Will home prices keep rising over the next year?

Property prices are expected to keep climbing higher through to mid-2025 – though not everywhere, according to a new report. We reveal where prices are tipped to go up, and where prices are expected to fall.

What a crazy financial year it’s been for property prices.

Despite a cost of living crunch and high interest rates, home values Australia-wide have soared 8.3% over the past 12 months, according to CoreLogic.

Will prices keep heading north? Or can we expect the market to cool at some stage?

These are key questions for home buyers who may be weighing up whether now is the right time to buy.

To get some answers, we turned to Domain’s latest forecast report, which sets out expected property price movements over the next 12 months.

The big picture: prices set to keep rising

According to Domain, several factors are set to push Australian home prices higher over the next year.

On one hand, we’re seeing a tight supply of new homes being built, combined with lower than usual numbers of homes listed for sale.

On the other side of the ledger, strong buyer demand is being fuelled by a growth in migration.

As Domain puts it, the “push-pull between affordability and availability” will be the factor that shapes Australia’s property market between now and June 2025.

Price growth is expected to differ between cities

That’s not to say home prices across Australia will move in the same direction and at the same pace.

Let’s take a quick tour around the nation to see what Domain believes lies in store for home buyers (and apologies to Hobart and Darwin residents – neither city was covered in the released report).

Brisbane

Brisbane’s property market has notched up an impressive 16.3% price growth over the past year. And Domain says there’s more growth to come.

With a forecast for 6-8% price growth, Brisbane’s median house price could hit a record high of up to $998,500 by mid-2025. Apartment values are expected to increase by 4-6%.

Sydney

If Domain’s prediction of 6-8% price growth proves accurate, Sydney’s median house price will hit a new record high of up to $1.76 million by this time next year.

Apartment prices (median) are also expected to reach a new record of up to $855,000 based on forecast price growth of 4-6%.

Melbourne

Melbourne’s housing market is expected to remain a little cooler, with growth between 0-2% expected – leaving median house prices between $1.03 million and $1.05 million. Unit prices are expected to do better, potentially rising by up to 4%.

Regional Victoria is the only market where Domain expects house prices to cool, with falls of 0-3% expected by mid-2025.

Adelaide

Adelaide could be on track to become a million-dollar city if Domain’s forecast of 7-8% price growth pans out. It could see Adelaide’s median house price hit a record high of up to $984,000 by June 2025.

Unit prices are anticipated to grow by up to 6%, helping the city’s median apartment price push through the $500,000 barrier.

Perth

There’s no denying Perth has had a bumper year, with a 22% jump in home prices over the past 12 months. And according to Domain there’s plenty of gas left in the tank.

With price growth of 8-10% possible over the year ahead, Perth could notch up a record-high median house price of between $840,000 and $856,000 by this time next year. In the unit market, prices are expected to jump 4-5%.

Canberra

Canberrans can expect mild house price growth, with values forecast to climb by up to 4%.

Unit prices in the nation’s capital are expected to increase by 1-4%.

What to weigh up

Domain’s forecasts are just that – predictions, not facts.

Along with factors that could push prices higher, the property listing site also cautions that a tighter jobs market and stagnating incomes could put downward pressure on prices.

Long story short: the right time to buy is when you feel ready to get into the market.

We can’t say for sure how property prices will move.

But we can provide clear answers on your borrowing power, help you understand if you’re in a position to land home approval, and help you find a home loan that’s right for your needs.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Rate cuts? Pencil them in for 2025

Put the party pies on ice and postpone those rate-cut celebrations for a while yet. The much-touted rate cuts we’ve been waiting for may not arrive until 2025. Here’s why rates could be staying higher for longer, and how to take action yourself.

June saw the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) keep the cash rate on ice – yet again.

Rates haven’t budged since November last year, and with the RBA not due to make another rate call until August, interest rates will remain in a holding pattern for at least two more months.

For home owners struggling to manage their home loan at current interest rates, it begs the question: ‘what happened to all the talk about rate cuts in 2024?’

Here’s what’s happening.

One reason why rates aren’t moving

Just a few months ago, some of our biggest banks were predicting interest rates would start to slide sooner rather than later.

The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, for instance, expected rate cuts as early as September.

That’s now looking increasingly unlikely.

The reason lies with inflation.

The RBA is intent on getting inflation down to 2-3%.

Unfortunately, inflation is not playing along.

