WEBMASTERS – AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM GOOGLE

Today Google released a Statement informing that Google has now made it easier to get relevant mobile content when searching

The article tells us that after April 21 2015 Google will be adding Mobile as part of their page ranking analysis.

An excerpt from the article explains the changes here….

“When it comes to search on mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. As more people use mobile devices to access the internet, our algorithms have to adapt to these usage patterns. In the past, we’ve made updates to ensure a site is configured properly and viewable on modern devices. We’ve made it easier for users to find mobile-friendly web pages and we’ve introduced App Indexing to surface useful content from apps. Today, we’re announcing two important changes to help users discover more mobile-friendly content:

1. MORE MOBILE-FRIENDLY WEBSITES IN SEARCH RESULTS

Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.

To get help with making a mobile-friendly site, check out our guide to mobile-friendly sites. If you’re a webmaster, you can get ready for this change by using the following tools to see how Googlebot views your pages:

• If you want to test a few pages, you can use the Mobile-Friendly Test.
• If you have a site, you can use your Webmaster Tools account to get a full list of mobile usability issues across your site using the Mobile Usability Report.

2. MORE RELEVANT APP CONTENT IN SEARCH RESULTS

Starting today, we will begin to use information from indexed apps as a factor in ranking for signed-in users who have the app installed. As a result, we may now surface content from indexed apps more prominently in search. To find out how to implement App Indexing, which allows us to surface this information in search results, have a look at our step-by-step guide on the developer site.

Source http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/finding-more-mobile-friendly-search.html

Find Out More About Getting Your Business Mobile

THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH REAL ESTATE

THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH REAL ESTATE

Posted on January 18, 2015 by REDDOG Advertising & Marketing Strategies
My Property Coach
Author - Antonio Sawlwin  - Santolo

All things to do with making money carry with them some degree of risk.

The same holds true with real estate investing.

Despite the promise of high rewards you should be aware that plenty of people loose substantial amounts investing in Real Estate, just as people lose money investing in the share market or on the currency markets.

Unfortunately there are occasions when peoples ambitions do not match with the reality of the risks involved and the potential losses can even be just as high as the potential rewards.

For this reason you need to take every possible precaution in order to insure that you minimise your exposure to risk and whenever possible are prepared, financially for a worst case scenario. You need to also be in a position with your thoughts that mentally and for peace of mind you learn understand the risks involved and be in a position to manage the consequences of those risks if the time comes.

It Wont Happen To Me

Unfortunately, most people will have the “it won’t happen to me mentality” and often it is these people who make critical mistakes that can’t be recovered from. Whilst you may be a good money manager and budgeter you cannot control what other people do. What if your tenants are always late paying the rent, what if the areas suffers a natural disaster and property prices plummet. No matter how much you plan these things are generally out of your control.

What Are The Risks Involved

The most obvious risk when it comes to real estate investing is the immediate risk of losing money, your assets and your equity that you’ve built up in other assets.

A mistake for a couple in their 50’s can be a huge blow to their lifestyle, not only know but in their retirement as well.

Depending on on how large your investment was to begin with and how much other debt you carry but the worst thing that can happen during the course of a real estate investment gone wrong is finding yourself in a position of little control with banks and creditors deciding your fate.

While I’m certainly not trying to talk you out of investing in real estate all together it is a good idea to have a realistic view of the risks and the potential rewards.

Obviously the main risk you need to think about are your income and how secure this is, the possibility of tenants not paying rent or damaging the property and what if you cant find a tenant for an extended period?

Then there is the risk of making the wrong investment decisions, unfortunately this is a lot more common than people realise. Picture mum and dad living in the suburbs, over the past 10 -15 years they have been paying off their home and at the same time the property has grown in value providing equity to use for investment purposes.

They discuss investing and decide Real Estate is the safest and most common way to build wealth and therefore look at purchasing an investment property. They buy the paper and begin looking through the masses of real estate listings – this is where the trouble begins, very often people will choose an area close to their own home to invest in, after all they have done very well over the last 10 -15 years and they can also keep an eye on the property.
The problem is the area may have been a good buy 10 years ago but the growth may have already occurred. Remember there needs to be a growth driver ie, new jobs, new transport corridors, urban sprawl etc.

