The New York rocks are fragments of Pangaea, which formed when the ancient supercontinent split. It is these fragments of very hard rock which provide the perfect foundations for New York’s highest buildings. Where Manhattan schist can be found very close to the surface you can build high, and so
Were you happy with your land tax bill this year?
I suspect we are never happy with our land tax bill. I try to sooth myself and keep a positive spin on paying tax by saying it means we have assets so be thankful. If we didn't have any income or assets then we wouldn't pay tax. That may work some of the time but when the tax has increased by an
How our team works – and gets the best results for landlords
Can you imagine an airline where the pilots help clean the plane? Back in 1972 The Southwest Airlines staff knew they were fighting for their jobs as other airlines were trying to put them out of business. Being the underdogs spurred them on to work as an efficient team. There was no demarkation
Better Design for Melbourne Apartments
Recently there has been a lot of coverage in the press about the enormous number of apartments currently being built in the city. Perhaps the most troubling news is that there may be an over supply but I think worse than the over supply aspect is that many are of very poor quality. This has been
February Rental Market
This month the rental market has been busy. Each year at this time we see the influx of overseas and country students to Melbourne. I have made this short video to give investors a look at some rental return examples which were rented this month across Melbourne
Housing affordability – and a backyard option
The prices of housing in the larger Australian cities and the cost of renting are constantly in the news. Yet one thing we don't hear much of in Victoria is the 'Granny Flat'. It came to mind for me over the holiday period when I was visiting my daughter and her family in Singapore. They are
Does your property have potentially dangerous external gas pipes?
A couple of days ago the ABC featured the following on the news. As many of our landlords have properties built in the last ten years I thought it important that I bring this issue to their attention. What shocked me on the report was that the reporter went to a random street in the Western Suburbs
