Commercial Property Investing: 5 Golden Rules

Golden-RulesWITH THE PROPER guidance, Commercial property will prove to be a very rewarding investment — and in different ways.

However, there are several Golden Rules you really should keep in mind. [Read more…]

Commercial Property: Looking Ahead

Confidence is now returningTHROUGHOUT the last half of 2012, you would have seen our articles consistently predicting a turn-around in confidence, early in 2013.

And more particularly, we also explained why there would be a rebound in China’s growth — following transition to the new Administration. [Read more…]

Commercial Property & The Economy … It’s Purely a Confidence Issue!

The TrueEconomic Picture

THE REST of the world looks upon Australia with envy. And you only need to scan these graphs to understand why.

It all comes down to a feeling of comparative well-being.

Australians have had it so good, for so long … that the current slower pace somehow makes us feel gloomy — because it’s simply “not normal”.

Meanwhile, most other countries just wish they were in our position. [Read more…]

More on Industrial Property …

ONLY RECENTLY, I flagged the emerging opportunity being provided by Industrial property. But I felt it was important for you to understand the underlying reason for that.

In a nutshell, it comes down to our persistently high dollar.

What?s driving the dollar crazy?

In last weekend’s Financial Review (page 24), Joanna Heath posed the following question:

Can you name Australia’s second-largest export?

She went on to point out that it’s not … coal, gas or wheat. Instead, it is actually Australian Commonwealth Bonds! [Read more…]

As An Aspiring Commercial Property Investor … Why Are You Procrastinating?

Ready ... Fire ... Aim
I THINK it was management guru, Tom Peters, who came up with probably the best advice on how to overcome procrastination — stemming from the need to have everything perfect BEFORE taking action.

And even though his advice may have originated in the 1980s … it certainly still holds true today, when it comes to Commercial property investors.

Tom Peters’ simple strategy was: “Ready … Fire … Aim!” [Read more…]

Are There Genuine Signs of The Long Hibernation Being Over?

Emerging from HibernationIN VARIOUS recent articles, I’ve tried to explain how Australia’s underlying fundamentals are actually very solid.

And by most measures, our economy seems to be travelling at close to its full capacity.

However, the contradiction is that Australia’s budget should now be running at a substantial surplus. And the reason it’s not relates to a number of structural issues. [Read more…]

Inflation, Growth and Commercial Property

You need to Look Behind the Official Inflation figuresTHE LABOR government is crowing about its latest statistical achievements — low inflation, low unemployment, strong growth and booming investment.

So, why aren’t Australians feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth and well-being? Probably, as my earlier articles have explained … it all comes down to an overall lack of confidence.

Most people are still expecting the RBA to further reduce interest rates. However, barring a European meltdown, that would seem to be rather unlikely in the foreseeable future.

You only need to study these graphs to understand the RBA’s hesitancy — because clearly, the average measures of inflation currently sit at the bottom of the target band adopted by the Reserve Bank. [Read more…]

Retailing Set to Rebound in 2013

THE FIRST half of 2012 has been rather dismal for retailers. Figures coming out of the ABS tend to confirm anecdotal evidence that retailing is doing it tough.

And none more so than department stores, fashion and electronics. Whereas, food and entertainment remain the only bright spots. [Read more…]

Commercial Property Attracting Overseas Buyers

Melbourne Ofices in hot demand by overseas investorsACCORDING to a recent report by Property Watch, overseas investors appear to be strongly buying Office buildings, within Docklands and the CBD of Melbourne.

Currently, these Office purchases account for around 36% of all very major deals being transacted — and they seem to be driven by Melbourne having the 2nd lowest vacancy rate, after Perth. [Read more…]

How Will the RBA’s Decision Affect Commercial Property?

NOT EVERYONE was expecting the RBA to further ease the cash rate, when its Board met this week.

Some felt the Board would simply “keep its power dry”, and just wait to see how the outcome of the 17 June election in Greece unfolded.

Some economists like Saul Eslake (of Merrill Lynch) felt that the $2.5 billion of cash payments by way of government compensation for the carbon tax, would serve as “enough stimulus” for now.

But maybe, such thinking took too simplistic a view of things. [Read more…]

Is It Wise To Borrow When You Buy Commercial Property?

Prudent Borrowing can accelerate your return

There is no doubt, you can certainly accelerate your overall return from Commercial property, by gearing up with a loan.

Even so, you should FIRST make sure that you can say “Yes” to each of the following questions. [Read more…]