Rural Living South of Sydney

Wilton is a small town in the Wollondilly Shire. It includes the new estate of Bingara Gorge. Wilton real estate is comparatively inexpensive considering its proximity to Sydney and Wollongong. It was under consideration as the site for Sydney’s second airport, but now Badgery’s Creek has finally been decided on. The Sydney Skydiving Centre is a major nearby attraction, as is Cataract Dam. Cataract Dam is one of the oldest and most picturesque dams and is a part of the Sydney Catchment Area. Built from 1902 to 1907, Cataract Dam is rather like a sandstone castle built on top of the dam wall. While it was being built it was the largest engineering project in Australia and the fourth largest in the world. Great for walks and picnics and viewing.

Bargo is another sleepy semi-rural town in the Wollondilly Shire, slightly south of Wilton. It is accessible from the Hume Highway which links Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Historically the thick scrub and high rainfall in the area made traversing it by bullock wagon very difficult. Explorers named the bush the Bargo Brush and it became notorious for harbouring escaped convicts and bushrangers. Real estate Bargo is still well-priced offering acreages or village homes with a quiet rural feel. Traffic is only local, because the freeway bypasses the township.

The Avon and Nepean Dams are close by and are popular for family picnics. Wirrimbirra Sanctuary is an animal reserve established in the 1960’s which has a small cafe, bushland walks on maintained trails and flora and fauna awareness programmes. Swimming is a major attraction particularly in Mermaid Pools and the Potholes which are located on the Wollondilly River.

A Property for all Seasons

The crisp autumn air in country NSW, south of Sydney, offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle and heat of the city. The leaves are beginning to turn their multitude of colours and will soon fall to create a carpet on the earth.

Then the wintry and sometimes gloomy weather with fog rolling in and around between the undulating hills means that log fires are lighted to sit and read by. Out come boots and jackets to go rambling in – through historic streets or glorious countryside.

Just as quickly the greenness of spring growth will make itself known in lush gardens. Spring bulbs, daffodils and jonquils will poke through the earth and grass creating a blanket of colour. And then the summers usually are lush and green.

Picton property offers the best of both worlds because of its proximity to Sydney. Picton Botanical Gardens are picturesque, with many walking tracks and cycling trails. Facilities include wet weather/shade shelters, clean toilet facilities and push button barbecues. The Picton railway viaduct over Stonequarry Creek is an important feature of the town, built of sandstone from 1863-1878. It is the oldest viaduct still in use today, and has five arches, the highest being 30 metres. Picton real estate purchases are a way to be close to the city and yet have access to open spaces, parklands and undulating green hills.

There are mansions with manicured lawns and lakes as well as acres for running cattle or for enjoying the presence of alpacas or horses. There are historic homes and buildings that capture the essence of times past. Also to be discovered are quaint country cottages or modern and comfortable family homes with established gardens.

Thirlmere is a small, semi-rural town in the Wollondilly Shire. The water from Thirlmere Lakes was used to provide water for the steam trains. Real estate Thirlmere offers a way to be a part of this interesting community. It is only about a sixty minute drive from Sydney. Thirlmere Lakes National Park is an important environmental area and consists of a series of lakes which have a sandstone bed. There is a great deal of wildlife including wombats, platypus, mussels and a large variety of water birds. Thirlmere also houses the NSW Rail Transport Museum which has over 125 exhibits and as such is Australia’s largest railway museum. It has many steam and diesel locomotives, and steam train rides are available in winter.

Spectacular views are part of the fabric of the region. Many properties have park-like gardens with plants that love growing in the cooler climate, with a steady rainfall pattern. Sun-drenched conservatories, and studios are a frequent addition to the stunning properties. Log cottages can be found to buy. The choice is there – a bustling town, a sleepy and quiet village or acres for your enjoyment.

Buying an Investment Property

The decision to buy an investment property can be a very wise one, as long as a long term view of the market drives the decision, especially in times of inflated prices and low interest rates – rates will go up eventually.

One of the primary rules before a purchase is made is to ensure the funding has been approved – this is an essential step, even before any negotiations begin.

Successful investment in property is still based on the location of the property. Capital cities such as Melbourne or Sydney offer a conservative approach to investment as these markets usually offer investors the greatest returns on their capital. Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicated that Sydney experienced a 12.2 per cent increase for the year to December 2014, with Brisbane experiencing 5.3 per cent and Melbourne up 4.5 per cent. Further aspects of location are whether the property is near good schools, public transport, shops – so research is necessary to determine whether it is a place where people want to live. If, for instance, the expected rental return is higher than is reflected in the purchase price, perhaps it is not a popular area for people to live in, so re-sale may be difficult.

Ensure you have a reliable property manager with a good reputation to deal with the day-to-day issues that are likely to arise. Seek advice from local professionals, and get recommendations from family and friends about the merits of particular managing agents.

Remember that purchasing an investment property is not like buying your family home. It has to be a business decision ruled by economic factors, not emotional ones.

Seek out a financial adviser for advice on how best to hold the property. For example, should it be held as a portion of a SMSF, or in a family trust of in the name of an individual? You will also need advice on taxation laws. Negative gearing allows a tax deduction to be claimed on the difference between the rental income received, and loan repayments and other property management costs. Capital Gains Tax is charged on investment properties – bought after 1985 – when the property is sold. A claim for the depreciation of certain assets in a rented investment property can also be made.

As well as tax implications, an adviser can help you to understand all the costs involved for an investment property. There are management fees, perhaps strata title costs, property rates, insurance, the cost of repairs, and stamp duty. Understand your cash flow and budget prior to making the final decision as to whether or not to purchase another property as an investment vehicle.