The second problem is that buying a property for investment purposes is a far different criteria than purchasing a home to live in. After all you are investing in an asset to make money, not to admire the gardens. As an example the tax benefits alone can be as much as $20,000 per annum different when comparing an old property with a new property.

The appliances you have can also have a large effect on the outcome ie, ducted air conditioning compared to a split system.

Another risk common to real estate investing is the fact that stuff happens. Market trends tumble, companies go out of business leaving towns and the local real estate market in shambles, accidents happen during the course of the work, natural disasters occur, and buyers change their minds and pull out at the last minute. Each of these things can have devastating consequences and are almost always events that are completely beyond your control as a real estate investor.

If that wasn't enough many investors fail to have a proper inspections conducted and find out when it is really too late that there are serious structural problems and other sorts of things wrong with the property.

These things cost money to repair and cut into profits, occasionally resulting in a loss. The thing is that once you find out something is wrong with the property you are honor bound to either reveal the problem to potential buyers or fix the problems before selling the house.

Do not allow the risks of real estate investing prevent you from taking the plunge.

They are spelled out here to remind you that prudence and caution are wise when investing in real estate not to talk you out of this potentially lucrative field of investing. If you are interested in real estate investing there is no reason on earth you shouldn’t take the time and make the effort to learn more about its potential.

Be A Little More Savvy

A savvy investor will look at property just as any other investment, first and foremost the figures need to stack up, do not ever purchase potential is a good rule of thumb – remember if the the current owner is asking a higher price as the property has potential and you agree to pay a premium on the potential you may be in fact giving away the benefit and return of that potential from day one if and when it eventuates.

Accept the fact you may have to purchase in an area that you do not know or may be purchasing a property that would not suit your requirements as a home. These are all emotional ties and just as you would not question the location of BHP’s smelters if you had shares you can not let your emotions or fear stop you from looking at the best investment option rather than what makes you feel more comfortable, sure you don’t want to be in a state of constant fear either.

Accept The Risk

There’s an old saying in business that if you are Going To Be In The Business- Then Be In The Business, as an example a shop owner who only half fills their store will soon realise that an empty store does not make a conducive buying environment. So saving money by only holding half a shop of stock is in fact a poor decision.
With Real Estate the business has risks, just like any other business, as mentioned previously some of these things may be out of your control.

So what is the answer?

You need to assume that the risks involved are going to happen and not might happen and therefore you need to have contingencies in place. You also need specialist help in setting up your finance structures to minimise your exposure and a professional adviser to work out the what if strategies.

Most people would consult advisors before spending over $300,000 on the sharemarket – property is no different

Exposing the risks of Real Estate investing and understanding how the majority of people make mistakes is not meant to put you off investing, in fact armed with the understanding that you are not an investment expert this will help you make that decision to obtain independent advice prior to investing.

Just like most things we undertake – Failing To Plan is Planning To Fail

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What to Consider before Buying Investment Rental Property

What to Consider before Buying Investment Rental Property

A Rental property can be an excellent way to bring in additional income as well as invest in an asset that is actually tangible; however, investing in real estate does involve more than just purchasing a property and watching the money roll in.

Many people believe that the biggest hurdle they may face is obtaining the loan; however, this may be easier than they actually think. It is other issues which you may face along the way which should be considered before you actually take the step of purchasing an investment property

First, always make sure you take the time to know exactly what you can afford. Many people make the mistake of overlooking this step, assuming that the rent alone will cover the mortgage payments and other associated costs.

If you rely solely on rental income and there is a change in the market conditions , you could find yourself in financial trouble later on.   

In addition, you need to give some thought and consideration to the type of property that will best suit you. You can find rental properties in many different sizes as well as types. 

Each of these different types can pull in different rental rates as well as attract different types of renters. So, giving thought to the property that best suits you is really an important step which should not be overlooked.

