too. I looked at all the suburbs I was interested in. I checked properties both within and outside of…

Buying a Property Together: Is It The Right Thing To Do?

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:26:04 +0000

I have been asked over the years by people if it is possible to buy property with another person. Usually this question comes from a first home buyer who doesn’t qualify for a loan on their own.Although it is sometimes an advantage to do this, there can also be a number of pitfalls involved. The most common occurrence for joint ownership is between siblings, friends or family members. If you are considering buying a home with someone else here are…

What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)?

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:33:48 +0000

LMI is a one-off expense payable by the borrower that protects the lender if a borrower is unable to meet their mortgage repayments and the property has to be sold.Unlike traditional insurance products, LMI is a once only premium, payable at loan settlement, which provides the lender with cover for the full term of the loan.It offers no protection to the borrower and should not be mistaken for Mortgage Protection Insurance which is a form of life cover offering death,…

Cross Collateralization (aka Co-Secured) or Stand Alone?

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:45:28 +0000

As property investors, we’re all told by our peers or advisers that we should not cross collateralise our investment properties. In this article I will tell you why this is so by pointing out some of the pitfalls involved with this strategy.Firstly, what is Cross Collateralization? It is when more than one property is used as security to support a loan. For example (see diagram below) let’s say your home is worth $400K with a mortgage of $200K and you…

Offset Accounts: The Tax Advantage

admin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:56:28 +0000

Buying a home to live in, whether it’s your first home or an upgrade can be an exciting transition. However, during this exciting process, try not to overlook your 5 or 10 year plan.So many times the property you are purchasing to live in, later becomes an investment property when you opt to upgrade to a larger home to accommodate a growing family. If you feel that this is even a remote possibility, there is a key loan feature that…

Finance Tips for Aspiring Property Investors

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:06:46 +0000

Despite rising living costs and dampened house price growth, 21% of Australian mortgage holders have saved money over the past year to purchase another property, according to a recent survey by Australia’s largest independently-owned mortgage broker, Mortgage Choice*.Before making the move it is worth considering some important financial aspects associated with purchasing an investment property. Understand your Financial Situation and NeedsWhen you embark on your property investment search, be realistic about your rental income and capital gain expectations. Factor this…

Renovate or Start Again?

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:25:32 +0000

I went to a cocktail party at a friend’s home last weekend, and met a friend of hers for the first time. And you know how it goes… “What line of work are you in?”“Property” I replied. Well the first question she threw at me was “Should I renovate my existing house or buy land and build a new house?” Well it’s not the first time I have been asked that question and in fact I told her I had…

Investing in US Property

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:23:48 +0000

Should You Consider US Property Investing?I love property! Property investing is a fabulous vehicle for creating wealth, whether you are talking about the US or Australia. The reality is that better information, easier communication and internet among other tools is making it increasingly easier for Australians to consider not just the local Australian real estate market, but also the international property market.Most Australian investors would agree that investing in the Australian market brings a sense of certainty, perhaps even a…