International Business News Blogs - http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/rss/sections/leadership-journal.rss All articles are copyrighted by IBTimes.com 120 30 http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/rss/sections/leadership-journal.rss http://www.ibtimes.com/images/top_logo_ibt2_3.gif http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20091009/smart-homeowners-learn-mortgage-basics-with-david-bach.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/159/20091009/smart-homeowners-learn-mortgage-basics-with-david-bach.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:16:53 EDT http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20091009/property-investing-secrets-hans-jakobi.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/158/20091009/property-investing-secrets-hans-jakobi.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:55:02 EDT August saw the highest increase in new home sales in three years, as first time buyers rush to secure the First Home Buyers Grant before it is reduced at the end of the year. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20091009/new-home-sales-surge.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/157/20091009/new-home-sales-surge.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:00:53 EDT Housing prices could be about to rocket as rising interest rates and rapid population growth create serious housing affordability issues across the country, according to a leading economist with the Reserve Bank of Australia. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20091009/house-prices-to-soar.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/156/20091009/house-prices-to-soar.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:59:13 EDT The early onset of high temperatures in Queensland could catch out motorists who have neglected to maintain their car’s cooling system, warns the state’s peak motoring body.RACQ vehicle technologies manager Steve Spalding said the site of cars at the side of the road with overheating radiators was not as common a sight as it once was but engine overheating could still be a problem in the Queensla... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090923/overheating-can-cause-major-damage-in-modern-cars.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/152/20090923/overheating-can-cause-major-damage-in-modern-cars.htm Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:36:16 EDT By Yanik Silver www.SurefireMarketing.com Every year I've been in business for myself online has been better than the previous one. Recently, I decided to create an "Apprentice" program (Yes, even before Trump) and I was extremely pleased that we had nearly 100% of my Apprentices get an online venture up and running. I've gone back and thought about their projects and how t... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090907/how-to-make-this-year-your-best-year-ever.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/151/20090907/how-to-make-this-year-your-best-year-ever.htm Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:04:10 EDT By Yanik Silver www.SurefireMarketing.comDuring a recent vacation to Italy I've been watching, listening and observing how the Italians persuade, influence and make the sale. It's fascinating and extremely profitable to study. First, as tourists we are influenced by recommendations by someone we perceive as an authority. For starters there's our guide book. All the major guide books ... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090907/italian-persuasion-and-sales-secrets.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/150/20090907/italian-persuasion-and-sales-secrets.htm Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:46:33 EDT If you are interested to receive discounts on selected hotels, you can join Priority Privilege Discount Card http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090610/melbourne-australia-travel-video-guide.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/149/20090610/melbourne-australia-travel-video-guide.htm Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:05:22 EDT If you want to receive flights and hotel offer, you can sign up with Travelzoo newsletters http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/travel-to-sydney-australiaguide.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/146/20090609/travel-to-sydney-australiaguide.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:28:59 EDT Emergency repairs relate to situations where immediate action is required to resolve a problem that could lead to damage to the property, human injury or make the property unliveable. There are a variety of situations that are considered to be an emergency, the specifics of which are usually outlined in the legislation covering each respective states tenancy laws; in Queensland, for exampl... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/how-to-deal-with-emergency-repairs.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/145/20090609/how-to-deal-with-emergency-repairs.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:35:36 EDT Investment criteria - city location If you're set to buy a property in the big smoke, make sure your potential property investment the following criteria: - Inner city properties within 10km of the CBD - the closer the better- Quality transport infrastructure (mainly train stations and arterial road networks, but may also include ferries and/or buses)- Properties with features that are not... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/city-vs-country-property.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/143/20090609/city-vs-country-property.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:34:24 EDT Australia's most exclusive suburbs enjoyed capital growth rates of up to 40% in 2007 but will this strong performance continue? Tim Derham, director of boutique real estate agency Abercromby's Real Estate explains. Anyone thinking about dipping their toe into the premium property market will wish they did so twelve months ago. With a 30-40% jump in prices in 2007, the value of high-end pr... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/top-shelf-investments.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/142/20090609/top-shelf-investments.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:33:44 EDT News of the latest mortgage rate cut is music to the ears of thousands of Australian home owners. But how can you really maximise the opportunity that has just presented itself? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Refinance If you currently have a home loan, find out how your institution is going to react. Some (hopefully all) banks will pass on the full rate reduction to the consumer. If... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-the-latest-rate-cut.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/141/20090609/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-the-latest-rate-cut.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:33:08 EDT If you're considering giving your tenant the boot, make sure you follow the proper procedures to avoid any potential confusion. - Check the notice period in your state that is required to terminate a tenancy, according to the type of agreement that you have with your tenant and on what grounds you are seeking to terminate - Check in what form the notice should be delivered (in some ... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/landlord-checklist-when-endingtenancy-contract.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/140/20090609/landlord-checklist-when-endingtenancy-contract.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:32:28 EDT Switching to a new loan or a new lender can help soften the blow of the recent rate increases. Michael Lee, consumer services, Mates Rates Mortgages shows you how to do it effectively. Step 1 - Make a wish list and prepareTo make your mortgage to work better for you, work out what you want it to do, then find a lender and loan offers the right fit. Sort the list from most important to least... