Talking Apartments

One of the keys to having a sucessful investment property is getting all the little things right. Some of them like landlord insurance don't make for riveting dinner party conversation, but are very important to understand and have in place.

Landlord insurace for apartments is a bit different from houses. For a start it is part of a larger building and has many other residents and owners all around it.

What does it cover? How much does it cost? Am I paying for the tenants insurance? What happens if my tenant wrecks the place and takes off?

Roy Garcia is the Executive relationship manager in Victoria for EBM RentCover has a very solid understanding of this topic and cuts to the chase on all these questions and other things you need to know.

Talking Apartments and its sponsor Wood Property Partners are not endorsing or specifically recommending EBM RentCover and you are encouraged to do your own research to find the insurance cover that is right for you, your circumstances and your property.

• RentCover policies are issued by QBE
• Before deciding to buy insurance, download the Product Disclosure Statement available on the RentCover.com.au
• All advice given in this chat is general advice only

While the spring selling season tends to drive the housing market, the apartment market doesn’t like to miss a good party and this year, it is getting picked up for the ride. Spring has sprung early and values are on the move.

Trent Wiltshire is an economist at Domain focusing on the property market and housing policy. As you will hear he has some good news for both house and apartment owners.

While the amount of property being offered for sale is lower than this time last year, Auction clearance rates have picked up in the last month. And so has the number of people attending inspections which Trent can see from his access to inspection data.

See the latest Domian research here

Trent’s experience of 4 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia and 3 years at the Grattan Institute positions him very well to read the more macro economic signals and overlay it with the latest property data coming out of Domain to form a view on how the apartment market will play out over the next 2 to 3 years and shares it will us here.

While the spring selling season tends to drive the housing market, the apartment market doesn't like to miss a good party and this year, it is getting picked up for the ride. Spring has sprung early and values are on the move.

Trent Wiltshire is an economist at Domain focusing on the property market and housing policy. As you will hear he has some good news for both house and apartment owners.

While the amount of property being offered for sale is lower than this time last year, Auction clearance rates have picked up in the last month. And so has the number of people attending inspections which Trent can see from his access to inspection data.

See the latest Domian research here

Trent's experience of 4 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia and 3 years at the Grattan Institute positions him very well to read the more macro economic signals and overlay it with the latest property data coming out of Domain to form a view on how the apartment market will play out over the next 2 to 3 years and shares it will us here.

For 10 years from the mid 80's Stephen Hodge was one of Australia's leading professional cyclists racing in Europe competing in 6 x Tour de France, 4 x Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) and 2 x Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain). Through the work he and others have done on and off the bike he has helped pave the way for male and female Australian cyclists to win not only the Tour de France but many other prestigious races around the world.

Stephen continues to champion cycling - but this time it's for everyone, (even if you don't ride a bike) and he does this in his role as Director - National Advocacy with We Ride Australia.

That's right... because even if you don't ride a bike, the case for safer cycling that Stephen espouses here means there will be less cars on the road, which means less money needed for new roads, and a happier, healthier community which lightens the load on hospitals due to the health benefits cycling brings, plus many other benefits. And that is good for everyone.

Stephen shares his international observations where commuting by bike is well entrenched and brings hugh benefits.

So why don't more people ride a bike for those small trips for work, school, friends, or just the bread and milk? Tune in and find out...

For 10 years from the mid 80's Stephen Hodge was one of Australia's leading professional cyclists racing in Europe competing in 6 x Tour de France, 4 x Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) and 2 x Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain). Through the work he and others have done on and off the bike he has helped pave the way for male and female Australian cyclists to win not only the Tour de France but many other prestigious races around the world.

Stephen continues to champion cycling - but this time it's for everyone, and he does this in his role as Director - National Advocacy with We Ride Australia. He is working for you even if you don't ride a bike.

