Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How did we get here?
While on his morning walk, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd falls over, has a heart attack and dies because the accident and emergency dept at his nearest hospital is too understaffed to treat him in time.
So his soul arrives in Heaven and he is met by Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. 'Welcome to Heaven,' says Saint Peter, 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a Socialist around these parts, so we're not sure what to do with you.'
'No problem, just let me in; I'm a good Christian; I'm a believer,' says the PM.
'I'd like to just let you in, but I have orders from God. He says that since the implementation of his new HEAVEN CHOICES policy, you have to spend one day in Hell and one day in Heaven. Then you must choose where you'll live for eternity.'
'But I've already made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven,' replies Rudd 'I'm sorry .. But we have our rules,' Peter interjects. And, with that, St.
Peter escorts him to a lift and he goes down, down, down ...all the way to Hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a lush golf course.
The sun is shining in a cloudless sky. The temperature is a perfect 22C degrees. In the distance is a beautiful club-house. Standing in front of it is Gough Whitlam and thousands of other Socialist luminaries who had helped him out over the years --- Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, etc. The whole of the Labour Party leaders were there ..
Everyone laughing, happy, and casually but expensively dressed.
They run to greet him, to hug him and to reminisce about the good times they had getting rich at the expense of 'suckers and peasants.'
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. The Devil himself comes up to Rudd with a frosty drink, 'Have a tequila and relax, Kev!'
'Uh, I can't drink anymore; I took a pledge,' says Rudd, dejectedly.
'This is Hell, son. You can drink and eat all you want and not worry and it just gets better from there!'
Rudd takes the drink and finds himself liking the Devil, who he thinks is a really very friendly bloke who tells funny jokes like himself and pulls hilarious nasty pranks, kind of like the ones the Labour Party pulled with their master strokes on Education, Immigration, Petrol prices, Tough on Crime promises.
They are having such a great time that, before he realises it, it's time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves as Rudd steps on the lift and heads upward.
When the lift door reopens, he is in Heaven again and Saint Peter is waiting for him. 'Now it's time to visit Heaven,' the old man says, opening the gate.
So for 24 hours Rudd is made to hang out with a bunch of honest, good-natured people who enjoy each other's company, talk about things other than money and treat each other decently. Not a nasty prank or short-arse joke among them. No fancy country clubs here and, while the food tastes great, it's not caviar or lobster. And these people are all poor. He doesn't see anybody he knows and he isn't even treated like someone special!
'Whoa,' he says uncomfortably to himself. 'Gough Whitlam never prepared me for this!'
The day done, Saint Peter returns and says, 'Well, you've spent a day in Hell and a day in Heaven. Now choose where you want to live for Eternity.'
With the 'Deal or No Deal' theme playing softly in the background, Rudd reflects for a minute ... Then answers: 'Well, I would never have thought I'd say this -- I mean, Heaven has been delightful and all -- but I really think I belong in Hell with my friends.'
So Saint Peter escorts him to the lift and he goes down, down, down, all the way to Hell.
The doors of the lift open and he is in the middle of a barren scorched earth covered with garbage and toxic industrial wasteland, looking a bit like the eroded, rabbit and fox affected Australian outback, but worse and more desolate.
He is horrified to see all of his friends, dressed in rags and chained together, picking up the roadside rubbish and putting it into black plastic bags. They are groaning and moaning in pain, faces and hands black with grime.
The Devil comes over to Rudd and puts an arm around his shoulder.' I don't understand,' stammers a shocked Rudd, 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a club-house and we ate lobster and caviar and drank tequila. We lazed around and had a great time.. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and everybody looks miserable!'
The Devil looks at him, smiles slyly and purrs, 'Yesterday we were campaigning; today you voted for us!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
First Home Owners Grant boost to end June 30
Q: Who are Direct Negotiations?
A: The Direct Negotiations team is Adelaide’s leading property buyers agents. We don’t sell property, we buy it on behalf of local, interstate and overseas clients.
Q: What are the principal points of the Direct Negotiations business that make it different from others?
A: We act totally independently on behalf of the purchaser. Our team’s background extends across property acquisitions and consulting, finance, building and construction, commercial property, development and wealth creation. We are in the best position to mitigate risk and assist in making the right choice for investors and home owners to meet their requirements on all types of property.
Q: Is there growth in any particular areas?
A: Many areas, that were traditionally less desirable because of difficult access, surrounding zoning or lack of public transport are now being rearranged. The long list of new infrastructure projects both projected and under construction, have enabled us to identify areas of growth due to the ripple effect, access to modern facilities and changing lifestyles.
Q: What is the best type of property to buy?