For example, if you purchase a property that is near a college or university you are likely going to find that most, if not all, of your tenants are college students. While you may never have a vacancy, you may also find that you have a continual turnover, problems collecting rent and even possible damage to the property itself.

You should always research rental properties just as you would any investment with the large amount of money involved. If you do not have the experience, the expertise or the inclination to do this yourself talk to an expert.

Not only do you need to understand the going rates for similar properties you need to decide why you are investing and what type of property best suits your budget, risk analysis and the objectives you set out to achieve

To research yourself check the areas local newspaper for information on going rental rates as well as the internet. The internet is predominantly dominated with Real Estate Agent or Broker advertisements which may not provide a true indication of the actually going rate. A desperate private landlord will drop their price and advertise this usually well before anAgent or Real Estate Broker would do.

Another major consideration is that you will need cash flow to take into consideration expenses which may come up along the way. Ideally, you should have a reserve fund or cash buffer established to tide you over in the event you experience emergency expenses or your property is vacant for a period of time.

Before you commit to purchasing a property, make sure that you obtain some sound advice. This doesn’t mean an Uncle or a mate who knows a cousin who’s Aunty has 30 properties. It is important you take information from an experienced advisor not emotionally or financially involved in the transaction. Making a mistake and purchasing the wrong property can be catastrophic to your financial well being. Don’t allow the sake of a few hundred dollars or so stop you from obtaining independent advice.

In addition, you should make sure you understand your responsibilities as a landlord. Keep in mind that your obligations are typically regulated by the statute laws or legislation in the area which the property is located.

Some states have very little regulation while other states are highly regulated.

If you fail to follow state regulations you could find yourself in for quite a bit of financial as well as legal trouble. It is always best to educate yourself ahead of time.

Finally, make sure you consider how much insurance you will need to not only property the property in the event of damage or destruction but also to cover all liabilities as well. One liability claim can be enough to cause serious repercussions so this is not an issue where you want to take a short-cut. Remember that it is your responsibility as the landlord to provide liability insurance, not your tenant. If someone should slip and fall on your rental property then it will be you who is responsible, not the renter.

Rental investment property truly can be an excellent investment and long term wealth builder provided that you are prepared and understand what you should expect from the outset.

Do not be afraid to seek help where you need it, especially from associations and from professionals such as attorneys. This is the hallmark that can often set a successful rental property investor apart from one who fails.

For More Information on how an Expert Can Help and Where To Find The Right Type Of Expert Visit Our Blog Here

Tags: broker, get real estate advice here, property and tax, real estate rental, rent my property, rental property, tax savings

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR CAPITAL GROWTH?

We find that nearly all people we meet with that have investment properties are not maximising the benefits of owning an investment property.

If we can provide a simple scenario whereas a couple purchase an investment property and we ask why? generally it will be 1) to create wealth, 2) provide a solution for the next generation 3), to help pay off debt 4) reduce tax being paid

Out of the 4 points above - nothing is more important to your financial prosperity than reducing the amount of tax you are paying and arranging to receive any tax relief via a tax variation authority (TVA).

Regardless of the pro's and cons of a TVA, what you need to understand is that there is no magic silver bullet. It becomes a pretty simple equation. The first thing anyone needs to do to become financially free is pay off any debt outstanding.

To pay off mortgage debt, there is one major factor that will help you achieve this - CASH - FLOW

When investing in property we tend to focus way too much on capital growth. Sure you do not want to buy an asset that reduces in value, however relying on growth is like picking the x lotto numbers - who knows what is going to happen.

If you own that property freehold and it gives you an income that is fixed by term leases, does it really matter what the price of that property is today?

Capital Growth should be seen as the cream of your investment and should not be included in future return projections.

I have spoken to hundreds of people who have sold their investment properties as they were not seeing any growth in the value and it was costing them financially to hold the property.

A simple Tax Variation Authority aligned with a strategic offset mortgage structure would have made all the difference to these people.

Once you get your head around debt, cash flow and freehold ownership you will see rapid improvement in your finances.



