API-121 March 2011

COVER STORY

Infrastructure hotspots

Transport infrastructure is one of the super hotspot generators in Australia. API reveals where the nation’s top 20 emerging locations for infrastructure injection exist and how their property prices will be affected.

FEATURES

What the floods mean 

Analysts agree that flood-affected areas won’t be hit with a long-term impact on real estate prices. Read more about market movement predictions here.

Land of opportunity

As nations elsewhere suffer from the financial downturn, the Aussie property market has been tipped as the strongest housing market globally. So where in Oz are foreign investors buying up?

Alternative investor

Investing in student accommodation

Income returns between six to eight per cent for inner-city student pads sound exciting, so how can you start, where should you set up and what should you know first?

Renovations & repairs

How to... concrete render

Learn how to add enormous value to your property with a flawless finish. API takes you step-by-step through the various techniques of concrete rendering.

My development

First development pays big

How does one investor manufacture more than $500,000 equity on his first development and double his rental yield? Get inside information on Garry Job’s small development in Bentleigh East, Melbourne, including a detailed cost and stage breakdown.

Project profile

Adding bedrooms for profit

Converting two-bedroom apartments to three bedrooms delivered James Chan a massive $180,000 gain in less than four weeks.

PROFILES

Investor profile: Ted Norman

High rental returns and renovation rewards in the USA property market are edging Ted Norman close to acheving a passive income.

My most profitable deal ­

Making $100,000 in five months on your first project sounds unbelievable, right? Barry Scott, 61, explains how ‘flipping’ his property with a quick reno helped him achieve his most profitable deal.

REGULARS

Property Intelligence

Christopher Joye discusses the upsides of residential property index funds.

Young Guns: Lisa and Michael

Find out how this mining couple has leveraged their high incomes to boost their portfolio to almost $3.5 million.

Real Estate Escapes

Tim O’Dwyer talks off-the-plan.

Dash of Salt

Bernard Salt explains how challenge and change is ahead for investors.

My Property Nightmare

A tenant explains how her prepaid rent suddenly disappeared when her landlord switched property managers.

Legal Help Desk

What drives a real estate agent?

Bricks and Mortar

API’s panel of experts tackles the big questions sent in by readers.

API Connect

Readers get the chance to ask API’s profiled investors any question they fancy.

FINANCE

Which way to repay?

Principal or interest only? How do you determine which repayment strategy is most suitable for you?

TAX

The first property

In part one of a two-part series, Julia Hartman discusses the tax strategies to help young investors start out on the right foot.

Investor Psychology

Michael Yardney reveals four mistakes all investors should avoid.

STATES

New South Wales

Where can you find cash flow positive properties and a big shot of infrastructure? Hint: a coastal location between Sydney and Canberra.

Victoria

What does a new Victorian Government mean for the property market? Just ask Premier Ted Bailleu; he has plenty of ideas.

Queensland

Townsville’s been hailed as Queensland’s emerging capital to rival Brisbane. We find out why.

Western Australia

What are the opportunities in the undervalued suburb of Dianella?

South Australia

API goes underground in Coober Pedy; not to to dig up opals but in search of some interesting opportunities.

ACT

Searching for property profits in the nation’s capital can be difficult. API hunts down the top four strategies and reveals where to go to nab them.

Tasmania

What’s brewing south of Hobart? Apparently solid capital growth, long-term performance, postcard views and opportunities to fill a niche.

Northern Territory

Why do prices refuse to budge in the top end of the market?