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/step-by-step-guide-to-refinancing.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/139/20090609/step-by-step-guide-to-refinancing.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:31:49 EDT Is your asking price right? Maximising rental yield depends on getting the optimal rent for your particular property, and Pamela Yardney shows how it’s done When it comes to renting out a property at the right price, many landlords can be at a loss as to where to begin. Some believe that their property is the ‘bee’s knees’ and perhaps think it must be worth far more than it is. Some overcomm... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/when-the-rental-price-is-right.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/138/20090609/when-the-rental-price-is-right.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:31:13 EDT A growing concern for investors who buy off the plan can arise through a Division in the GST law, which vendors and developers can exploit to pass GST costs onto buyers. As Michael Quinn explains, uninformed investors can be hit with GST bills they never expected, and which can run into tens of thousands of dollars These days it’s becoming increasingly common for ‘Mum and Dad investors’ to try their hand at the investment property market. The purchase of a property appears to be a safe and solid decision and a great starting point, particularly for first-time investors looking to get a foothold in investing. This is so especially when compared to some other alternatives that are much more volatile and potentially carry a higher risk. Generally speaking, purchasing property is a great investment option and can be extremely fruitful but, like all business ventures, there are a number of little-known facts that you should be aware of when looking to enter into a property purchase agreement. In particular, one such problem – which has been reported as a growing concern that ‘Mum and Dad investors’ need to be aware of – arises from a Division in the GST law relating to the GST-free supply of a going concern and increasing adjustments for purchasers. It seems that the details of this Division are quite well known to and continually exploited by a number of property vendors. However, very little is known about it by prospective purchasers. And this is where the problems begin. The most frequently experienced situation in which investors are involved is usually similar to the following example. A developer constructs a high-rise apartment complex in a popular coastal destination. The individual units are then rented out to members of the public under a lease arrangement. After a time, the developer of the complex sells off the individual units to ‘Mum and Dad investors’. The developer sells the units, telling the buyers that they are in the business of carrying on lease agreements. This allows for the transaction to be made as a GST-free supply, under the ‘supply of a going concern’ provision of the GST Act (the full name is A New Tax System (Goods And Services Tax) Act 1999 (No 55 of 1999). So, what does this information mean in practical terms? Let’s look at the explanation of the terms ‘supply of a going concern’ and ‘GST-free supply’ to get a better understanding. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), ‘supply of a going concern’ occurs when: •A business is sold, and that sale includes all of the things that are necessary for the business to continue operating, and•The business is carried on up until the day of sale The supply of a going concern is GST free if it meets certain requirements, including: •The sale is for a payment or consideration•The purchaser is registered, or required to be registered, for GST, and•The seller and the purchaser have agreed, in writing, that the supply is of a going concern Other terms and phrases that are frequently used in regards to the ‘supply of a going concern’ transaction are ‘input tax’ and ‘input tax credits’. ‘Input tax credits’ are able to be claimed on any GST that is included in the cost of acquiring or importing supplies for use in an enterprise. ‘Input taxed’ means that GST isn’t charged on that particular supply. However, you’re then not allowed to claim input tax credits for anything that is acquired or imported in order to produce the supply. There is certainly no problem with buying an already operational business and all the required extras to continue running that business. Unsuspecting investors are being caught out when the vendor encourages the purchaser to register for GST, explaining that by doing so they won’t have to pay any GST on the initial purchase transaction. However, if the buyer’s acquisition is for the purpose of making input tax supplies, that is, ongoing residential rental, then the buyer has no entitlement to claim input tax credits in connection with expenses incurred in the course of the purchase. Under Division 135 of the GST Act (titled ‘Supplies of going concerns’), the buyer is required to pay the increasing adjustment of 10% of the purchase price as GST in the business activity statement (BAS) lodged for the tax period in which the purchase occurs. The situation is further compounded by the two parties agreeing in writing that the supply is of a going concern. If this isn’t agreed, then the transaction becomes a simple ‘buy and sell’, and the vendor is then liable to pay GST on the sale. Under the Act, the vendor hasn’t done anything legally wrong by advising the purchaser to register for GST, agreeing that the transaction is a ‘supply of a going concern’. In such a situation, the ATO has no choice but to pursue the unsuspecting purchaser for the unpaid GST.Below is an example of the purchase of an existing residential property and the cost difference in the various scenarios. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/avoiding-gst-traps-on-off-the-plan-purchases.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/137/20090609/avoiding-gst-traps-on-off-the-plan-purchases.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:30:29 EDT Commonly regarded as the sensible option for investors, is buy and hold ever not a sound strategy? For many investors, buy and hold is the most appealing investment strategy available. David Stafford, general manager – sales and marketing, Indigo Group, points out that property in Australia tends to double in value every 7–10 years, which means that the average person “should look to pr... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/to-have-and-to-and-to-hold.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/136/20090609/to-have-and-to-and-to-hold.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:29:35 EDT Investment property depreciation provides investors with substantial tax benefits, which can help them improve their cash flow and increase their return on investment. David Kelly from Gleeds Australia explains Depreciation’ is the generic accounting term used to describe how an asset declines in value over time. In property investment terms, it’s a legislative allowance made under the ... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/depreciation-your-guide-to-maximising-your-cash-flow.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/135/20090609/depreciation-your-guide-to-maximising-your-cash-flow.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:28:41 EDT The urge to make big bucks in a red-hot property market is driving many investors to embark on riskier tactics such as buying sight-unseen on the internet. Do the benefits outweigh the risks and how can you play it safe? Buying and selling properties over the internet has become a crucial part of many investors’ strategies, particularly in the current fast-moving market. The web ... http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/20090609/buying-blind-or-sight-unseen-on-the-internet.htm http://au.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/134/20090609/buying-blind-or-sight-unseen-on-the-internet.htm Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:27:56 EDT