Buying an investment that is going to work for you requires a lot of knowledge, skill and time.

Before rushing off and making a mistake that could cost you hundreds of thousands - find someone to help that isn't going to see you as a one off purchase. If you can find someone who is experienced in rapid debt reduction through investing that can assist, coach and mentor you any costs associated will pay for themselves 100 fold.

Where do you find these people?

Well of course I could say ring me...... 

Network and talk to successful people, don't wait until you are ready to invest start looking for that person now.

They may be your accountant, a real estate salesperson, a property manager, a mortgage broker or a financial planner. What you are looking for is someone who looks holistically at your finances, not just an expert in their field.

All the Best & Happy Debt Reducing.

PS - Self EDUCATION isn't a bad place to start

Purchasing this book from Amazon for under $30.00 wouldn't be a bad option either.

http://www.amazon.com/Rental-Property-Taxation-Australian-Investors/dp/0731408489/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=realassesolua-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=FZAFCEXF4GQNGDA2&creativeASIN=0731408489
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Mobile Business Is Booming—Miss it and Miss Out! - POSTED BY INNA KUBOVSKI IN SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

For anyone still dubious about mixing mobile with business, it’s time to get used to the new reality: Mobile is no longer the future. It’s the present. Everywhere you look, the signs point to more and more growth for mobile—and we haven’t even seen the wearable device movement take off yet. The numbers speak for themselves:

• According to The New York Times, the mobile industry is now valued at more than $1.6 trillion. It’s expected to spike to a multi-trillion dollar industry in the next ten years.

• Almost a billion smartphones were shipped in 2013, according to Business Insider.

• On average, we spend one hour each day on our smartphones.

• Perhaps most important of all, mobile devices are the only media devices growing with regards to how much time we spend using them. Time spent on mobiles increased another 8% in 2013, while time spent on desktop, radio, and print all decreased. Amazingly, over a fifth of all Internet traffic is now happening via mobile devices.

And we’re not just using mobiles for fun and games anymore. Mobile devices now account for about 25% of e-commerce traffic and 13% of e-commerce sales. PayPal witnessed $30 billion in mobile transactions in 2013, while Starbucks saw a billion dollars. Apple, meanwhile, earned $10 billion in app revenue last year.

Let’s also remember that the great mobile boom is changing small businesses just as much as big ones—if not more so. A recent survey commissioned by AT&T and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council found that small business owners save some $67.5 billion a year by using mobile apps, tablets, and smartphones in their day-to-day business activities. “Apps offer small businesses a means to increase revenues and visibility, as well as enhance the customer experience,” Marla Tabaka explains in Inc. “Whether you own a restaurant, offer a service, write a blog, run events, or manage a DIY platform, you can grow your business just by adding an app.”

The revenue is expected to just keep coming. In her recent State of the Internet talk, Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers partner Mary Meeker predicted use of mobiles will keep growing. Meeker sees a $30 billion opportunity in U.S. mobile advertising alone, as consumers spend more and more time on the channel.

Those in the marketing industry take note: Mobile app revenue now accounts for 68% of mobile monetization, making it the biggest opportunity for marketers. What’s more, Gartner predicts that global revenue from app stores will further increase 62% this year to $25 billion.

One vertical that will especially benefit from the mobile boom is the travel industry, with PhoCusWright estimating that by 2015 mobile will make up a quarter of U.S. online travel sales and a fifth of bookings in Europe. This is up from 2% of U.S. online bookings in 2011.

With this kind of growth, it’s no wonder that the Mobile World Congress trade show is such a huge event—this February there were a record 72,000 attendees. As the Times puts it, the event has “evolved from a networking event for industry insiders to a convention where companies from all corners gather to introduce new gear, services, and partnerships to gain attention in an increasingly crowded market.”

It comes down to this: Mobile has become a key channel for reaching customers and sparking sales, whether or not those sales actually occur on a phone. If you’re running a business—big or small—and mobile is not a central part of your strategy, you’re missing out. Big time.

Do you agree? How do you see mobile impacting your business? Share your thoughts!

