Buying property in Australia while still an expat

11POSTS

8 years ago

This isn't exactly Germany specific but I'm currently living in Berlin so, you know..

Wondering if any Australians on here can give me some tips regarding buying property back home as an expat? Any info about how easy/difficult it is with lenders/ tax wise etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Dear moderators, please don't move this to the 'Australia' forum. It's not a question for people living in Australia. It's a question for Australians living overseas. I'll also be re-posting in other country forums that have a large Australian expat presence to give myself the best chance of receiving some responses and helpful advice.

Cheers,
Beno

See also

Real estate listings in Germany - 13 Ads
Accommodation in Germany - Guide
Associations for expatriates in Germany - Business
Frankfurt property tax - 1 Reply
Buying used car - 3 Replies
Property Tax in Limburg - 2 Replies
Buying a property in the area of Wiesbaden/Mainz - 7 Replies

brettaevans Member

3POSTS

8 years ago

Hi Beno,

unfortunately the appeal of Aussie expats buying property back in Australia is diminishing day by day due to a number of reasons which I have outlined below:

* The banks have made it very difficult to secure loans
* The removal of the 50% CGT discount for non-residents back in 2012
- [link moderated]
* The Australian states now introducing taxes on properties held by non-residents
- [link moderated]
- [link moderated]

The above is not to say that you shouldn't do it, its just that you need to do your numbers to make sure the it makes financial sense.

Cheers,

Brett

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

Hi Brett,

Thanks for info. Not sure what the rules are re links but the ones in your reply were moderated so I'll take your word for it..

I do know about some of those issues which is why I'm curious to hear from anyone who has recently been through it.

Will keep posting on other country forums to see if there's any more info out there.

Thanks.

1 member reacted to this post

SimCityAT Expert

13794POSTS

8 years ago

FYI Beno18

The Mod team do validate the links to new posters. Please check later and I am sure they will show.

SimCityAT
Expert Team

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

Great thanks.

brettaevans Member

3POSTS

8 years ago

My pleasure Beno.

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

8 years ago

This topicis of no interest to the typical expat in Germany.
I thus really recommend it to be moved or closed, especially given the fact that you posted the same on several (unrelated) country forums.

2 members reacted to this post

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

Hi Beppi,

Completely understand this thread is of no interest to you.Asan Australian expat living in Germany it is of interest to me.

I thought the thread topic would be clear enough to attract the attention of only those interested in the topic e.g., other Australian expats.

I’m not sure why you read it.

Thanks.

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

8 years ago

Beno18 wrote:
I’m not sure why you read it.

I read it (as well as your same message on the Singapore forum, where it is even less relevant because you don't even reside in the country!), because I am the Germany (and Singapore) "Expert" of this forum and it is part of my duties to monitor and make sure only relevant and on-topic posts are present.
I believe there are more appropriate venues to have this discussion. For example, a short Google search showed the following website for the Australian disapora:
http://www.australiansabroad.com

2 members reacted to this post

JacobieT New member

5POSTS

8 years ago

#10

Hi Beno,

Are you still looking or information on buying property back in Australia? I joined a few different forum sites a couple of months ago looking for similar information! I'm actually in France but was researching Germany on here for an upcoming trip.

Anyway, I've just completed a purchase and I'd be happy to PM you about my experience and the company I used for the lending etc. Will send now.

Regards,
Jacob

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

#11

Yes I am! That would be awesome, thanks.

JacobieT New member

5POSTS

8 years ago

#12

Having trouble sending the PM. I must confess I haven't really used the site too much - do I need to make you a 'friend or contact' before I can message?

Anyway, I'll figure it out and send you a detailed message! To start with though I would contact [link moderated] to help you out with finding lenders etc. They have a team specialising in helping expats secure loans. They were fantastic to me, incredibly informative, and really responsive given the timezone difference - never seemed like too much trouble for them to hold my hand through it.

Start with them and I'll try and send you a PM about some of the tax issues and realestate agent challenges I came across. It's actually not too bad to be honest.

Regards,
Jacob

Moderated by Bhavna 8 years ago
Reason : indirect advertising. Please recommend in the business directory.
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

#13

No worries mate, I can see your contact request now. The link looks like its under review by the moderators so I'll check back later. Cheers for the help!

Beno18 Member

11POSTS

8 years ago

#14

Looks like the link has been removed by the moderator. Can you tell me the company name, or will that get deleted too. No PM yet.

JacobieT New member

5POSTS

8 years ago

#15

Sorry, Not sure what's going on with the messaging.. Can't seem to get it to work.

As for the company name, I guess they'd just delete that as well... So I'll tell you where I found them - on the Australian High Commission UK website on the Australian Nexus page. The page lists all sorts of businesses recommended by the government as providing a service for Australian citizens living overseas.

Will keep working on the PM, but hopefully with a bit of detective work you can fiind it from the High Commission site.