Recent content by Chui

Depreciation rules Given that the buildings in LV are usually selling below replacement cost, there ought to be some nice depreciation components (if US tax law is similar to Australia's). Does anyone have any information on the depreciation rate and how this affects cash flow?

You're pulling my leg. 17%. In Australia?

US-specific building issues Are there specific building inspection issues that Australians need to be aware of? The only one I know of is the one with Chinese drywalls.

I don't know why, but my spidey sense is tingling. Even professionals in US are having trouble borrowing money.

No. These properties are in Australia. But the 50% Rule http://www.123flip.com/education/the-50-rule seems to be borne out in practice.

From looking what's deposited in my bank account after the property manager deduct outgoings. :(

Is that net of expenses or gross yield? I'm told that about 50% goes in expenses, so does this make the return around 6% with no leverage?

Please be careful, especially if you have to cough up upfront fees. I don't know these people, so just as a precaution, talk to people who actually got money from them.

Rent Estimation Incidentally, Zillow has now launched a Rental estimation site/tool. http://www.zillow.com/blog/zillow-launches-rent-zestimates/2011/03/09/

I believe there is something we can learn from the Singaporean housing model. Sydney is getting populous, and there is a case for comparing. In Singapore, the housing development board provides an apartment at a range of affordable prices to married couples. This effectively ensures that a...

Thanks Emma for keeping this thread alive. I've a general question. Are properties usually listed exclusively to an agent or is multilisting more common? For instance, are the listings that we get from Yolanda her listings or is this a general list of all available properties? What is...

I read somewhere that an owner fixed their problem by pouring a bucket of water down one side of the building each day, as it was sitting on clay. The clay swells and started to close the gap. Your mileage may vary.

Darn it, that's today. Otherwise, would have made the trip down from Toowoomba.

So if I read this right, Rolf, using a "solicitor exchange" - which takes more time - opens the buyer to the possibility that the offer might be gazumped? For instance, the solicitor could go and make a slightly better offer to the elderly ladies?

In theory, a Dutch auction (for sale by tender) fetches the optimal price because the buyers only get one shot.