API-112 June 2010

Cover Story

Positive cash flow vs negative gearing

So let's sit down and nut it out, which is better , positive cash flow or negative gearing? Find out which strategy best suits which investor and how each can be cleverly wired. 

Features

19 blue-ribbon bargains

Right now premium-priced properties are the favourite flavour for investors as the market swings back again. The question is, which suburbs are worth the investor stroll-through?

Selling with a DA

How much value can a 'DA approval' add to your property? API delves beyond the 'for sale' sign and into the advantages, costs and capital value adding.

Depreciation: the low down

Want more money at tax time? Honour your capital expenses with this much-loved tax deduction and learn the basics of what you can and can't claim and how the entire shebang is calculated to maximise returns.

Fence wars

Unlike Australia's much-loved soapie, neighbours don't always become good friends. It's not always simple to just ask your neighbour to go halves on a new boundary fence, so what are your rights?

My development

Without a hitch

With a $114,000 profit margin, Mark Konemann's first development project in an area he was advised to stay clear from went ahead without a single hitch.

Alternative investor

Parking your money

Caravans can be more than just cosy. They can throw back some nice returns, but it varies depending on the site and caravan.

Profiles

The Interview , Christopher Joye

This property revolutionary is not afraid to face the truth and pitch some new, sometimes radical ideas to change housing policy and practice.

Investor profile , The Bugeja boys

How can five brothers with a collective portfolio of $16 million be raised by the same parents yet buy property with such different vigour and philosophy? API finds out.

My most profitable deal

How did this Brisbane couple make more than $200,000 on a property in three years?

Project Profiles

Reversing a time warp

With careful planning a $115,000 renovation in a prestige Melbourne suburb returned a nice $200,000-plus equity gain for this first-time investor in just six months. Find out how.

Natural selection , part 7

Peter Koulizos is at the finishing touches stage of his two-storey townhouse development on one of Adelaide's southern beaches. While some developers look for ways to cut corners at this stage, this investor reveals the areas where you really can't afford to cost-cut.

Tax

Another tax year over

Arm yourself with a strong coffee... it's tax time and Julia Hartman is unlocking her treasure trove of tax tips to help API readers boost end-of-year tax returns. 

NEWS & VIEWS

Read all the latest property news, including  what the RBA really thinks about property. Plus get your tax sorted straight up with tax expert Julia Hartman's Q&As.

Young Guns

Vaughan and Dinah Boucher

Buying their first property while each earning just $28,000, this Brisbane couple now intends to buy one house a year for the next five years. So, which inner Brisbane suburb are they eyeing off right now?

My Property Nightmare

Eight months without rent sounds ghastly to any investor. So how and why? An API reader reveals there was a burst pipe and a lazy or disinterested body corporate involved.

Legal Help Desk

Rob Balanda reveals how to structure a family trust when property is involved... and what to consider.

Finance

Options galore

Understanding your mortgage is essential because it's like a good marriage or a bottle of nice wine you place into storage , you'll be together for a very long time. So, time to start getting to know one another.

Dash of Salt

Bernard Salt investigates what he calls 'life cycle suburbs' , the suburbs generally more appealing to buyers at certain stages of life.

Bricks and Mortar

API's panel of experts tackles the big questions from readers. This month they ponder questions like 'have we paid too much LMI', and 'when is advice on property considered to be financial advice?'

API Connect

Readers get the chance to ask our profiled investors any question they fancy about that investor's strategy or experience.

Real Estate Escapes

Tim O'Dwyer cautions buyers not to believe everything they're told about a property... at least not until the government legislates on full disclosure for agents and vendors.

Investor-Psychology

Michael Yardney explains the power of persuasion in a nutshell and how investors can make the negotiation process turn their way. So what are the techniques?

New South Wales

Which Sydney suburb is about to be boosted by a proposed new light rail extension and roll around like a pig in mud?

Victoria

Mildura may only be a "warm spot" for now, but find out what's ahead for this regional town, perhaps there' more in store.

Queensland

What's in the melting pot for Southport on the Gold Coast? Can someone hear a light rail coming their way?

Western Australia

Is Broome destined to be Australia's next big city? Or will it forever be too remote? API investigates.

South Australia

According to experts, the North Adelaide area ticks all the right boxes.

ACT

What's causing all the raucous since State Government  handed down the budget? Did someone say more charges?

Tasmania

The mecca to Mount Nelson has just begun and this time it won't be left in the cold.

Northern Territory

Water tank rebates might save investors a little dosh in the long term.