It’s Q & A day BUT first things first … thank you!!

We have officially nailed our Movember target of $5,000!!!

And we’ve been busy parcelling The Armchair Guide to Property Investing for those of you who donated $25 or more (yep, for those who haven’t donated yet, you can still get a free book if you do this)!

PLUS, as Ben promised, he will be doing a Free Webinar on Working Out Your Retirement Gap … so stay tuned!!

In the first few minutes of today’s show, we also make an announcement on what happens if we hit our next target. (It has to do with Stiggy!!!)

 

But back to today’s Q & A on EXIT STRATEGIES, here’s what you’re in for:

• What are the exit strategies in retirement?
• Should you “live off the equity” when you retire?
• Why do you need to know your superannuation numbers?
• How do you reduce your debt?
• How many properties do you need to retire?
• What’s the Rule of 25 again?
• Should you sell an off-the-plan apartment before settlement?
• Are the days of large property portfolios over?
• Should the purpose of investing be tax deduction?

 

The Q’s are as follows, folks:

 

Question from Lou:

Hi guys … long time listener (you take the edge off Sydney commuting, so thank you)!

My husband and I currently have six properties in NSW (nothing in Sydney metro … yet) valued at $2.3 million and LVR at 64% and gross yield of 8.2%.

We are both 40(ish) with two kids under 5. Our aim is to retire early with a $100K income. Reading your book and watching the videos and listening to the podcasts, I am wondering if retirement income is always based on rental income alone, or do you ever recommend borrowing off the equity as part of an early retirement strategy (with major buffers of course!). We’ve been very wrapped up in the acquisition phase that it’s hard to see where the end is especially when rents seem to creep up so slowly … I would love your thoughts on ‘living off the equity’ as part of a strategy.

 

Question from Chris:

Hi, I just started listening to your podcast. Can I get some advice from you guys regarding this case?

Mid of 2016, I paid 40k down payment (10%) for an off-the-plan 1 bed room apartment in Melbourne CBD (close to Melbourne Central.) The settlement is in 2018.

After getting some education from several property investment resources including your podcast (which I should have done first), I realised that I had probably made a rookie mistake. The purpose of this investment was tax deduction (another rookie mistake, I know).

Now, I still have some cash (around $200K) in my home loan offset account (saving and equity from a remortgage). If I want to start building a long-term portfolio (I’m 37, 2 young kids), what shall be my next step? Do you suggest I sell off-the-plan apartment before settlement? I have a very bad feeling about that off-the-plan apartment before settlement? I have a very bad feeling about that investment …

Look forward to your advice!

 

Question from Sonya

I’ve started listening to you guys (and yes, I tune out to the football banter) and yes, I have bought your book. My question is: What determines whether or not an investment property is a ‘dud’, and should you get out of it as soon as these signs start to appear? We bought an investment property in Thornbury, Melbourne. The area has had great growth in the last five years, average above 8%. Our property is a 2 bedroom townhouse, circa 1970s. It has grown about 4% pa and rent has not increased in the 5 years we’ve had it. Rental yield is about 4%. I believe the location is the problem as it is not a walk to the main hipster drag. We have cash flow to purchase another property, but could have more if we sell this ‘dud’. And we have a capital gains loss from a piece of land we sold a while ago, which we can use to offset any capital gain we may make if we sell the ‘dud’. Does this have signs of a property ‘dud’? Do we hold out and wait, or do we exit now, use the capital loss to our benefit and buy another property?

 

Question from Christian:

1. I would love to listen to an episode dedicated to exit strategy and retirement.

These types of strategies, how to exit, how much income to expect in retirement etc.

2. Are the days of large property portfolios over?? Given the current APRA restrictions and banks extremely conservative assessment rates, many investors with 3 – 4 properties are finding it difficult to borrow more for further purchases. Banks are assessing existing borrowings and P&I loans with rates at 7.5%. Rental income at 80% and negative gearing not taken into account. For an investor with 2 ­­– 3 properties or more, that kills your servicing to borrow more. Yes, it’s a first world problem, but we need to build a decent asset base to get the passive income stream down the track!

Thoughts??

Love your work!!