Recent content by Tikor

I bought one in 2004 for $165K. I think it would fetch about $200K now so not spectacular growth. But I've never had trouble finding tenants, and the rent is now around the $200 mark. When I was looking for this one, I saw a lot of studios in the area, most of which I wouldn't keep a pig in, all...

Saw in today's Australian: Adelaide unit prices up an average of 21% in last X years. Not sure what's driving it - can it just be the mining? Made me think I'll have to get my SA IPs valued. Could be time for a bit of a plunge again.

Some time ago I remember reading a comment on this forum about the benefits of setting up a team to help purchase and manage a portfolio. This idea seems very sound. I'd be interested to hear from people who have set out to build a property team. Who did you include? What did you do to prepare...

This year I got to where I could retire and live off the property, and I took a year off to do some stuff I had postponed for years, which was great. But now I've ended up taking a job again. Why? When you don't HAVE to work, then work is different. When you get there you'll understand.

Mate of mine bought a very nice scrub block in Millstream Estate about 10 minutes out of Ravenshoe (about 1.5 Ha) for $18000 last year (before the cyclone). Not sure what it would be worth now. Beautiful area. Ravenshoe is a nice town although since Richo shut down the timber industry, it has...

Age 53, married with one kid Occupation: consultant (mostly aid projects but you name it, I'll have a bash at it) First IP 1980, now 10 IPs, net rental cash flow varies according to debt level, currently about $50K Salary varies between zero and $350K Divide my time between a live-aboard...

I have a mate who kept emailing me dire stories about Peak Oil, and asking me if he should sell his IPs: "after all when the oil price skyrockets, the economy will crash and property will be worthless." I suppose he's right. We'll all have to move out of our houses and go live in cardboard...

Depreciator My wife would only come up and join me here if I could guarantee secure accommodation, and the Royal Papua Yacht Club is the most secure address in Post Moresby. Turned out that it's much cheaper than renting an apartment as well.

Thanks everyone - some good ideas there. I will look in on Ikea next time I go back to Oz. Diane: interesting idea to use appliances instead of a stove. I was thinking along those lines, maybe just a convection/microwave. I think the project is starting to come together ...

Hi Celeste No useable photos yet - my camera refused to cooperate. Think of a motel unit: basically a box (about 5m by 5m) with the corner taken out for the bathroom. Has a fold down bed which I intially intended to take out but changed my mind. What I'm after is design ideas for things like...

Has anybody done up a very small apartment? We've just bought a studio in Cairns mostly for our use during our "sanity breaks" from Port Moresby. We live on a boat in Moresby so we've ajusted to small spaces over the years, but we'd like maximum comfort given the space constraints. Cost is not...

Will be developing my land on Kangaroo Island - putting up a holiday rental house. Just had planning approval and will start building around May-June all going well. The holiday rental market in KI is great at the moment. Hope it stays firm for a few more years. Also just bought a studio in...

The role of the first home owner grant is more complex than many people might think: my 40 yo sister is back living with the parents after a marriage breakdown, having always been a renter (so eligible for FHS grant). Nether she nor the parents are really happy with this situation, but they are...

Kangaroo Island I bought a small block of land at Vivonne Bay in 95 for 9 grand, Council valuation on rates notice now $66K, and judging by sales and realestate.com a bit on the conservative side. KI is now really moving because of all the work they have done on tourism. The main problem is...

Our house in progress in Kokopo East New Britain. Cost when complete: equivalent to about $A30K