 - POSTED BY INNA KUBOVSKI IN SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS

3 Agents Have Been - Now which one do I Choose?

Which Agent Should I Choose?

Choosing the right real estate agent to sell your house can be an overwhelming prospect. Deciding to sell is a big step in itself, and selecting the right person to take on the challenge with you can be tough. Most consumers will meet with a few different agents before making a decision about which person to entrust the job to, but after the agents have done their ‘pitch’ and headed home, who do you choose?

They All seemed to make sense 

Each contender was probably equally friendly and professional, albeit overly extroverted and a little pushy as sales people tend to be, but no matter how ‘nice’, ultimately you know that they’re trying to sell you something - themselves! - which can make it difficult to trust your gut.

Do you pick the down-to-earth agent with the realistic price and fair, reasoned approach? Should you pick the one with the lowest commission fees, or instead choose the agent who promised to get you your asking price? Maybe you should take a leap of faith with the guy who promised to sell for more, even though he could be too good to be true.

Head or Heart

Whether the agent is pitching their years of experience, promising to get you exactly the price you’re asking for, or ‘buying the listing’ by offering more than they expect to get in the long-run, sometimes you have to ask yourself “can I trust my instincts?” especially when it comes to hiring a master salesperson.

It helps to arm yourself with as much information as possible, and there’s plenty of it out there once you know what you’re looking for, but even if you know everything you need to know about the market, it’s ultimately the agent’s experience and attitude that will play the biggest role in determining the outcome of your sale.

Most Salespeople are hard-working

There are many dedicated, hard-working, ethical and compassionate people working in the industry, that’s for sure, but there is also no doubt that real estate agents have a reputation for insincerity. In an industry motivated largely by commissions it’s easy to understand why. One particularly surprising thing about the commission structure of the industry is that although it feels like something that will work in your favour, in actual fact, that isn't always the case.

According to Steven Levitt and Stephen Lubner, authors of Freakonomics (www.freakonomics.com)  it is actually more profitable for an estate agent to sell your house sooner, for less money, than to hold out for a higher price.

It’s counter intuitive, but the math holds out; if your agent gets a 3% commission on your $300,000 home they will walk away with a $9000 cheque in their hand. 

But 3% of $310,000 is only an additional $300, so if the higher offer takes an additional 14 days to come through, that’s only an extra $21.50 each day for the agent. While holding out would work out to be an almost $10,000 benefit to the seller, the agent is actually better off selling the house for the lower bid rather than investing any more of their time.

Maybe an Independent 3rd Party

That’s just one of the reasons why savvy consumers are seeking out an objective third party who can help them make a clear headed decision about their choices. Getting an independent property appraisal from a property coach who will make no money from the transaction is the best way to guarantee yourself an honest opinion about the state of your property and what to expect over the course of the sale.

A property coach isn’t an agent, and doesn’t sell property or arrange financing, but with years of experience in all types of property transactions they know the best in the business who do, and can offer you invaluable, unbiased, independent advice about every aspect of the selling process.

Taking the time to talk to a property coach could save you a small fortune, not to mention help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing an agent. 

 www.mypropertycoach.com.au

Welcome to mypropertycoach.com.au

Welcome to mypropertycoach.com.au

Part of the BVP Group Australia

mypropertycoach.com.au 

was founded to revolutionise the property industry by helping everyday Australians realise their dreams of wealth through property investment.

What makes us unique is the fact that we provide 100% unbiased professional property advice.

Every client is assured that our primary focus is on their needs and helping them find effective solutions to their property investment questions and concerns.

Visit mypropertycoach.com.au for more details on how mypropertycoach.com.au can teach you how to build Wealth through Property.

Impact of Global Crisis now being felt in Australian Property

Impact of Global Crisis now being felt in Australian Property

Australia has weathered the recent global financial crisis better than most countries. Thanks to a more stringent set of banking laws, it did not experience the same sub-prime issues that other nations did. As a result it had one of the strongest economies in the world after the crisis began. However, the average Australian has seen relatively little benefit from this, due to a quickly rising cost of living. In a relatively short period of time, Australia has become more expensive to live in than almost any other country. Living in Australian cities is now less affordable than even New York, London, or Singapore are. This is having a significant negative impact on many first time home buyers.

