Issue #2 | February | 2015 P: 07 3355 6845 F: 07 3855 9189 E: property@madeleinehicks.com.au INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ALLANAH WRIGHT Property Manager CONNECTING WITH OUR REAL ESTATE PARTNERS AND PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR A SECURE FUTURE DON’T LIKE LAND TAX? INVEST IN QUEENSLAND! The rising value of land across Australia is causing more and more headaches for investors, in the form of Land Tax. 2 1 1 4/10 GEARSIDE ST, EVERTON PARK This two bedroom lowset villa is a beauty. Fully fenced, small easy care yard and one car acommodation finish the picture. For those that aren’t up to speed on their tax terminology, Land Tax is the tax you pay annually based on the value of the unimproved land (i.e. excluding whatever’s built on it). But there’s a silver lining in this cloud: Queensland still has the country’s highest threshold for Land Tax exemption, meaning you have a lot more breathing space before becoming eligible to pay. At up to $600,000 for the land value alone, Queensland’s Land Tax exemption cut-off is very investor-friendly, especially when compared to some of our southern cousins. Here’s a list of the tax-free thresholds around the country. 3 2 1 Up to $25k Up to $75k Up to $247k Up to $300k Up to $316k Up to $387k Up to $600k $n/a Tasmania Australian Capital Territory Victoria Western Australia South Australia New South Wales Queensland Northern Territory (no Land Tax) 73/46 MORIART Y PL, BALD HILLS As you can see from the above list, pretty much anyone living in Tasmania is going to have to pay Land Tax unless they can find a plot valued at less than $25,000. If you are looking for a solid investment to add to your portfolio or a first home, then this lovely townhouse is a MUST. You willl appreciate the bright interiors as well as the practical floor plan. Victorians, especially in high-profile suburbs, are going to have trouble avoiding Land Tax too – as are an increasing number of Sydneysiders. FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT MADELEINE: mhicks@madeleinehicks.com.au 0413 733 617 This is why Queensland is an attractive option to our southern brethren, and we’re not complaining! More interest in our properties means a healthier market, which means better property values and wider investment choices. If you’ve been thinking about investing down south, beware of the hidden costs that might befall you. If you want any advice or information on investing in Brisbane, get in touch with the Madeleine Hicks Real Estate team today! PAGE 1 WWW.MADELEINEHICKS.COM.AU Issue #2 | February | 2015 P: 07 3355 6845 F: 07 3855 9189 E: property@madeleinehicks.com.au EVENTS On Sunday 8 March 2015, our team at Madeleine Hicks Real Estate as well as some wonderful members of our community will be joining 10 000 women at South Bank in the RACQ International Women’s Day Fun Run in honour of women with breast cancer. Show your support by making a donation to our fundraising page: http://ow.ly/Jijju All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Thank you for your support! WHAT’D YOU LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT? We’ve been receiving some encouraging feedback about our ongoing newsletters and blogs – thanks so much to everyone who has commented. We love hearing what our clients, colleagues and friends have to say, so if you have a request for a blog topic or would like to make a suggestion, feel free to get in touch with us via our Facebook page or by phone or email. Our customers range from single-home families to multi-property investors, so as much as we try to keep the content broad enough to appeal to everyone, sometimes you guys might want something more specific. So if you do, let us know! Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you in the office soon! Madeleine & the Team YOU GET A SECOND OPINION ON THE LITTLE THINGS, WHY NOT ON YOUR HOME LOAN? Your local Aussie Broker Paul Westcott can offer you: • Free appointments • A quick comparison- we compare hundreds of home loans in minutes • A thorough review of your property goals • Property Investment financial advice The Reserve Bank has just cut the official cash rate by 0.25% - now at its lowest for two generations. Speak with Paul Westcott to discuss your borrowing capacity before committing to any property purchase. Once you know your borrowing capacity you can discuss whether it is best for your loan to be fixed, variable or split. A second opinion from Aussie won’t cost you anything and it could save you thousands. Date: Sunday 29th March, 2015 Time: 10:00am Where: Bisset Place Park, McDowall Contact Paul Westcott on 0412 752 712 or paul.westcott@aussie.com.au for an obligation free appointment today! Free Sausage Sizzle, Face Painting, Egg & Spoon Races, Potato Sack Races & Parachute Games. Find the Golden Egg & WIN a $100 Toyworld Voucher. PAGE 2 WWW.MADELEINEHICKS.COM.AU Market Roundup February 2015 The Big Picture • • • Cash Rate 2.25% Predicted Standard Variable Mortgage Rate 5.7% Predicted Discounted Variable Mortgage Rate 4.85% As expected, the RBA dropped the cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.25% on the 3rd February. They decided to lower the rate in order to “foster sustainable growth and inflation outcomes,” according to RBA governor Glenn Stevens. The media (and the Reserve Bank, apparently) say that consumer sentiment is still weak, including the property sector. However Brisbane doesn’t seem to be suffering from this apparent dip in confidence as badly as our southern neighbours. Figures suggest affordability in Brisbane is the best it’s been since 2003, with mortgage rates sitting at about 17-27% of average income. Borrowing and sales volumes continue to climb, and new developments are still sprouting up throughout the inner suburbs and city. Established suburbs are still the pick of the bunch though, representing far better value and security than the fast-changing inner-city market. It’ll be interesting to see how things shift as we move into Easter and the final financial quarter for 2014-15. “I would recommend Madeleine Hicks Real Estate in an unreserved manner for their fantastic approach to the sale of my father’s estate. I have been involved in the sales of five properties up to date and Madeleine Hicks Real Estate is the best professional business in real estate that I have been involved with.” Ross & Family Stay tuned! Residential SOLD 1 Page St, Everton Park 3 1 1 19 Walpole St, McDowall 3 2 2 $510,000 Private Treaty 12 Seberg St, McDowall 3 3 2 $583,801 Private Treaty 18 Karen St, McDowall 3 2 1 $410,000 Private Treaty 51 Niven St, Stafford Heights 3 1 2 $530,000 Private Treaty 4 Marx St, McDowall 3 2 $495,000 Private Treaty Private Treaty www.madeleinehicks.com.au
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