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257 | The Exception To The Rule When It Comes To Off The Plan Properties & House And Land Packages

By in Podcast, Q&A

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Recently, ABC’s podcast The Money ran a very poignant episode on the financial risks of unregulated property investment advice (which we highly recommend you check out – details below folks)… which revealed the pitfalls of buying Off The Plan properties and getting snagged on the end of “one-stop-shop” spruiker seminars.

As well as interviewing two unlucky folks who learnt about investing in Off The Plan in the worst way possible, the episode also features a property ”sales person” … and the look from the other side… is… well… let’s just say we’ve got something to say about it!

‘Cos as you know folks, we hold a VERY strong view on these types of investments — and we’ve been very vocal about this since we first started croaking out this podcast — so why then … would we have an “an exception to the rule”???

Well… that’s where today’s episode comes in! ‘cos if you’re going to go there….. (and many of you STILL write to us about investing in Off the Plan properties AND House and Land packages.… then we want to make sure you stay FULLY informed.

AND we’re also going through a Q&A on this tackle this exact topic, so you might get the answer you happen to be pondering right now!

 

CLICK HERE to Listen to ABC’s The Money podcast episode — The financial risks of unregulated property investment advice

 

 

Other Free Resources Mentioned In This Episode

 

The Questions…

Question from Brittany

Hey guys! Absolutely love your podcast. Wanted to share something I found. The offer is – buy an off the plan apartment, and get a free Mazda 2. Reeks of a buyer beware scam! Is this even legal? I have never seen anything quite like it and had to share it with you guys.

 

Question from Alana

I have been listening to your podcast, I have invested in a house and land package in Tarniet, I will be owner occupier . I will be investing with a friend, therefore half the debt will be mine we will be investing around 450,000 total. There are proposed schools next door and a shopping mall and train station going in. Everything in your podcast leads to don’t buy a house and land package… have I stuffed this up already?

 

Question from Juan — Is It ALWAYS A No To Buy Off The Plan?

Hi guys, First of all – thanks for your great material! It’s great, ‘specially for someone like me who is new to Australia, understanding the way everything works here is gold. I have heard most of your podcasts and also done some research online and I wanted to ask a question around Off-the-plan investments that I still can’t understand. Everywhere people say it’s a big NO-NO. I understand the risks involved (delays, not seeing the finished product beforehand etc) but my wife and I have found an OTP property in a suburb we like (Bentleigh, within the Mckinnon School zone) and we think it’s a good place to live. The developer has done at least 3 different developments in the area all of which we like the finishes and have built it in perfect timing. I wanted to ask why would this be considered a really poor investment? Are OTP properties definitely a NO? I understand the case of Docklands and closer to the city suburbs where you had thousands of developments which made the price go down but in Bentleigh I don’t think this is the case. I have subscribed to locationscore.com.au and the score is relatively well considering that I will live in this property and it’s within my budget. I just wanted to get a sense of your thoughts around this as I am a true follower of your words of wisdom. Hopefully you have some words for me. Thanks in advance and keep up the excellent work of empowering people like me with information. Juan

 

Question from Phoebe

Hi Property Couch,

I have a question for you. My partner and I recently signed a contract for a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in Camp Hill, Brisbane. It is a brand new apartment building (small block – only 7 apartments). We plan on living in the apartment (for now but would like to rent it in the future – roughly 3-5 years time). The developer originally wanted $569k, dropped it down to $539k and we signed a contract for $529K. When applying for a home loan, the property was valued at the property $29,000 less than the purchase price. Their report considered market direction, volatility and segment conditions to be of medium to high risk. This is very concerning for us as first home buyers. We don’t know whether the banks are just being overly cautious. What are your thoughts on this? I know you mentioned in your very first podcast, if you are buying new, you are most likely paying too much. We think the apartment is really good quality and ticks a lot of our boxes. Help! Thanks for your time.

 

 

 

 

 

255 | How Australia’s Best Property Investors Think, Act and Invest

By in Podcast

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Have you ever wondered how you stack up against Australia’s most astute property investors?

It’s human nature to want to know how you compare against others… even more so when these folks have something in common with you… and ESPECIALLY if they possess a trait you admire AND have achieved something you yourself are aiming for!

So, guess what? Today we’re unpacking what some of Australia’s best and most experienced property investors are…

1.      Currently thinking

2.      Currently doing

3.      Currently approaching their investment strategy!

And to do all this, we’re drilling down to the exact answers given on the most recent Property Investment Professionals of Australia’s (PIPA) Property Investment Sentiment Survey 2019! This reveals the mood, confidence and key trends of existing and aspiring property investors all across the country.

