With Commercial Property Managers … What Should You Expect?

.
Commercial-Property-Management

OF COURSE, everyone’s expectations will differ as to how your property should be managed. But over the years, my clients have provided a few clues. And these have been rather helpful in creating a simple checklist.

Good Property Management is the Key to Your SuccessAnd so once you’ve finally acquired a suitable Commercial property, any ongoing Management will need to make sure that … [Read more…]

4 Key Tips for Couples Arranging Loans

Loan-Approved

WHEN BORROWING against Residential or Commercial properties for investment, it is important to keep in mind the most effective ways of claiming tax benefits, if you wish to maximise the return from your investment.

This is particularly so, when the purchasers are couples — because working with the correct loan set-up can ensure the household tax burden is considerably reduced. [Read more…]

How to Manage Those Fearsome Project Variations

Variations
YOU THOUGHT you had negotiated a fixed-price contract for your planned building works, only to find yourself being progressively hit with expensive “Variations” as the construction phase progressed.

So, perhaps it is worth exploring how this comes about, in a little more detail.

What is a Variation? [Read more…]

Commercial Property and Your SMSF — Understand The True Benefits

SMSF+Depn
Self Managed Super Funds & Property Depreciation (Part 1).

FOR MANY AUSTRALIANS, superannuation is one of the most important investments they have to help them save for the future. 


Although most people may choose professionally managed super funds, an emerging trend has seen a growing number of people who elect to set up a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF).


A few Facts

According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO): In the four years leading up to the 30 June 2012, the SMSF sector grew by $109 billion or 33 per cent. In dollar terms, this represents the strongest growing super sector. The SMSF sector contributed the largest proportion of overall growth with 42 per cent of the total growth in super assets.
 [Read more…]

Never Cross Collateralize Your Loan Arrangements

Cross-Collateralizing-2
Part 2: Proper Loan Structuring can give you Protection.

LAST TIME (in Part 1), you discovered why the banks should not be allowed to call the shots. And perhaps a couple more Case Studies will help to further explain that.

Let’s take a look at what happened “Kevin”

He was a very successful property investor who had an impressive portfolio, consisting of several residential and commercial properties.

Kevin was able to build this portfolio through a mixture of a good knowledge of the market, savvy negotiating skills, a high-income job with a resources company and, it has to be said, some luck in picking the trends.

Kevin’s problem was that he wanted to retire early — which is something someone of his net worth should easily be able to do. But he made one major mistake. [Read more…]

Commercial Property Investors are Relishing the Current Drift

.
Confusion
EVER SINCE Julia Gillard announced the September election in February … the ensuring political hiatus has meant almost everything (including our thinking) has simply been moving sideways.

Neither up, nor down … just drifting!

And that is completely understandable — because, when uncertainty reigns … people tend to do nothing.

What are the Experts saying? [Read more…]

Where There’s a Will … There’s a Way

Wills
TO DIE “Intestate” is to die without having made a Will. That means the distribution of your estate would then be in accordance with the law, and potentially against your wishes.

And that’s because, without a Will to provide a clear allocation of your assets and property … estates are divided according to the applicable state or territory legislation.

The legislation provides for the distribution of an estate in light of considerations such as … whether the deceased leaves any partners, children, living parents, brothers, sisters, or children of brothers and sisters. [Read more…]

As a Developer or Investor … What Should You Expect from Your Project Manager?

Office-Refurb
EVERY CONSTRUCTION or refurbishment project is unique, in its specific requirements and challenges.

Accordingly, each project requires a broad range of skills and experience — which a professional project manager needs to be able to deliver.

So what is it you should be looking for, when appointing a Project Manager? [Read more…]

Be Wary of Bank Bills

BankBills2
Part 2: Remain in Control of your Destiny

LAST WEEK, we made a start on understanding the pros and cons of Bank bills. But you also have other options.

Non-bill facilities are available through the big four banks, but are generally priced in a way as to only be competitive at smaller loan amounts.

While the big four banks are generally able to price better than smaller lenders, there are other factors considered to be important than merely the cost. And for small business, the interest rate on their borrowing is a relatively small consideration, in the overall scheme of things.

Far more important is access to credit, and flexibility of being able to draw up and down on that credit. Because, having this ability will reduce your overall interest costs in the longer run. [Read more…]

How to Complete a Building Project on Time & on Budget

ProjectManagement2
AS YOU DISCOVERED last week, carrying out a proper due diligence is vital for any significant Commercial property purchase.

And that’s part of our role … assessing the overall structure, along with the various building services — simply to ensure they are all in good order.

However as time goes by, you may well have the need to upgrade or extend your building … if only to meet the changing needs of your tenants.

Yet this is where many investors seem to get into trouble — by undertaking something well beyond the limits of their capabilities. [Read more…]

Be Wary of Using Bank Bills

BankBills
Part 1: An Understanding, plus the Hidden Costs

WHENEVER YOU ARE financing a commercial property investment or a business, the types of funding can be broadly classified into two categories: bill facilities and non-bill facilities.

The Concept

Bill facilities are charged as a margin over the inter-bank lending rates, published each day in the Financial Review as commercial bills; while non-bill facilities are charged as a straight interest rate.

The funds for these facilities may also be raised through the money markets, but they are priced on a simple interest rate basis over a loan term. [Read more…]