Depreciation : 4 Myths Keeping You From
Maximising Your Secret Tax Advantage

Capture The Benefits

Capture The Benefits

Depreciation is probably the most under-used weapon to legitimately shelter a significant portion of your property income.

And as a Commercial Investor, you really do have an unfair advantage over somebody investing in only residential property.

Therefore, let’s now set about dispelling a few of the common Myths concerning Depreciation.
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Victoria is Starting to Shine

Victoria may not have grown as fast as Queensland and WA over the whole of 2008.

December Quarter Growth Figures

December Quarter Growth Figures


However, it far outstripped every other State for the December — once the full impact of the global turmoil had started to take effect.

And as mentioned in an earlier posting … the positive impact of the Bush Fire Relief funds will certainly help to shore up Victoria’s position even further.

You May be a Doubter … But I say: “Yes, we can!”

The Weekend Financial Review ran several articles, which seemed to echo many of the sentiments contained in my last blog about the Capital City Markets — but perhaps putting things a little more bluntly.

h3. Brisbane

Qeensland DebtMark Ludlow (on page 2) referred to Queensland as having moved from “boom state to gloom state” — because of its heavy reliance on resources. [Read more…]

Which Australian Office Markets are in Trouble?

Queensland seems to have been hardest hit. And in particular the Gold Coast, where vacancy levels have soared to around 18%.

But the difficulties confronting Queensland (and fellow mining State WA) are not necessarily reflected Australia-wide.
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Taking Stock of Commercial Property

As I mentioned in a recent email to some Clients, it’s been surprising how few quality properties have been forced onto the market — given the difficulties caused by current global turmoil.

You’ve heard so much lately as to how bad things are. But let’s undertake a quick comparison for Australia — between 1990 and now.
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Year-end Recap, on Where Things Stand!

During October, business borrowing actually expanded by a healthy 1.1 per cent — to be 13.2 per cent for the 12-month period.

However, business debt and credit cards are considered more risky than home loans. Therefore, banks will raise their risk premium in these two areas; and not lower those lending rates, as much as the RBA’s official rate cuts.
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Recognise the Investment Opportunities …

Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers are cutting back on their spending around Australia. And it’s likely that luxury items and overseas travel will be the most affected.

The Flight to ValueA recent article in The Age expounded “The Flight to Value” — where Australian Property Monitors reported a 24% drop in the median price for Toorak Homes, in the 6 months to September.
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How You Can Capture a Strategic Advantage

With the recent financial turmoil, you’re seeing a number of potential buyers who have pulled back from the Commercial Property Market for the time being.

Therefore, for some properties, you are starting to see the “Neglect Effect” come into play.
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Some Answers in These Troubled Times

There are a couple of questions on the minds of Commercial Property Investors at the moment.

And they go something like this.
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Will there be an Office Market Collapse?

According to the recent Property Council (PCA) report in the Financial Review (AFR) … the 6 months to June saw overall demand for offices fall around Australia — as business confidence has gradually waned throughout the world.
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Trying to Make Sense of Things?

There has been much made of the poor US Retail Sales Data for December.

However, the figures were only down 0.4% on November. The most likely explanation being that some early Christmas shopping occurred November; and the increase in gift-card sales will not come through until early in 2008.

Clearly, the Sub-prime issues are having some effect. But, if you follow HS Dent at all — their view is that … “a short, mild recession is indeed likely, and we are arguably already in the middle of it.” (Update: Wednesday 16 January 2008).
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