The Rising Cost of Living in Australia

Sydney is now the sixth most expensive city to live in out of all the countries in the world. Even though the Australian dollar has nearly doubled in value relative to the US dollar between 2002 and 2011, the purchasing power of the average Australian has not increased at all. The price of imported goods has not been significantly reduced as a result. Over this same period, the Consumer Price Index rose by a whopping 28 percent. The average Australian home owner spends 45 percent of his or her income after taxes just in paying off debts. One in five first time Australian home owners spends more than half of his or her income paying off debt. This is a significantly higher level of debt than that carried by citizens of most other developed countries. The citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, India, and Mexico had an average of 38 percent of their income spent on debt.

 

The Rising Cost of Housing in Australia

In the 1980, an average house cost three times the median family income, which is considered to be an affordable level. Today, the average house costs nine times the median family income, which is not very affordable. Interest rates have been rising as well, making mortgage payments higher and more difficult to meet. Mortgage payments now account for over 27 percent of the total household income. As of 2010, more than 40 percent of all first time home buyers were having some degree of difficulty paying their mortgages. In other words, housing costs are skyrocketing at the same time that it is becoming more difficult for Australians to purchase food, fuel, and all of the other necessities of living. This is counterintuitive, as Australia's abundance of land should mean that housing prices are amongst the lowest in the world. Nor is the government able to do much to ameliorate this situation. There is very little public housing available, the government only provides 1.4 percent of Australia's total housing property, and is loath to build large amounts of additional housing for fear of negatively impacting existing house prices and causing economic instability.

 

The Effect on First Time Home Buyers

This has radically changed the home buying landscape in Australia. In the 1970s, the average age of a first time home buyer was 25. Today, it is 31. Many young people are now finding home ownership to be entirely out of reach, and are having to settle for either renting, or continuing to live with their parents. In a recent survey of members of the youngest generation, Generation Y, one out of three respondents replied that they did not believe that they would ever be able to afford a home of their own when asked. Generation Y may be shaping up to become the first "homeless generation." This kind of radical change in living patterns would have repercussions across almost every facet of Australian life.

 

Home Ownership and Dynastic Wealth

This pessimistic housing outlook may spur some "Mum and Dad investors" into thinking that they should play it safe, and wait to see how the global financial crisis plays out before making a move. This kind of fear can be the wrong reaction, though. Many of the biggest fortunes were made during recessions and even during depressions, and the perennial wisdom that "there is security in land" is as true as ever. Now is the time for Mum and Dad investors to buy a home because no matter what happens with the economy, that home offers significant long term profit of one kind or another. With prices and interest rates going up, it is better to buy a home sooner rather than later. If the economy rebounds after the recession in the same way that it has tended to historically, then this home will have been a good investment financially. Even if the economy does not rebound, then parental investors will still have gained in another important way. They'll have created dynastic wealth, something that will be passed on to their children and their childrens children

 Mum and Dad investors putting their money into buying a home are helping subsequent generations to have a better standard of living, a substantial investment in the family's future. As with many economic downturns in the past, the present situation presents an opportunity for those who look toward the long term when assessing their investment opportunities.

From The Author

Many clients tell us that My Property Coach .com.au made them feel comfortable and put their mind at ease enough to decide to start the path to create dynastic wealth for themselves and future generations.

Knowledge is power and having the experience and expertise of Australia’s leading property  professionals is essential to have your investments and your families future on solid foundations, it is never too early to start, however it will too late one day....

You will be pleasantly surprised how little it costs to engage a Property Coach and start living your life to the fullest. Imagine the security knowing you have things covered and are maximising every opportunity to build wealth all without risking all of your hard earned assets.


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“We listen to what you want, understand your needs, make you feel at ease and help create wealth through smart property investing......”                                     Antonio Sawlwin Santolo