Property Investment Q&A

• Am I being too picky?

  I’ve found what I believe is the perfect suburb to be investing in but I can’t find a property I like. Is it ever worth buying a so-so property just because it is in a really great area? read more

• Is a boom worth going bust over?

  I’ve been reading up on an area that looks set to boom. The problem is right now my finances aren’t good. Is it a good idea to stretch myself financially to take advantage of the coming boom? read more

• Should I live in the house I’m renovating?

  I’m thinking: why not live in the property I’m renovating? Are there any drawbacks? I know the house will be a mess, but will it take any longer to do the renovation if I’m living there? read more

• Solving contract disputes

  I have fallen into a sticky contract dispute, owing to the fact that the buyer didn’t pay his deposit when he should. I would like to know what right he might have on the property, despite breaking the contract terms read more

• Tax strategies for land developments

  We are developing land in Western Australia. Currently we have a DIA from the council, but are looking for ways to fund the development. A number of options were suggested to us, but we’d be interested to know their pros and cons from a tax point of view read more

• Neighbours hate my tenant, I think he’s great

  My current tenant is great: pays on time and never wants anything from me, except now I’m hearing complaints about him from the neighbours. They say he regularly jams with a band in the living room and has made uninvited sexual advances on girls in the complex. What should I do? Should I let him stay? read more

• Will renting from my spouse save me CGT?

  My partner and I moved out of my PPOR in Nov 2010 and into a new home in her name. How would capital gains tax be calculated in this instance? Can I lay claim to renting a room from my partner and pay no CGT? read more

• How do I invest on a low income?

  I earn roughly $50,000 a year but worry that I don’t earn enough money to invest. I am also hopeless at saving money. With all these negative ideas spinning in my head, I’d like to know: is there something I’m missing? Is it possible to invest in property with so little money? read more

• Under heavy credit card debt – should we still invest?

  My partner and I want to enter the investment market but we're $40,000 in debt. We’re thinking that purchasing high growth property now could allow us the option of refinancing later to consolidate the credit card debt. Is this a good strategy? Or, should we rather hold off for another 12 months and focus on reducing the debt? read more