API-144 February 2013

FROM THE COVER...

2013 - the year of recovery?
A string of indicators are looking more positive for the property market in 2013. Let's find out what they are.

10 ways to fake a million-dollar look
How to get the luxury, designer look without splashing the hard earned cash.

From a town planner's case files
How did a town planner convince neighbours to allow a townhouse on a narrow inner Melbourne block?

My property nightmare
Bankruptcy, difficult neighbours and an indecisive council set the challenge for an 11-lot subdivision.

Investing in the usa - where to buy and avoid
Which US areas are experiencing the fastest capital growth? And is it too late to benefit?

Australia's 40 next gentrification hotspots
As the property market heads into recovery mode, find out which areas will be next to enjoy rising values.

Investor Profile
After losing $175,000 in two bad property deals, Mark Taylor explains how he bounced back.

RESEARCH
What will the Commonwealth games do for the Gold Coast?
Is it time to buy on the Gold Coast for good gains?

FEATURE
The big question facing unit buyers. One-bed unit or two?
Which one delivers the best rental yields and capital growth'?

RESEARCH
Property booms and price bubbles
John Lindeman explains the difference between these two overused phrases.

PROFILE
My first property: PART 7
In this part of Ian Neubauer's renovation we learn how far $600 can go on a bathroom.

MY MOST PROFITABLE DEAL
Seven leases and a punchy rental yield in West Hobart for just $410,000. Not bad!

THINK MATUSIK
Not what you might think
Michael Matusik talks all things apartments, including the yields, the perceptions, the stats, the demographics and the design inclusions.

MY DEVELOPMENT
The search begins
Small developer and project manager Shane Hiscock starts hunting for the perfect development site.

PROPERTY INTELLIGENCE
RBA stokes the housing fire
Christopher Joye talks about the RBA's official interest rate movement impact on housing.

REGULARS
Young Guns: kris and nupur
$2.5 million in five years after tackling major credit card debt is a stellar comeback for this young couple of investors.

News & Views
The latest property news, In the hotseat,
Tax Straight Up and Ask the Experts.

TAX
Julia Hartman discusses the tax consequences of profiting from large residential block subdivisions in everyday suburbs.

Dash of Salt
Bernard Salt talks about the suburbs likely to receive an uplift over the next decade.

Bricks and mortar
API's panel of experts tackles the difficult questions sent in by readers. This month they range from leakage and settlements to the outlook for mining towns.

API connect
Readers get the chance to ask API's investors all the tough questions. This month they range from managing land tax to loan serviceability.

Investor Psychology
Michael Yardney talks about whether now is the time to be fearful or greedy when it comes to property investing.

STATES
New South Wales
Financial incentives are being offered to relocate to a regional NSW town... are they tempting?

Victoria
All bases are covered in popular and ever evolving Brunswick. Let's find out where to look.

Queensland
New roads and infrastructure are giving Stafford a welcome profitable boost.

South Australia
A population boost, not stamp duty cuts, are apparently what will get the SA market moving again. Read why.

Western Australia
Affordable Hamersley is starting to scream potential as vacancy rates hit zero per cent.

Northern Territory
Darwin has survived and thrived during the GFC. API explains what's driving this market.

ACT
Landlords are being encouraged to open up rentals to refugees. So how does this work?

Tasmania
Apparently Prospect has the right mix of ingredients to prosper over the long term. API takes a closer look.