Growing Pains: Michael Jackson Forced to Sell Neverland
It seems that no matter who you are, the credit crunch is snapping at your heals. And, as we seem to be hearing more and more each day, people from all walks of life are losing the battle.
Michael Jackson, he of the world’s biggest selling album of all time, “Thriller” (and on its 25th [...]
Hide Your Personals! Protecting your privacy when selling your home!
Putting your property on the market poses two very personal concerns:
invasion of privacy: that your personal life will be on show;
theft: your personal effects are prey to any “prospective” buyers
De-clutter your property before placing it on the market for sale: this is my first tip of advice for those vendors concerned with their privacy being [...]
If in doubt with DIY: don’t!
Stories of renovation failures are nothing new. Over the last few years we have become accustomed to watching countless homeowners and their DIY disasters, often to our sympathetic but all-knowing amusement.
We always think we could do better, and many of us have decided to prove so, sometimes with good results and other times with [...]
Tax tips for property investors
With the current tightening of the property market and increases in the cost of living it has never been more important to take full advantage of any eligible tax deductions available.
When it comes to property investors, it pays to have all of your deductions accounted for. We have developed a list of tax tips for [...]
How to feature your home for a movie or magazine shoot
Featuring your home on a television show, in a movie, or in a house and home-wares magazine can be exciting and also make a little bit of cash for you.
There are, of course, certain issues to take into account, not simply to increase the opportunity of making your home a star, but to protect [...]
Simple ideas to start a part-time business
Ideas cost nothing, so here’s a few to hopefully give you a jolt into helping you find your niche:
Personal services. Can you save someone else time? Running errands for seniors, preparing someone’s tax returns or walking your neighbors’ dogs are examples of valuable services to offer.
Gardening and landscaping. Consider the growing garden trade. Homeowners who [...]
The properties of our politicians
As well as his residential home, former Coalition Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer and his wife own a vineyard.
Former employment and workplace relations minister Joe Hockey, and his wife Melissa Babbage, live in their home in Hunters Hill, but together also own a Canberra property in the exclusive suburb of Forrest, as well as investment [...]
Layman’s Terms: Low Doc & No Doc Finance Explained
These types of loans are generally suited to small business & self employed. Specifically these loans have been designed for borrowers who may not be able or do not want to substantiate their income for a variety of reasons.
Lenders of these loans require an applicant to evidence business activity, currently the primary test for most [...]
Michael Jackson on the Brink of Losing Neverland
Trying to raise USD23 million in mortgage finance for a home is not easy in today’s credit squeeze environment. This stark reality is facing Michael Jackson who now faces losing his fantasy land home Neverland.
The mortgage broker trying to find fresh financing for Jackson on his $23 million loan held by Fortress Investments is [...]
Shopping List: Bread, Milk and a New Home!?
Tesco has set the cat amongst the pigeons of UK estate agencies and property portals by announcing that it intends to launch an online estate agency service. The financial strength behind Tesco could see undercutting the traditional estate agencies. The move is response to the difficulty it experienced with it private sellers website services. Rightmove [...]
Detonate or Renovate? Japan’s Tradition
Homes in Japan last for only 30 years. The government wants to change that!
Even though Japanese houses are supposed to be built to withstand earthquakes, few of them defy demolition for more than a few decades. The housing stock is amazingly young: more than 60% of all Japanese homes were built after 1980 (see chart). [...]
No Act: Keeping the Cirque de Soleil Show on the Road
If the logistics of mounting Cirque du Soleil’s signature big tent productions seem daunting, so is the behind-the-scenes maneuvering to keep entertainers and other employees properly insured and protected.
That task continues to grow as the privately held Montreal entertainment enterprise adds to its eight touring troupes, five resident shows and related projects.
Coordinating benefits for Cirque [...]
Landlord Insurance
I have just received a notification from my property manager suggesting I take out landlord’s insurance for an investment property I have recently bought. I already have building, contents and public liability cover. Is this just another unnecessary product that I’m probably already covered for?
No it isn’t just another unnecessary product! One of the biggest [...]
Labor Offers First Home Buyers a Lifeline
Should Labor win Government, it has promised to establish low-tax saving accounts to encourage first home buyers to save more towards a house deposit.
Under the scheme, which will cost $600 million over four years, first home buyers can make a pre-tax deposit of up to $5000 per year into a special deposit saving account that [...]