The question is… how do you compare???

 

Free Resources Mentioned

 

Today’s insights…

 

 

 

 

253 | Top Tips For First Home Buyers

By in Podcast, Q&A

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It can be a rough ride when you’re just starting your home ownership journey — and trying to get your foot up on the property ladder is, let’s be honest… really hard!

So today’s episode is all about helping our “Firstie” folks! That’s right… our very First Home Buyers!!! And we’re going Q&A style so we can stretch out the ol’ helping hand to our Firsties, and our Mums & Dads of Firsties, and haul all of them up on the ladder with us!!

And if you’re scratching your head thinking, “I’m not a first home buyer, or even a parent, family member or friend of one…” — no probs. You’ll learn what it’s REALLY like to face today’s property market for the first time… and you might just pick up some tips that you can actually use on your own journey… or just pick up some nuggets of new gold and file these away for when you want to impress someone with your property and homeownership knowledge. (Suss below for a summary of what we’re discussing and the exact questions we answer in today’s episode.)

 

You’ll learn Top Tips, like these…

  • How Much Of A Deposit is Enough? (seriously.)
  • The First Home Buyer Scheme
  • The Best Way To Get Ready For A Mortgage
  • Credit Scores
  • Higher Yielding Properties vs. Capital Growth Properties
  • How A Single Woman Can Get On The Property Ladder

 

Free Stuff Mentioned + Extra Support…

 

The Exact Questions Answered in Today’s Show…

Question from Jake

So we have bought a lemon!!! We have purchased a lemon, it’s been fantastic as it’s high yielding and we have a low income as I’m still studying. But I’m about to graduate and are unsure if we should move the money into a more balanced property, or if the cost of selling etc, will just lose too much money? The struggle is even when I graduated we will both be on fairly low incomes so, is a high cash flow possibility a benefit for us? Thanks for your time. I love the podcast, I’ve read the book and I’m excited for what the future holds!

 

Question from Joel

Hi Bryce, Ben and Stiggy. I am currently studying at university and working two jobs (48hrs a week) to support my partner and newborn and have been utilising the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS). I’ve used this for two reasons one for the salary sacrifice tax saving, but to also reduce my taxable income to minimise my Help/HECS Debt repayments whilst studying. I’m saving $750 into the scheme per month, and have approximately $10k in total at the moment.

Because The Liberal Party introduced the new first home loan scheme at the last election, I have been worried that they would wind up the FHSS before I could access my savings, essentially locking it into my superfund. This would set me back in savings by 3-5 years. Do you have any insight into this?  I understand that your advice is general in nature, and isn’t directed to my personal standings, but would you be utilising the FHSS if you were a first home buyer? Thanks, Joel

 

Question from Tom

Hi Guys, Love the podcast, found it recently and have already gone through 70 episodes (bit of a way to go!). I’m currently in the process of purchasing a PPR for $550k. I’ve saved around 15% as a deposit but will be using a parental guarantee as collateral to free up my deposit amount for a value-add renovation and as my buffer going forward. My mortgage broker has suggested a P&I loan with an offset account, but has suggested an interest only loan isn’t possible with a parental guarantee as the bank likes the debt paid down to release the second (parental) mortgage. Is this the case? Can the guarantee be released on money in an offset, or is the only option waiting for debt pay down till the release at which point the loan is refit to an IO loan?

 

Question from Kelsey

Hey, just wanted to flying the flag for young females. I’m a new first homeowner. I’m 28 and a primary school teacher, and bought a two bed unit (1960s) in East Sydney (20 mins from CBD, 15 from the beach) in June. I paid $520,000 (negotiated from $549,000) and plan to rent it out and live closer to work in the CBD after January – I’m living here for the first 6 months to avoid stamp duty and do a little cosmetic work on the place. To save for the 15% deposit, I’ve always worked my regular job, and weekend work or afternoon work alongside it. Man, it has been hard work clocking up the hours and saving, especially in an expensive city and wanting to enjoy life on the weekends with my friends as well.