It’s currently sitting at 3.6%. So close, but not quite there.

When are rates likely to fall?

The RBA expects it could be “some time yet” before inflation is happily nestled in that 2-3% range – the point at which long-awaited rate cuts may start to kick in.

It’s not much of a date for home owners to work towards, though the big banks have a few time frames of their own.

Westpac and NAB now both see rates heading south from December. And while CommBank recently stated it expected rates to fall in November, there are signs it’s losing hope for a 2024 rate cut.

“Given the challenging underlying inflation backdrop, as well as a labour market that is loosening more gradually than expected, the runway is shortening between now and November,” CBA’s head of Australian economics, Gareth Aird, said.

“The risk to our call is increasingly moving towards a later day for an easing cycle.”

Meanwhile, ANZ doesn’t expect a rate cut before 2025. Ditto Citi economists and a growing number of other experts.

Long story short, even if we do get a December 2024 RBA rate cut, it’s probably fair to say we won’t see those cuts flow through to home loans until early next year.

And a note of caution: the RBA mentioned in its June statement that it is “not ruling anything in or out”.

It’s a grim reminder that a rate cut is not guaranteed before another rate hike.

This is why it’s so important to take action of your own.

How to manage higher rates

Revisiting your household budget, identifying areas where you can cut back, and tucking spare cash into an offset account to save on loan interest are all steps worth considering.

And don’t forget, tax cuts for 13.6 million Australians kick in from 1 July.

That could provide extra cash each pay day to help pay off your home loan.

It’s also a good idea to speak to us for a home loan review.

We can let you know if you still have the loan that’s right for your needs, or if you could save by switching – without having to wait for RBA rate cuts.

Better still, rising national property values may mean you could be in a great position to refinance.

Talk to us today for more tips on managing your home loan repayments and possibly trimming your loan rate. It may mean the party pies can come out sooner!

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Is a tree or sea change on your horizon?

Fresh air, no bumper-to-bumper traffic and more affordable home prices. There’s plenty of appeal in regional living, including a chance to potentially reduce your home loan.

The classic tune ‘Home among the gum trees’ is fast becoming a lifestyle anthem for a growing number of Aussies.

A surging number of city-slickers are heading to the bush or bay, new Commonwealth Bank research shows.

In fact, metro to regional relocations are now 20% higher than pre-Covid.

It goes to show that regional towns and cities have a lot going for them.

So what’s the appeal?

Along with a laidback lifestyle and the chance to see Skippy on your way to work, rather than countless sets of traffic lights, a key drawcard of regional living is more affordable housing.

Where are people moving?

The Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland is currently the nation’s most popular destination for Australian movers, securing a 16% share of net internal migration over the past 12 months.

Other popular areas outside our nation’s capital cities include the Gold Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Moorabool, Geelong, the Alexandrina region, the Fraser Coast and Launceston.

Western Australia is also becoming an increasingly attractive destination with Busselton, Capel, Greater Geraldton, Northam and Albany all making their way onto various hotspot lists this quarter.

Regional home values vs city prices

Across Australia’s capital cities, the median home value is about $864,780, according to CoreLogic.

By comparison, the median value across regional markets is $626,888.

That’s a whopping $237,892 difference.

The price gap can be far bigger depending on where you’re moving from and moving to.

In Sydney, for instance, the median house value is $1,441,957. Head to regional NSW, and you could pay closer to $760,000 for a house – a saving of around $680,000!

Regional living can help cut loan repayments

Buying a more affordable home can have other flow-on benefits, such as a lower stamp duty bill.

It can also have a huge impact on home loan repayments.

For example, let’s use the above figures and pretend you’re deciding between purchasing an $864,780 capital city home and a $626,888 regional area home.

To keep things simple, let’s say you’ve saved up $173,000 for a 20% deposit on the $864,780 home – and you’ve also got extra money set aside to cover any stamp duty expenses or other fees (the exact amount would vary state to state).

Let’s also assume a home loan rate of 6.4%, which the Reserve Bank of Australia says is about the current average principal and interest variable rate, and a 30-year loan term.

On this basis, the initial mortgage for the city home would be about $692,000 and the monthly mortgage repayments on the city home would come to around $4,329 each each month.

For the regional property, your initial mortgage would be about $454,000 (assuming you put the full $173,000 towards the deposit) with monthly repayments in the order of $2,840.

