GUEST OBSERVATION In the past, many borrowers would often stay with their home loan lender for the entire loan term. But now that the mortgage industry is even more competitive, it is worth looking for a better deal. There are a number of myths that may have stopped you from refinancing in the past, but…
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One of the biggest hurdles for many prospective first time home buyers and first time investors is affording the initial deposit. While those who already own a home or asset have the ability to either sell or use any equity they have built up, novice investors will be required to stump up a sum of…
If you are thinking of developing property then you will need to have a good understanding of construction finance. As property developers, most of our clients like to highly gear their lending. That means, using as much funding from others to pay the builder rather than use their own cash reserves. However, you may like…
How long could you survive financially if you lost your job, suffered a major illness or encountered some other life set-back? How high could interest rates rise before your loans became a worry? If you saw a great investment opportunity, would you be in a position to raise the finance to buy it? Now is…
RE/MAX WA director Geoff Baldwin has criticised new bank changes to lending criteria for Survey Strata house and land contracts, saying that they will end up driving prices upwards and may kill off many current projects. Explaining that the new changes require developers of survey strata projects to complete a project before funds are paid…
Property and banks are seen as the safest places to put your money, according to the latest Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence. Banks were seen as the wisest place to put new savings, with 34.3% selecting this option, up 6.8% over the quarter. Another 25.7% of respondents were keen to put savings into property.…
Looking closely at the new credit reporting system introduced in March this year leaves many people feeling a little overwhelmed. But the first step to making any step forward, especially with your finances, is to get educated. If you missed part one, check it out here to get up to speed on the changes and what it…
Positively geared property investing has become very popular over the last decade, but what exactly is it and how can you benefit from it? Positive property is an investment vehicle that by definition pays the holding costs of a property and puts profit in the owner’s pocket. That is, it provides a passive income to…
Despite the Reserve Bank of Australia’s concerns about the housing market’s price growth, it appears that not all are changing their predictions of a period of rate stability and macro involvement isn’t on everyone’s radar. Westpac’s chief economist, Bill Evans, has noted in their latest bulletin that they are not altering their rate forecast –…
Any move to scrap negative gearing would affect Australia’s “mum and dad” investors, according to research that shows 70% of those claiming the rebate earn less than $80,000. With calls to scrap the tax never far from public debate, the research shows the property tax break is not just for the wealthy, as often assumed. Negative gearing allows…