Recent content by Rickson

Check the rates. Several years ago I did some due diligence on a unit in that general area. Rates chewed up almost half the rent and I did not proceed. Expect at least 5K per annum for that area??

I believe that townhouses will typically have CG less than houses. Watch the body corporate fees - this and rates will really reduce that return. Also, with townhouses, there can be a lot on the market at the same time - more competition if and when you want to sell. Also, I think the termite...

Queen Bee Schooling start age changed in QLD this year. There is now a Preparatory Year, and I think you need to turn five by 30 June to start prep. Check out the Education Qld web site.

Dear MC98 Thank you for raising one of my favourite topics. It used to be, and in some quarters still is, the favourite advice of the financial planning and superannuation industries, that people, on retirement, should buy some form of allocated pension or income product. The problem...

Brenda The ASX is open on Monday, May 7, Labour Day in QLD. It is a bit of a trick for new traders - you need to check the ASX Trading Calendar for trading days, holidays and closing times. Days like Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they may close early, which can be a bit tricky as well.

Brenda Its about people more than 30 days in arrears. Type this search "mortgage arrears australia" into the news.google.com search engine. http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=mortgage+arrears+australia

Sorry, Rolf - but makes Queensland look good! Where are the windows, where is the light? Where are the indoor/ourdoors areas. I own one nearby to this, but glad I started buying in Queensland.

Must read article for everyone including Jan and Ian. http://money.guardian.co.uk/houseprices/story/0,,1973263,00.html 2 x maths teachers + 700 houses = 1 x £240m buy-to-let empire House prices in UK will never crash, say Mr and Mrs Wilson of Ashford, Kent. And they should know...

Brenda Even if you use an accountant - download eTAX from the ATO site. Use it to model your income, expenses and tax owing. The summary page will explain very clearly the impact of dividends and franking credits.

Our best deal ever, we paid more than asking price. About three years ago, old listing. Had been in the back of an agent's book for a long time. We asked about it and offered the asking price. They said no, but for about 10% more they would sell it, because it was an old listing. They did...

Nerang is close to the demographic heart of Gold Coast. It is on the M1. There is significant development happening north in the corridor from Helensvale to Beenleigh and South, eg the new stadium at Robina which is really only ten minutes at most from Nerang. It has a rail station and is in...

Paradise Point is an amazing area surrounded by water and high end residential development, such as Sovereign Islands. I would vote for Paradise Point for long term capital growth, but you should consider other issues like age of property, number of units and potential for redevelopment...

Thanks Duncan, interesting read. I think the figures are net - see the first paragraph in the introduction, talking about wealth as net worth.

TomL What security does the vendor get with your offers? Second mortgage or something else?

Brenda We cook rice in the mircrowave. 5/6 minutes on high. Then 9 minutes on 50% power. Great every time. About 1.5 to 1.7 times as much water volume as rice volume. Easy.