That’s a monthly saving of $1,489 by moving to a regional area – extra money to spend on your home, yourself or your lifestyle.

What about capital growth?

No one can say with certainty how property values will perform in the future.

What we can do however is look at how house prices have performed across regional areas in recent years.

CoreLogic says values in regional areas have jumped 51.1% ($212,000) nationally since March 2020, compared to an average of 31.5% ($207,000) across our state capitals.

So in terms of dollar values, the capital gains across both markets have been fairly similar in recent years.

Ready for your home among the gum trees?

Okay, regional living isn’t for everyone.

Even for committed fans, moving from a capital city to a regional area calls for careful planning and research.

But if you’re hankering for a home with a more manageable mortgage, give us a call today to discuss loan options that could help you get that tree or sea change happening sooner.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Why three-in-four Aussies turn to a broker for home loan help

You might have seen a headline or two about a particular big bank being at war with brokers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our mission is – and always will be – putting you first. That’s why three in every four borrowers now come to us for help.

Borrowers are more spoilt for choice than ever before when it comes to home loans.

But who has time to sort through over 100 lenders in the market to pick out a loan that’s suited to your needs?

Your mortgage broker does.

But for the big end of town, increased competition can mean lower profit margins (and unhappy shareholders!).

That doesn’t mean brokers are at war with any particular bank though, as a few articles stated in the Australian Financial Review over recent weeks (here’s a great non-paywalled response).

As Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) CEO Anja Pannek succinctly put it: “Positioning banks as competing with brokers is like saying Hilton hotels is competing with travel agents, instead of Hyatt and Sofitel. It completely misrepresents how the mortgage broking industry works”.

What brokers do is streamline the home loan process. It’s just one of the reasons why mortgage brokers are the go-to choice for 74.1% of home buyers (and that figure has been steadily increasing!).

But our role isn’t just about helping you find a competitively-priced home loan with the features you may need.

We go much further.

Here are three other ways you can benefit from the support of a mortgage broker.

We work in your best interest

Behind the friendly face of your mortgage broker is a serious legal obligation.

We are bound by a Best Interests Duty.

It means we are required by law to always put your best interests first, providing home loan options that are based on your unique needs.

That matters because if a loan isn’t the right choice for you, it may not save you money in the long run, no matter how low the rate is.

Banks are not bound by the best interests duty.

Brokers can help guide the way

Buying a home is possibly the biggest purchase you’ll ever make.

It’s also something you’ll probably only do a handful of times over your life. But this is something we help people through every day.

We can act as a trusted guide to help you navigate the complex process of buying a home with confidence.

We can also help you assess your borrowing capacity, so you can buy with confidence, and we can explain where you can consider making shifts in your budget to become home loan-ready sooner.

And because we’re focused on making things more straightforward for you, we take the jargon out of home buying – we can help you get your head around complex issues like lenders’ mortgage insurance, or how to prepare if you’re buying at auction.

It’s all about mentoring our customers at every stage of their property journey.

We’re here for the long term

You and your home loan are likely to be together for a while. And we’ll be right there with you.

Our regular home loan reviews provide reassurance that your loan continues to be the right option for you, even as your life changes and evolves.

And when you’re ready to kick new goals – from renovating, to buying your next home, investing in a rental property, or simply refinancing – we’ll be ready to help guide you through the process.

Like to know more about how we can help? Call us today and discover why three out of every four Australian families come to a broker first.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

First home buyers turn to Bank of Nan and Pop

Nan and Pop have always been good for birthday money, but one-in-10 grandparents are taking their generosity to the next level: helping their grandkids buy a first home.

Most of us have special memories of pocketing a few treats from Granny and Gramps.

But it turns out those small gestures of affection we knew as kids are morphing into something far more valuable than a few sneaky lollies before dinner or a surprise Lego set.

Research by Compare the Market shows almost three-quarters of Aussie grandparents are giving their families a financial helping hand.

Around 13% are lending money, 9% are chipping in with household bills, and one-in-10 are helping their grandkids buy a first home.

It goes to show that we’re never too old for grandparents’ treats.

But if your Gramps and Granny are keen to help you get started in the property market, it’s important to have some open conversations first.

How grandparents can help

It’s not unusual for first home buyers to need support from family – especially in this day and age – and it can come in a variety of ways.

One option is for a close relative to act as a guarantor for a first home buyer’s loan.

