API-001 - November/December 1997

CASE STUDIES

How the winners do it - Successful property investors share their secrets:

    * Why wait for appreciation? Brisbane's Lindon Oldfield bought a property for $102,000, renovated it and sold it twelve months later for $150,000!

    * In the past six months we’ve made in excess of $6 million profit for our clients, says Sydney's Rob Young. Rob’s techniques have made a fortune for his clients, many of whom are residential property investors.

SMART INVESTING WITH NOEL WHITTAKER

One of Australia’s premier investment advisors, Noel Whittaker, warns investors to do their sums before making investment decisions.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS WITH JAN SOMERS

Jan Somers is the author of some of Australia’s best-selling real estate investment books. In this issue she examines the effect of changing vacancy rates on investors' bottom line returns.

MELBOURNE'S BRIDESMAID SUBURBS

Coburg, Brunswick, Thornbury, Preston, Windsor, Yarraville, Surrey Hills... Changing demographics are changing the face of many of Melbourne's established suburbs, and smart buyers will reap the profits. According to a local agent, We're getting prices that were unheard of around a year ago. It's like a bushfire down here! Dierdre Smith reports.

IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR FIRST-TIME INVESTORS

David Wheatley looks at ways first-time investors can avoid the many traps in the property investment game. For most people their first property purchase will be the biggest financial commitment they've ever made, so it pays to get it right - the first time.

RENOVATOR'S CORNER

If you're planning to purchase a property for renovation, you'll probably have quite a few to choose from. Learn the formula the professionals use to determine which properties will generate the best profits after renovation... and which ones are likely to turn into costly 'money pits.'

RELOCATING HOUSES

Relocating a property can be a third alternative to the 'Build or Buy' decision. Many investors reap tremendous profits by relocating homes, but research suggests that 50% of the people who do it will never do it again. Suzie Cantamessa reports.

THE FACTS ABOUT NEGATIVE GEARING

Negative gearing (tax reduction) is often presented as an investment goal in itself in itself, rather than as one part of an overall financial analysis. In today's low-inflation economic climate, investors considering negative gearing schemes must tread carefully or risk expensive losses.

UNLEASHING YOUR EQUITY

Many of Australia's property millionaires began by using the equity in their own home to buy other properties. It may be easier than you think!

MOVING ON

Buying property to maximise short-term capital gains can be a tricky proposition. Returns can vary even between streets in the same suburbs. David Wheatley looks at the areas in each of Australia's capital cities most likely to hold or increase their value in the short term.

THE PROPERTY CYCLE

Property booms have made many investors millionaires almost overnight... in recent booms some properties in Australia's capital cities appreciated by more than 80% in one year! However, booms are followed by busts, and investors who fail to consider the timing of their investments do so at their own peril. We'll give you to the tools you need to use the property cycle to your advantage.

FINDING PROPERTY ON THE INTERNET

Skillful use of the Internet can allow astute investors to find bargain properties across Australia from their home computer.

This is only a sample of this issue's contents... don't miss it!