7-12yrs UT. Yes i do leverage against properties, valuation is to make sure i don't make unnecessary hits on my credit file. Cost is pretty cheap tho, around this time of the year they usually have specials eg. $150 per property. I probably won't do as much anymore because i'm on auto pilot with the property stuff now.
I enjoy the ease of management and cashflow from shares, but the ability to leverage from growth is low. Hence having a portion of my portfolio in Residential property, to me its not the be all and end all... but it does play a part.
Basically with my resi property holdings at the moment the story is this.
- If it grows by 1.8-3%+ im well ahead - If it go's backwards or doesn't grow i've lost money
Simple.
If i lose money in the long term i have no one to blame but myself (good thing about the game im only answering to myself), i won't beg/moan for other investors to lose money. UT i wouldn't play into the hands of the trolls on internet forums they add no value.
Anyone else reading in a delimar about your investments, get a piece of paper out and do the numbers + pro's/cons and make a judgement from their.