That's right... because even if you don't ride a bike, the case for safer cycling that Stephen espouses, means there will be less cars on the road, which means less congestion and money needed for new roads, plus a happier, healthier community which lightens the load on hospitals due to the health benefits cycling brings, plus many other benefits. And that is good for everyone.

Stephen shares his international observations where commuting by bike is well entrenched and brings hugh community benefits to everyone.

So why don't more people ride a bike for those small trips for work, school, friends, or just the bread and milk? Tune in and find out...

With some apartment buildings now exceeding 1000 units and containing multiple uses such as retail, office and food plus many resident services, the role of the Owners Corporation Manager (OCM) (formerly Body Corporate Management) has had to step up dramatically.

Add to this issues such as combustible cladding, greater community integration, high service standard expectations and long term maintenance plans and OCM is a critical component to ensuring the successful longevity of any building management.

I sat down with Sam Atkins, Managing Director of Bluestone OCM who is one of Australia's leading OC Managers to discuss all things OCM. We chat about everything from the hot issue of combustible cladding to what sort of apartment he would buy.

With apartment buildings now exceeding 1000 units and containing multiple uses such as retail, office and food plus many resident services, the role of the Owners Corporation Manager (OCM) (formerly Body Corporate Management) has had to step up dramatically recently.

Add to this issues such as combustible cladding, greater community integration, high service standard expectations and long term maintenance plans and OCM is a critical component to ensuring the successful longevity of any building management.

I sat down with Sam Atkins, Managing Director of Bluestone OCM who is one of Australia's leading OC Managers to discuss all things OCM. We chat about everything from the hot issue of combustible cladding to what sort of apartment he would buy.

I had to book a long way ahead to find a slot with Nerida Conisbee who is the Chief Economist at REA group (or for our purposes - realestate.com) and is a regular commentator on the property market for many TV and radio stations around Australia.

As it turned out the timing of this interview could not have been better. With the  Federal Election swinging the tide of sentiment in the property market and the RBA cutting interest rates, Nerida's views on the market and its direction for the rest of 2019 are very insightful. Through the enormous data capture capability of realestate.com,  Nerida receives regular reports on what property is being searched, suburb by suburb, state by state and she can see almost instantly what the market is doing so her view is both current and well informed.

We cover many topics from interest rate cuts, the impact of flammable cladding, the Federal election result and we go around the grounds in Australia to see what is hot and what's not.

I had to book a long way ahead to find a slot with Nerida which is not surprising really as Nerida Conisbee is the Chief Economist at REA group (or for our purposes - realestate.com) and is a regular commentator on the property market for many TV and radio stations on the residential property market around Australia (as well as some highly regarded property podcasts. haha). As it turned out the timing could not have been better. With the Federal Election swinging the tide of sentiment in the property market and the RBA cutting interest rates, Nerida's her views on the market and its direction for the rest of 2019 are very insightful. Through the enormous data capture capability of realestate.com, Nerida receives regular reports on what property is being searched, suburb by suburb, state by state and she can see almost instantly what the market is doing so her view is both current and well informed.

We cover many topics from interest rate cuts, the impact of flammable cladding, the Federal election result and go around the ground in Australia to see what is hot and what's not.

Regardless of your political persuasion if you are a property investor you would have been pleased to see negative gearing and capital gains tax rules remain unchanged after the recent Federal Election.

With those issues off the table it is back to business as usual when it comes to property tax. One important property investment tax deduction that is occasionally overlooked is depreciation. This is where the notional decline in the value of buildings, plant and equipment can be claimed as a tax deduction. With June 30 fast approaching this is one thing to get onto ASAP if you haven’t already.

Mike Mortlock is the Managing Director of MCG Quality Surveyors and heads a team of highly qualified professions who can advise you on how much you are able to save off you tax bill by getting a depreciation schedule on your investment property.

To find out if you can benefit from a depreciation schedule contact Mike on

Phone : 1300 795 170

Email : [email protected]

As you will hear in my discussion with Mike it is a complex field but one that can save you thousands.