It’s a big ask for grandparents though.

If the borrower can’t keep up the loan repayments, a lender can ask the guarantor to pay off the debt – something that could leave Nan and Pop financially skewered.

If they can afford it, another way for grandparents to help their grandkids buy a home is by gifting money.

What to be aware of

A cash gift doesn’t have to be huge to make a difference.

It can help grow a deposit or go towards upfront buying costs such as lenders’ mortgage insurance.

However, there are traps to be aware of.

You could get a ‘please explain’ from a lender when they see a lump sum of cash land in your bank account.

The bank may want to be sure it’s not a loan that grandma and grandpa expect to be repaid.

So, it can be a good idea for grandparents to write a letter spelling out that they are gifting the money unconditionally with no strings attached.

And while this should go without saying, it would be negligent of us not to stress the importance of nan and/or pop being completely sound of mind when gifting any money.

The last thing you’d want to do is leave them short in funding their retirement, or start a rift (or legal battle) with other family members who love and care for them as much as you.

Talk to us to find out how family can help

Buying a first home is a special milestone, and it’s extra special when family members rally around to lend a hand.

But as we’ve outlined today, it’s not without its potential pitfalls.

So call us today to find out the different ways your family might be able to help you buy a place of your own.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

What you should know before buying ‘subject to finance’

Not sure if you’ll get the thumbs up for a home loan? But you really, really like that house that just popped up? Making an offer ‘subject to finance’ could be the right move. Here’s how it works.

Picture this. You’ve seen a home you’re crazy about, and you don’t want to miss out to another buyer. So, you sign on the dotted line and hand over your deposit.

Things are getting real now. But what if they’re not? What if you struggle to land a home loan?

It’s a scenario every home buyer dreads.

If you have to back out of the contract because you can’t get loan approval, you could lose your deposit.

One possible solution, however, is to make your offer ‘subject to finance’.

Why make an offer subject to finance?

In practical terms, making an offer subject to finance means an extra clause is added to the sale contract.

Essentially, it can allow the buyer to walk away from a sale with their deposit intact if mortgage finance can’t be arranged within a set timeframe.

Understandably, the seller won’t wait around forever. So, the time allowed to secure loan approval can be tight, often a matter of days.

However, a subject to finance clause could help you avoid a last minute race for finance – a pressure-cooker situation that could see you accept a loan or lender that’s not right for your needs.

The downside of buying subject to finance

There is a catch to making an offer subject to finance: the seller doesn’t have to agree to it.

In today’s property market, homes are selling fast – in as little as 10 days in some neighbourhoods.

With that sort of buyer demand, there may not be much incentive for a seller to agree to an offer that’s subject to finance.

Or, if you’re buying at auction, the sale is usually unconditional. Chances are you won’t have an opportunity to alter the sale contract.

These drawbacks highlight the value of speaking to us before you go home hunting.

Having your loan pre-approved, for example, can take away a lot of the uncertainty around securing finance.

Can I buy before I sell?

When you’re ready to climb the property ladder, another key question is often whether it’s better to sell first and buy later.

With money in the bag from the sale of your old home, you may be less concerned about making an offer subject to finance.

That said, if you see a place you want to buy before your home sells, a bridging loan could cover the funding gap.

The beauty of a bridging loan is that this type of finance usually requires interest-only payments, not principal and interest payments.

The downside is that the interest rate tends to be higher than for a traditional home loan.

Talk to us today

There’s a lot to plan for when you’re buying your next home.

Call us to streamline your purchase. From subject to finance offers to bridging loans, upgrading can be a lot less stressful when you know the options.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Not feeling the budget love? 4 ways you could still get ahead

If the latest federal government budget is leaving you hungry for perks and savings, you’re not alone. We’ve had a brainstorm and here are four ways you could start working towards your property goals now.

The 2024 federal budget is out, and you might be wondering what’s in it for you.

Sure, an energy rebate of $300 annually can help take the sting out of electricity bills, though at $75 per quarterly bill, it’s not a huge saving.

But you don’t need to rely on the federal budget.

Here are four strategies that could get your wealth growing.

1. Helping hands for first home buyers? There’s plenty available

Disappointed that the federal budget didn’t offer more support for first home buyers?

There is still a wide choice of home buying assistance schemes to pick from.

Take a look at:

– The Home Guarantee Scheme that lets eligible first home buyers, regional Australians, and single parents buy a place of their own with a low deposit (between 5% and 2%) and zero lenders mortgage insurance.

