Property Investing Essentials For Dummies: Australian Edition

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	How This Book Is Different
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Understanding Property as an Investment Vehicle
	Chapter 1 Understanding Real Estate as an Investment
		Finding Your Motivation
		Stacking Up Real Estate Against Other Investments
			Returns
			Risk
			Liquidity
			Income- and wealth-producing potential
			Capital requirements
			Ability to add value
			Tax advantages
				Deductible expenses
				Depreciation and capital works allowances
				Negative-gearing losses
				Halving of capital gains tax
		Determining Whether Investing in Real Estate Is for You
			Do you have sufficient time?
			Can you hire and fire?
			Does real estate interest you?
		Fitting Real Estate into Your Financial Plans
			Ensure your best personal financial health
			Protect your property and yourself with insurance
			Consider superannuation and property investment
			Think about asset allocation
		Being Mindful of Performance Statistics
	Chapter 2 Developing Your Property Investment Strategy
		Diversifying Away from Home
		Purchasing a Holiday Home
		Considering Commercial Real Estate
		Uncovering Undeveloped Land
		Considering Rentvesting
		Flipping Out over Buying and Flipping
			Flipping new and existing homes
			Heeding the risks
		Looking at Property Development
			Understanding the process and the risks
			Vacant land
			The knock-down job
			Redevelop or renovate?
	Chapter 3 Working with Experts
		Working with Real Estate Professionals to Buy and Sell Property
			Understanding what agents do
			On the lookout: Buyers’ agents and QPIAs
				Understanding the advantages of buyers’ agents
				Considering the costs of buyers’ agents
			Commission? You bet
			Making the most of real estate professionals
			Spruiker alert!
			Dealing with developers
		Partnering with Property Managers
		Keeping Relationships Professional
Part 2 Deciding on Finance and Where to Buy
	Chapter 4 Considering Financing Options
		Borrowing Against Property Equity
			What is equity?
			Watch those bank valuations
		Advanced Funding Strategies
			Leveraging existing real estate investments
			Partners and investors
			Seller financing
			Getting in the door with good credit
		Mortgages That Should Make You Think Twice
			Interest-capitalising loans
			Recourse financing
		Accepting Vendor’s Terms
	Chapter 5 Deciding Where to Invest
		Evaluating a Region: The Big Picture
			Population growth
			Job growth and income levels
		Investigating Your Intended Real Estate Market
			Understanding Australia’s major property markets
			Considering supply and demand
				Building permits
				Availability of alternatives — renting versus buying
				Vacancy rates
				Rental levels
				Path of progress
			Looking at barriers to entry
				Environmental issues
				Shortage of buildable land
			Analysing the impact of governments
		Mastering Sellers’ Markets and Buyers’ Markets
			Real estate cycles
			Timing real estate markets
	Chapter 6 Uncovering Investment-Grade Areas and Properties
		On the Block: Metropolitan Properties
			Inner city
			Suburban
			The ripple effect
		Seek and You Shall Find: The Sea, Ski or Tree Change
			Holiday homes — a general warning
			Heading for the coast
			Short- and long-term rentals
				Short term
				Long term
		Comparing Communities Come Investment Time
			Employment opportunities
			Schools
			Public transport
			Amenities
			Crime rates
			Pride of ownership
			Role play: What attracts you to the property?
			Property knowledge sheets
		Understanding Value
			Understanding the principles of valuation
			Hiring a valuer
			Making capital improvements
		Evaluating Existing Leases
			Lease transferability and analysis
			Comprehending residential leases
			Making sense of commercial leases
Part 3 Managing and Growing Your Portfolio
	Chapter 7 Property Management 101
		Managing Yourself or Hiring Experts?
			Ignorance is no excuse
			Assessing your skills as a property manager
			Hiring professional management
				Researching local property managers
				Agency fees and charges
		Renting Vacant Properties
			Establishing tenant-selection criteria
			Determining lease length
			Setting the rent
			Adding value through renovations and upgrades
				Enhancing external appearances
				Improving what’s inside
				Using contractors
			Advertising for tenants
				Efficiently scheduling showings
				Showing vacant versus occupied rentals
				Communicating with prospective tenants
			Taking and verifying applications
				Rental history
				Employment and income
				Notifying applicants of your decision
		Signing Leases and Collecting Money
			Reviewing and signing documents
			Collecting the money
			Inspecting the property
		Working with Existing Tenants
			Entering into a new rental agreement
			Increasing rents
		Avoiding Discrimination Complaints
			Being fair to families and children
			Dealing with tenants with disabilities
			Dealing with tenants and pets
	Chapter 8 Building Your Portfolio
		Using Property’s Power Tools
			Compounding returns
			Powering with leverage
			Combining compound returns and leverage
		Buying Your Second Investment Property
		Buying the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Beyond
			Property three
			Property six
		Growing Equity
			Getting comfortable with big debt
			Servicing a ‘menagerie of mortgages’
			Keeping an eye on leverage
		Understanding Good Debt versus Bad Debt
		Diversifying Your Portfolio
			Across a city or state
			Across Australia
			Building an income stream
Part 4 Part of Tens
	Chapter 9 Ten Property Investment Options to Consider
		Established Property
		New Property
		Interstate Investing
		Blue-Chip Locations
		Regional Areas
		Minor Regional Locations
		Small Property Development
		Unit Complexes
		Master-Planned Communities
		In-Fill Development
Index
EULA