However, a weekly savings plan, and just always living a pretty simple lifestyle below my weekly earnings got me here. On top of that, I just competed my Masters of Education, which also has taken a bit of money and time – and tracking the property market takes a fair bit of time investment! Additionally, I’ve travelled overseas every year for the last 3 years to volunteer teach in countries like India, Indonesia and Fiji so I haven’t been too strict in saving everything I earn. Basically, I wanted to show that even a young single female can be a homeowner in the current 2019 property market. It took more than money, but great friends with advice, a lot of courage to just jump in and do it, and of course the invaluable help from your podcast. The reassurance I felt from listening was invaluable.The journey so far feels surreal as for so long media has banged on that’s its impossible. It’s definitely hard, but doable. Thanks again, Kelsey

 

Question from Ryan

I am 23 with roughly $36,000 in the bank. I will start full time work in my graduate role at the start of 2020 and am hoping to buy my first investment property within the year. What is the best way to get ready for my first mortgage? Should I get a credit card to improve my credit history as I have never required one to date or are there any other recommendations to make your case more appealing to the banks? How long in advance of a purchase should I contact a mortgage broker and would it be beneficial to start a discussion with them before I am ready to purchase? Thanks for all the great content, I’m about half way through all of the podcasts and have found them incredibly beneficial.

 

Question from Lisa

Hey Guys. First of all I would like to say how thankful I am for you taking the time to make the show and share your wealth of knowledge. A friend of mine had turned me onto your podcast and I can easily say without it I would have already made a horrible investment mistake!

I’m working my way through your episodes and am still quite far behind. My husband and I started saving a bit late in life but wound up with $50K in the savings. I am very conscious of preparing for our future now and want to use property investment as a means to do it. Not that long ago I listened to one of your episodes where you had mentioned getting started with $50K. Is that still possible now? I have a completely open mind to investing and there are areas where you can still get properties at lower prices that can provide some growth.

My question to you is: in this day and age now, can you only get started when you have over $100K for the deposit? Or is it still possible to start with around $50K?

 

P.S. Got more First Home Buyer Questions? Let us know here.

P.P.S. Got any other Questions for us? Let us know here.

 

 

 

 

252 | Property Game Changer – Knowing The Future Suburb Values Today Plus Your Money Challenges

By in Podcast, Q&A

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If these two questions sound like things you wanna hear more about, then you’re about to have a lot of fun with this episode!

 

Q1. … interested to find out the locations set to soar over the next three years???

Q2. … got questions about how to be better with your money??

 

As you’ve probably figured out by now folks, these are, of course, the questions we’re answering on today’s seriously special episode!!

Here’s why… not only are we addressing the main struggles that people on the coalface are dealing with when trying to use, stick to or set up Money SMARTS, like…

  • How to trap surplus cash
  • How to stick to a seven day float and get rid of overspending for good
  • When to spend on a credit card versus using cash
  • How to get your partner on the same page
  • What to do if you’re overwhelmed

But also…. we’ve got Jeremy Sheppard — one of Australia’s leading Property Analysts, Research Director at Select Residential Property and Creator of DSR Data, our other third of LocationScore… and just plain ol’ data nut — BACK on the couch!! …. And what Jez is about to reveal to you is doing to CHANGE THE GAME of property investing forever.

Specifically… how you pick the best locations and hot growth markets predicted to soar over the next three years!! Yep, this episode will (hopefully) knock your socks off!

 

Free Stuff Mentioned…

 

Our AFL Winners…

** drumroll please **

1st Place – Property Portfolio Plan ($4,950): Father of Dragons

2nd Place – Next-Step Property Plan ($2,970): Terry G

3rd Place – An Hour Chat with Bryce and Ben (at least $1?): Rhino 4

 

 Top Five Highlights…

  1. The Tool That’ll Work Out A Suburb’s Capital Growth (Down To The Dollar Value) Over The Next 3 Years
  2. A Flyover of The Growth Spots in Each State
  3. The Most Exciting Capital City For Property Investors Right Now
  4. Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Money SMARTS Answered
  5. The Two Things You Only Need To Do To Change Your Money Habits For Good (And Get Your Partner to Do The Same)!

 

 

 

Report: I Have A Property, What’s Next?

By in Free Resources

Time poor? Curious to learn how to invest in property without it taking up too much of your precious hours? Wondering when and what your next property should be? Keen to get answers to your property investment questions right now without the fluff so you can get an honest, professional opinion on how you might be able to make this happen for you and your family?

Good news. Inside these pages, you’ll find exactly that — common questions that time-poor folk and parents with kids ask us.

And as property investors who happen to have a couple of kids of our own and work fulltime (most weeks “it’s fulltime… and then some”), we get that you’re already juggling it all — taking care of your family, holding down a demanding job, dealing with the stressors of everyday life, trying to remain sane throughout it all, etc. etc. — we know that adding “investing in property” into that mix might seem like an incredulous and perhaps impossible feat.

The truth? It doesn’t have to be.

So we want to help you out… Fill in the form below and we’ll send you the free report!

Free resources: Different Type of Investors Report

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