Advice on New Zealand Property Investment

A: Freehold is when you own the property and the land. With a Leasehold purchase you must pay a rent to the landlord of the land that the property is built on.

New Zealand is a good place to buy property though as there are few property taxes etc and no stamp duty. Ref:

Q: Thinking of buying an Investment property in Invercargill New Zealand.?
We are thinking of buying an Investment Property in Invercargill. With the Real Estate prices that we have seen there and the exchange rates against the N.Z dollar, it seems to us like a good investment. Can any of the locals give us some idea of which areas might be better locations than the others. We have seen several properties online for sale in Appleby, they seem very cheap, is there a reason for this? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

A: I live 100 km from Invercargill. The only thing you need to check is that there are no gang headquarters nearby. Apart from that, In'gill is a clean, quiet place with no serious problems and a stable, inexpensive property market. Appleby is on the south side of town, fairly close to where gangs are located. I suggest you check with the Invercargill police.

Q: A question about property investment in relation to the economy/politics?
I live in New Zealand and here economists and the government are crying like babies because many people own more than one home and rent the other to other people as a form of making money, rather than starting their own business up. What impacts would many people having more than one home have on the economy? I disagree with the government's idea that taxing them would improve the situation, it sounds like them having a hand in the smart person's pocket. My country is pretty high on the OECD for inequalities and I doubt this is addressed by the government who are conservative/right-wing/facists/neo-liberal/republican

A: In theory, if too many people did that there would be more competition in the market for rents and rents would fall and owning real estate would become less profitable as more people entered the market. I agree with you that the government should not get involved.

Q: Why is US dollar weak compared to New Zealand or Austrialian dollar? We need to gain 60% to equal them?
We need to gain 60% to match the same level we were 5 years ago! That is insane!

I understand the EURO domiance over us but New Zealand or Austrailian don't have an economy powerful like ours. How come there currency is so strong? People say US trade deficit is the problem but don't these countries have the same problem has us? I was shocked that two homes near us were bought by Europeans and Austrialians for investments. That is sad that people from overseas can buy our property but we can't. What are your thoughts? thanks!

A: Don't know about NZ but Australia has a lot of commodities (ie. base metals, gold, uranium) that other countries (ie. China) need and we're in the middle of a high commodity price cycle. Here's just one scenario - they're building 100's of new airports in China, which means more steel, which means more nickel, copper, coal etc which Australia has in abundance.

OTOH, the USD is freefalling, with deficit, subprime, housing bubble problems, etc. How are they financing the war in Iraq? Billions being spent, paying soldiers and private contractors. How is Blackwater being paid? Did they go through the appropriate channels or was it an off-book item?All of these things, among others, add up to a weaker USD.

Q: Immigration to New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, USA, South Africa or Europe ? ?
I will be selling some property off and can invest about 750,000 USD as a precurser to immigration for my family of 4

I have a lawyers degree, and no degree in any financial field.

I am a good technical analyst in stocks, and have a good record in the Indian markets. I do know that any bank or fund can see my record and realise for themselves that i can be put on a test case because most probably i will earn money for them.

I would like to immigrate to any of the regions above, in the above order - but i dont know if track record ( but no degrees ) and investment are qualification enough . Which of the above countries are more open to immigrants
i forgot to add, im a Hindu Indian aged 40

A: Your law degree wont be much use - you will have to relearn law from whichever country you eventually immigrate to. I'll bet you end up going back to law school.
Investing in a business (starting your own business) would be a faster way to emigrate BUT you dont have any business experience.
If you do choose to invest, you start a business that will hire locals
And when you say Europe, which country in Europe do you mean?
There are over 20 countries there.

Ypu'll need to google USA, Sweden, South Africa (although I have heard it is very hard to get into south africa) and any others on your own.