Again, these Criteria are ranked in what has (over years) become accepted as being their relative importance, for making a sound property investment.

1. Tenant Calibre & Lease Term

By themselves, these two Criteria could prove to be two most important to you - if you intend to achieve any of your investment objectives.

Ideally, what you'll look for is a strong corporate (or government) tenant - with a minimum of a 5-year lease term. With that in place, you're well on your way to making a successful investment.

2. Recent Construction & Flexible Design

Generally, whenever a property has been recently constructed, it means it will have ongoing appeal to subsequent tenants. And again, this will help to ensure that many of your objectives are met.

And it also means you'll start to enjoy significant Tax Benefits.

Likewise, a Flexible Design means that you are not left with an inefficient floor layout, if your principal tenant were to vacate at end of lease term.

In other words, you'll have an easily adaptable layout - which will allow you to draw from a wide market, when re-letting is required. At that point, you can enjoy further Tax Benefits - from depreciating any of refurbishment works that may be required.

3. Lease Structure & Absence of Competition

Lease Structure relates to things like ... frequency and method of your rent reviews, who pays operating costs, and to what degree a tenant is responsible for total building maintenance ... all of which will impact upon many of your objectives.

Absence of Competition relates to how many similar properties there are, nearby to yours. This determines whether market could become over-saturated - which may affect your return from property, or make it difficult when it comes to re-letting.

4. Good Position & Emerging Trends

All other things being equal ... better Position, better your property will perform. But, as you've seen from earlier criteria, Position alone should not be your sole determinant.

In recent eBulletins, you've already analysed some of investment opportunities emerging through demographic trends. But equally, new trends are emerging in relation to construction, design, energy conservation, security, lift technology, automation and so on.

All of which can dramatically improve performance of any properties you may already own; plus enhance under-performing properties you may be looking to acquire or develop.

WHAT IS CREDIT

Credit, plain and simple, is creation of debt. Many years ago, going into debt was considered taboo. If you got to point where you had to borrow money, you were looked upon in shame. It didn't matter what particular incident was that drove you to this shameless act; end result was always same; you were in debt, and that was no place to be.

Today, it's not uncommon to have a wallet or purse filled with perhaps a dozen, or more, credit cards. As a matter of fact, this great land of opportunity is practically run by credit. It is understandable why credit is needed. Today, borrowing is "in". People, ranging from "yuppies" to retired, proudly flash credit cards such as "Visa", "MasterCard" and "American Express" at checkout counters.

WHY NOT JUST PAY CASH

Back in good old days, everybody wanted to live "American Dream". This was to start your own business, purchase your own home, and then work towards day that you could invite all of your friends over for a "burn mortgage" party, upon your final payment. The intention was admirable, but reality is, very few people were ever able to throw such a bash. In fact, average American can't pay cash for a car, let alone a house, without many months, or in case of a house, years, of saving.

HAVING GOOD CREDIT IS ESSENTIAL