When we buy a new home we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. How we have grown to love kitchens. If it’s cooking, cleaning or even entertaining. This is where a common question arises. Benchtops - stone versus laminate. Is it better to include stone or laminated bench tops? There isn’t necessary a right or wrong answer but here are some differences you may want to take note before your next...
Renting your property on a short term lease. One popular benefit of investing in property is the control and flexibility of owning the asset. There are many types of rental agreements available and they are suited to different investors. Some investors may want a short-term or long-term lease, depending on their circumstances and objectives. In this article we highlight some points to consider when...
Tax depreciation is a valuable tax deduction for property investors. The benefits of a depreciation schedule can also be long lasting. As a result it can provide great assistance to accumulating your wealth and property portfolio over time. What is a tax depreciation schedule? A tax depreciation schedule tables you tax deduction entitlements and outlines the breakdown on an annual basis. It simplifies your...
When buying a brand new Apartment it is very common to see a storage cage included. There are many benefits of a storage cage and here we explore them. A storage cage is often built with chain-wire or a welded mesh frame. A storage cage can vary in shape and size but they generally don’t exceed 6m3. They can be built from floor to ceiling or to a nominated height (such as an over car bonnet). Some can...
Tax office warns investors. During 2019 the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) identified a large number of deductions claimed by property investors including errors. This has the ATO increasing their auditing of property investors. During the 2017-18 financial year about 1,500 were audited, while this increased to 4,500 in the 2018-19 financial year. Tax office warns investors Here are the most...
Renting a furnished investment property longer term (i.e. 1 year or more) doesn’t really attract a tenant any faster or offer a greater rent as apposed to a short term lease. In this situation you may be over spending. A longer term tenant may already be well equipped with their own personal belongings and contents. In a summary here are the differences between a furnished investment property and...
Don’t set and forget – always ensure your insurance is up to date. When buying a property it’s important to ensure your asset is insured against any unforeseen events. It’s likely to be the most expensive asset you buy. We’ve noticed overtime investors review their property portfolio performance but neglect to review their insurance. Insurance cover provides a vast range of unforeseen...
Buying off-the-plan is a great way to enter or introduce yourself into the property market. However, can you sell off the plan before settlement? As buyer's advocates we source many properties for buyers and help them settle in the best means possible. However, during the construction phase, some buyer's personal circumstances change. These are often unavoidable and can cause their finances to...
It is finally official. The Government has established a new policy called the mortgage guarantee scheme, which is aimed to help first home buyers enter the property market. The mortgage guarantee scheme will offer first home buyers the opportunity to purchase a property with just a 5% deposit subject to eligibility. The scheme will essentially boost up to 10,000 first home buyers each year on low and...
The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is an Australian government department. They assesses applications from foreigners who would like to buy a property in Australia. FIRB makes recommendations to the Treasurer on those subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 and Australia's foreign investment policy. Who needs an approval from FIRB? Foreign investors A foreign investor is...