investing in residential real estate

Investing in property has been a popular and powerful trend both in Australia and overseas.  The Global Financial Crisis certainly took some of the shine off the market, particularly in the US and Europe, but locally it remains a good option for those looking to put their money into solid bricks and mortar.

Overtime, property can and has delivered lucrative returns, providing investors do so with appropriate financial advice and ensuring suitable management of assets.  With any investment, there is always some risk.  A well thought out strategy will mitigate these risks. 

We can assist in your search for a suitable investment property.  As with searching for a home, you need to have a very clear idea on what you want your property to DO for you.  How long do you intend to keep it?  How much can you afford?  How will you manage your weekly outgoings?   Who will manage your property?  What sort of input do you require from your property manager? 

If you are considering investing in property, you need to have a very clear understanding of all of the above questions.  We have always maintained that (in our area), property will appreciate well.  But never lose sight of the fact that there are significant, once off expenses required to purchase a property and it’s not a liquid investment like shares. 

Our approachable and flexible Asset Management team has been managing properties in the local area for close to 20 years.  Whether you are purchasing through us or not, we will work closely with you to ensure you have the right information to proceed with your decision.   And once you have secured the right investment property for you, you can be assured that your valuable asset is in the right hands. 

There is a plethora of information available to potential investors in property.  Seminars, books, magazines, television shows, blogs, podcasts - you can find whatever you need!

The reality is though most of us are time poor and we will quickly find the information, resources and advisors that we trust.

Whether you choose to invest in property is your own decision based on your financial circumstances and personal preferences.  We would be foolish to advise you at this point, but obviously we have a strong belief in the Property Market and we have years of experience and data to support this belief.

We can assist you when you have made the decision to invest in property.  We can help you target the right property for your particular requirements and our excellent Asset Management team can assist you in getting the very best returns from your investment property.

So let us help you with your search.  Be clear on what you want the property to do.  What sort of appreciation are you anticipating?  What sort of rental returns do you need?  Are you prepared to do some 'work' on the property?  Answers to those sorts of questions will determine where you buy and what sort of property you can and want to buy. 

We have dealt with numerous property investors over time and we understand the kind of information they need to make an informed decision.  We have many landlords who we manage multiple properties for, so our approach to this is clearly working.

Cunninghams Property has been leasing properties in Sydney's Lower Northern Beaches and Middle Harbour region for close to twenty years. Our professional experience enables us to arrange residential property with the utmost of care and get the jobs done, the first time, every time.

If you are interested at anytime in obtaining a rental appraisal for an existing property or for another property you may be interested in buying as an investment, we are very happy to provide a rental appraisal for you - regardless of whether it is listed with us or not. 

We have a dedicated Client Services Manager, Carly Collins whose role is to work with our landlords and ensure our team is delivering the best Asset Management service possible. 

When you are considering investing in property, put us to work for you.  Let us help you gain a real understanding of the returns you can expect from your property.  We'll put your very individual requirements in the context of the broader market and help you quickly focus on what you need. 

Should you be interested in a rental appraisal for your property, contact our Property Management Department on 02 9949 7077 to discuss your needs.

According to Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board, (FIRB) by far the largest number of foreign investment proposals involve the purchase of real estate.
 
Australia encourages foreign investments that contribute to the growth of our economy as long as they are also consistent with the needs of our community. Overseas investors will be scrutinised in accordance with this definition and with regards to property there are a various requirements depending on the type of property sought. 

In summary, Australia’s Foreign Investment Policy requires approval for any ‘accommodation’, ‘vacant’ and ‘urban’ real estate acquisition and for any developed non-residential commercial real estate valued between $5 million - $831 million, dependant on certain parameters (explained in detail in FIRB’s General Policy Summary) 

According to the Board, a foreign interest is briefly described as:
1. A person not ordinarily resident in Australia
2. A corporation, business or trust in which a foreigner and any associates have 15% or more ownership or in which several foreigners have 40% or more aggregate of the ownership. 

Focusing on the properties that Cunninghams generally represents, foreign interests are normally given approval to buy:

• developments where construction begins within 12 months, no-one has previously owned or occupied the dwellings, and not more than half the dwellings in a development are sold to foreign interests
• certain developments falling within ‘tourism development’ guidelines.
• existing dwellings used by temporary residents as their principal place of residence while in Australia, which must then be sold once they move on.

For more details on these and all foreign property investments please visit the Foreign Investment Review Board.

*note – this advice is general in nature, based on the FIRB general policy summary, Dec 06. Please make your own enquiries for specific applications.