API-133 March 2012

COVER

More than $575,000 in free money

Cash, grants, rebates and giveaways stacking up to more than $575,000 are out there for homebuyers, renters and investors willing to chase it. API helps you put some extra coin back in your pocket with tips on where to go and how to find it.

FEATURES

How many properties do you need to retire?

API finds out that it’s possible to retire on as little as two investment properties!

The granny flat revolution

New laws are giving investors up to 20 per cent returns – and everyone’s catching on.

Buying sight unseen

Is buying sight unseen a good idea or is it fraught with danger? API investigates.

Estate planning – part 2

A look at powers of attorney and super funds.

RESAERCH

Emerging hot retiree markets

John Lindeman reveals where hot profits can be made from the seniors market.

RENOVATION SECRETS

Renovation Secrets

In the first of a regular column exclusive to API, reno queen Cherie Barber offers 10 tips to double or even triple the return on every dollar you spend.

PROFILES

Where are they now?

Sue and John Moody had retired on property when API last spoke to them in 2005, but the GFC has changed all that.

My Most Profitable Deal

How starting out small allowed one investor to walk away with a $90,000 profit in under two years.

MY DEVELOPMENT

$148,000 profit in just 1 year

Julie McAnally has experienced epic dramas with her triplex development in Coffs Harbour, but she’s still on track.

Development Series – part 10

The final touches are applied to David Charlton’s Croydon development.

News & Views

The latest property news, Tax Straight Up and Ask the Experts.

Young Gun: Robyn Graham

How did this single mum build a $1.5 million property portfolio while holding down a job and motherhood? API reveals all.

Property Intelligence

Christopher Joye proves that the doomsayers are wrong again as the Aussie property market signals recovery.

Dash of Salt

Bernard Salt reveals which coastal towns will be re-energised thanks to the mining boom.

Real Estate Escapes

Tim O’Dwyer talks about conflicts of interest in property transactions.

My Property Nightmare

A property manager shares her worst experience with tenants, which ended in court.

Bricks and Mortar

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

API Connect

Readers get the chance to ask API’s investors all the tough questions.

FINANCE

How are your new year’s resolutions going?

Here are six tips to get financially fit.

TAX

Subdivide and conquer - part 3

The tax ramifications of owning a property and later on deciding to subdivide.

Legal Help Desk

Rob Balanda talks about the growing occurrence of identity fraud in property.

Investor Psychology             

Do crisis-free years exist in investing?

Where’s Hot

New South Wales

Which regional town is riding the mining boom yet still able to plug into other markets and continue its steady growth?

Victoria

A new freeway link will place one previously overlooked seaside town in a commutable distance from Melbourne in 2013. Where is it?

Queensland

Could the Commonwealth Games be the heart starter for the Gold Coast property market?

South Australia

Is South Australia just flying under the radar? Why isn’t its mining activity garnering the attention the state deserves?

Western Australia

Will a new $1.5 billion city centre place downward pressure on what’s been phenomenal price and rent growth for property investors? API investigates.

Tasmania

Compared to other suburbs around Hobart, New Town transactions have remained relatively healthy. So does its demand translate to good investment opportunities?

ACT

Property managers are now restricted on what they can and can’t report about tenant behaviour.

NT

The Darwin prison is relocating to Holtze. How will this impact the area?