A: Choosing the right investment property for your individual circumstances and goals requires a thorough understanding of the key principles and dynamics of investment property. Whether you need to isolate niche areas offering strong future capital growth potential, homes providing effective tax depreciation, strong rental yield, or subdivision/development opportunities for immediate equity, all depends on your short and long term goals and your current position. An individual strategy is devised for each client to match their unique circumstance.
Q: How do you see the South Australian market at present?
A: South Australia offers some of the nation’s most affordable housing and most appreciable assets. Adelaide’s median house price is significantly lower than that of Sydney, less than Perth, Melbourne and Darwin. This means you can own your own home or investment for a lot less – or alternatively, buy more property for the same money. House prices are stable and strong capital growth is on the horizon with our mining and resource deposits, unprecedented skilled immigration levels and massive injection of cash for infrastructure. This potential, makes Adelaide real estate currently and looking towards the future, one of the world's most stable investment vehicles.
Q: Any advice for first home buyers?
A: It is vitally important to be educated and well informed before undertaking to commit to potentially the biggest financial decision of your life. Your first home is your first investment property and it’s crucial you make the right choice in terms of property, location, and paying the right amount. A buyer’s agent is a valuable ally to first home buyers, walking them safely step by step through the entire process. With the increased grant potentially only being offered until 30th June this year however, time is of the essence!
If you are looking for a well performing residential or commercial investment property, an addition to your existing property portfolio or a home to live in, We guarantee to save you money on your next real estate purchase. Go to http://www.directnegotiations.com.au/ or call the team on +61 (0)8 84631997
Friday, April 17, 2009
Houses in Adelaide selling before first open inspection
Many potential property buyers are getting frustrated. Adelaide properties that are advertised for sale are commonly already under contract before the buyer has the opportunity to view. This is frequently the case with properties at and under the $400k AUD price range.
Through our networks and databases, we are alerted to properties before they are available to the public. Direct Negotiations purchased several properties this week before the signboard was put on the property.
Last night I organised a private inspection of a particular property that was later to be presented to the market. The agent asked if I didn't mind if a couple of interested groups came through at the same time. There were, in fact seven groups pushing their way in the door. The property lived up to expectations and every single group walked out the door full of anticipation with a "letter of offer" form. What they did not realize was that I had already prepared a contract, complete and signed on behalf of my (off shore) client, with the right price and conditions (negotiatiated prior to inspection). Vendors agreed and signed. The property was under contract to Direct Negotiations.
This morning there were likely be at least four letters of offer being submitted for a property that was sold before they actually walked through the front door.
If you are looking for a well performing residential or commercial investment property, an addition to your existing property portfolio or a home to live in, We guarantee to save you money on your next real estate purchase. Go to http://www.directnegotiations.com.au/ , or call the team on +61 8 84631997
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Real property in super.
An unfortunate consequence which has occurred as a result of the stock market crash is that many hard working people who require retirement funds, associate the term superannuation with shares, the stock market and huge risks/losses together with commissions and ongoing ‘trails’ to financial planners.
Many of these persons also think that by putting their hard earned cash into superannuation that it has to go into the stock market linked investments and that they immediately lose control and at the same time will be subject to fixed and ongoing fees from financial planners.
Nothing is further from the truth!
A superannuation fund, in most cases is the best ‘investment vehicle’ people can use to accumulate a secure retirement income.
This is why………….
Superannuation funds accomodate better tax breaks than any other ‘investment vehicles’. During the ‘accumulation mode’ the maximum income tax is 15% or 31.5% less than the top tax rate including Medicare.
Capital gains tax for profits on assets held for longer than 12 months in a superannuation fund is 10% and does not attract Medicare surcharges as compared with the top personal taxation rate of 46.5%. Benefits from Salary Sacrificing into superannuation in some cases can reduce personal tax during the accumulation mode in some cases (dependent on individual circumstances) to nil thus saving 46.5% tax.
Superannuation funds with the use of warrants, can now purchase property without the need to have the entire purchase price together with stamp duty at the time of purchase. That is to say they can gear real estate investments.
Prior to the stock market crash, many people had a vast percentage of their wealth invested in stocks and shares via their Superannuation.
The current prevailing attitude towards superannuation-while totally understandable, is foundered by fear and frustration must be put to rest by accountants and superannuation professionals in an effort to protect the workers from incurring even more financial loss and pain.
Legislation is available to enable all tax payers to put away money for their retirement at world competitive taxation rates. The legislators obviously have done their part. Its now up to the investment advisors to ensure that savvy investors have a comfortable retirement by stepping up and doing their part and advising people of their options so that those who want to invest our superannuation into investments other than stocks and shares, such as direct property, have the choice to do so.
Superannuation now offers distinct alternatives.
If you are looking for a well performing residential or commercial investment property, an addition to your existing property portfolio or a home to live in, We guarantee to save you money on your next real estate purchase. Go to http://www.directnegotiations.com.au/ , or call the team on +61 8 84631997
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