I've owned all three, but at the moment I'm sitting out of the share market and the rental market.
You are correct. I was wrong. Only trading is a taxable activity, and if you sit on something for 10 years you would be regarded as an investor.
Surprising how quickly you forget then isn't it? Very surprising i would have thought given your profession.
As demand increases and supply remains static prices will naturaly rise. As prices rise, supply will increase until equilibrium is reached again. We have an under utilised building sector, so adding supply would be particularly easy at the moment if the demand existed ...
Why will demand increase. Unless you anticipate population increases for some reason at the same time perhaps. I'm simply talking about return on investment. Landlords will seek to recover the "loss" from tenants.
I agree about the ease of borrowing. However the "rules" for rental property borrowing have somewhat changed in the current climate. I think less people will be getting 100% equity loans approved at the moment for residential property.
Of course, if you have other equity to offer as security you can still achieve 100% finance on the equity in a single property.
Hence my reference to mum and pop, who frequently have at least some equity in their own home.
I read a book late last year where Brad Sugars talks about one of his most profitable activities - where he buys businesses for nothing down, and takes over the debt (such as the remainder of a lease for a shop). He targets business owners who have had enough of the stress and just want to quit. Then he fixes up the business and sells it 3 to 12 months later.
So what? There is money to be made in any industry, if you have the right stuff etc for that industry. I guess the fact that many don't is a good reason why more don't do this, however I fail to see what good will come of pushing people into an area where they lack expertise, confidence or experience. Business failures are frequent enough already thanks.
America comes out with some pretty cool innovation. There are those with so much money they are prepared to take a punt on a project, stump up a few mil on a wing and a prayer (amazon.com anyone?) Many of these projects fail, a few succeed. Hence we see a lot of progress come out of America. We can't replace these people with mum and pop, they are ill equipped to handle it.
I agree that a lot of what NZ has felt is due to foreign entities. I disagree that our residential property market has softened the blow. A strong export lead recovery which is created by businesses would have put NZ in a far better position.
A strong export led recovery requires markets to sell into. Hello, the markets dried up, there is a global recession you realise.
Ouch. Always with the personal attacks.
FFS harden up - and think before you post. Even your replies are other peoples thoughts regurgitated, come on man, give me an original thought.
Are you taking RRRS in March? I would very much like to meet you in person.

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