Investing

Come July 1 the annual tax window opens again. Property investors may have access to a wide range of tax benefits, but tax is a complicated matter. It pays to be across the details. Here’s how you could…
After all the talk, October’s decision by the Reserve Bank to cut rates didn’t come as a surprise. The RBA’s call sent the cash rate to a historic low of 0.75 per cent, the third cut inside six months. The call was the latest attempt by the RBA to drive economic growth, and while much of the current conversation surrounds just how low the RBA can go and how fast, there are some good ways for you to make the most of these new financial conditions. Shop around for a better deal Your lender may have already passed the rate cut on to you, but how much? Lenders have passed the last three cuts on to varying levels, so now could be the time
Rentvesting – renting a property to live in while owning one or more investment properties – is becoming an increasingly popular way for Australians to get a foot on the property ladder. According to Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA)1, 36% of first home buyers opted to invest in property and continue to rent instead of buying a home to live in in 2018. But while the prospect of buying where you can afford and renting where you want to live sounds enticing, there are a few things to consider before embarking on a rentvesting strategy. Here we outline our top five. Getting a loan is harder than it was While the tougher restrictions APRA placed on interest-only loans have recently been lifted, many
Rental yield – essentially the rate of rental income returned against the costs of an investment property is a great indicator of a property’s investment potential. But you need to keep things in perspective when you factor it into your decision to purchase property. Calculating rental yield A good first step in examining rental yield’s impact on the investment potential of a property is to recognise that there are two types of rental yields, gross and net, and they are calculated differently. In property, gross rental yield is calculated by dividing the annual rental income you receive by the property value, and then multiplying this figure by 100. For example, if you collect $20,800 rent annually ($400 per week) and your property value is
When it comes to property investment, people tend to think of residential. But commercial property can offer some big advantages as well, either as a space for your own business or as an income provider. We examine the pros and cons of going commercial. From warehouses and offices, retail to car parks, there are some serious potential benefits to non-residential property when you’re considering investment options.  If you already have residential investments, adding commercial property is a way to diversify your portfolio. Plus, if you own a business and are currently leasing premises, owning your own place can deliver another set of rewards. Many people overlook commercial property when looking to invest.  It flies a little under the radar, but it’s a different way
There are advantages and disadvantages to managing your own property. Let’s look at why you may want to do it yourself and why you might hire a professional. Buying an investment property is a major commitment. A key decision for many investors is whether to manage it themselves or to hire a property manager.  The pros of managing your property Better oversight. A property manager will never have the same level of personal attachment to your property as you do. As manager, you’re in a position to keep a close eye on your property, and to quickly attend to any issues. If you’re handy, you can do even do some of the maintenance yourself, to save costs. Selecting the best tenants. When charged with finding
Crunch time has come for property investors with June 30 fast approaching. If you are a property investor, you will know what a hectic time end of financial year (EOFY) can be. However, with a little forward planning, you will be well on your way to a smooth tax lodgement come EOFY. Read on for the biggest must-knows for property investors this tax season, helping you stay out of trouble with the ATO and minimising your tax bill while maximising your long-term savings. Must-know #1 Records you should keep  From 1 July until 31 October, you will need to lodge your tax return for the previous income year. If you’re using a registered tax agent, you may be able to lodge later than 31
Knowing what a property is worth is central to avoiding paying too much for it. Set a benchmark Comparing nearby properties that have sold recently is the best way to assess an acceptable price for the property you are looking at and provides a valuable bargaining tool when you are negotiating with a seller or agent. Make sure the properties are comparable, with a similar land size and number of bedrooms, for example, so you aren’t measuring apples against oranges. Keep in mind current market conditions The property market is always changing, so doing this research once and sitting on it for a few months will offer little help. Going to open homes and auctions regularly will give you insight into the current state
Urgent maintenance is an unavoidable aspect of being a landlord, so having a cash buffer set aside will help you deal with any unexpected problems. When renting out an investment property, having access to extra cash is vital for two reasons (1) to cover the costs of maintaining the property, giving it the best chance of remaining tenanted; and (2) to cover the cost of the mortgage should you lose your employment or rental income. A buffer ensures that you are not stretched to your financial limits, but rather comfortable while on your investment journey. Ideally, your buffer would sit in an offset account against your mortgage, so that you have immediate access to the money while at the same time reducing the principal,
So, you’re thinking of buying your first residential investment property? There are a few things to consider before making the move. Here are our top 10 tips for avoiding potential difficulties and ensuring success. (1) Know your goal Understanding your financial objectives is key to finding the right investment property. The actual property itself is rarely the end goal when it comes to investing – the financial elements should be your key focus. First, decide what your investment goal is and then create a plan to achieve it within a realistic time frame. Are you looking for a plan for retirement? An income-generator to fund your children’s education? Or building equity to gain a regular income? Define a plan and review it regularly as

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