– The First Home Owner Grant, which is usually worth $10,000 but can be up to $30,000 (depending on your state) when you buy or build a new home.

Don’t forget stamp duty concessions (in most states) and the First Home Super Saver Scheme that can let first home buyers use their super to grow a deposit.

Not sure what you’re eligible for?

Talk to us to find out which first home buyer schemes you can tap into.

2. Rate relief for home owners? Make it happen sooner

Why wait for the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut rates?

You may be able to pocket rate savings of your own.

Lots of savvy home owners are jumping ship, with around $16.02 billion worth of home loans refinanced in March 2024.

It goes to show that savings can still be up for grabs for borrowers who switch to a lower rate home loan.

Call us today to find out how your loan shapes up, and discover how much you could save by switching.

3. Property investors: harness your property’s equity

Lending to property investors has jumped 31% in the past year.

It’s being driven by an 11% rise in property values since January 2023 – a jump that’s seen home owners notch up thousands of extra dollars in home equity.

The good news is that this home equity could potentially be used in place of a cash deposit to invest in an investment property.

Talk to us today about unlocking your home equity and becoming a property investor.

4. Tax relief: Stage 3 tax cuts are on the way

The federal budget has confirmed that 13.6 million Australians will pocket tax savings from 1 July.

And there’s a good chance you’re among them.

The Stage 3 tax cuts are expected to deliver an average tax saving of $1,888 a year, or about $36 weekly.

On the face of it, that’s not a game changer when it comes to your weekly budget, but it can help you in more ways than one.

That’s because it can also boost your borrowing power if you’re buying a first home, upgrading to your next home, or planning to invest.

RateCity has crunched the numbers, finding that for a single person on an income of $100,000, the Stage 3 tax cuts could add an extra $21,000 to their borrowing power.

A couple with a combined annual income of $150,000 could see their borrowing capacity jump by almost $30,000.

Call us to know more

If the federal budget has left you hankering for more, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.

Whether you’re a first home buyer, home owner looking to save on your home loan, or property investor looking to grow your wealth, call us today for insights into how you can take the next step in your property journey.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Low deposit scheme helps over 150,000 families buy sooner

Whether you’re rat running your local streets, or have a knack for always picking the fast-moving supermarket queue – everyone loves a good time-saving hack. Well, today we’ll let you in on a scheme that could get you into your first home years – yep years – sooner!

When you’re saving for a first home, growing a 20% deposit can be a tough challenge.

It’s certainly not made any easier by national property values soaring higher each month and cost of living challenges.

But there is one potential solution that has seen 156,000 first home buyers, single parents and regional Australians buy or build a home of their own over the past four years – it’s the federal government’s Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS).

How to buy with just a 5% deposit

The HGS helps eligible first home buyers and single parents buy a home sooner by requiring only a small deposit.

The scheme has three different parts.

First home buyers can take advantage of the First Home Guarantee, or the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee if they live outside a major city, while the Family Home Guarantee is pitched at single parents buying a home.

The common thread is that the scheme lets eligible buyers get started on the property ladder with a smaller deposit – and no need to pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).

First home buyers may need as little as a 5% deposit, while solo parents can buy with just a 2% deposit.

The HGS doesn’t provide a cash payment or a deposit for a home loan.

Instead, the Federal Government guarantees the loan, which is the key to buying with a small deposit while avoiding LMI.

A head start on the property ladder

The big plus of the HGS is that it gives buyers a head start in the property market.

According to Domain’s latest First Home Buyer Report, it can take over six years to save a 20% deposit on an entry level home, depending on where you buy.

The catch is that by the time you’ve saved that sort of deposit, home prices may have soared higher, pushing the goal posts further out of reach.

However, the beauty of the HGS is that it lets first home buyers jump into the property market about four years earlier (on average) than they normally would.

Not all lenders are part of the HGS

The HGS does have eligibility requirements, including income thresholds and property price caps that differ by state.

Give us a call, and we can explain whether or not you’re eligible.

The other thing to be aware of is that not all banks have signed up to the HGS.

That’s why it’s so important to speak to us at an early stage.

We can save you plenty of time, by explaining which lenders offer low deposit/no LMI home loans under the HGS, and put forward to you loans and lenders that suit your needs.

Don’t delay, places are limited

The HGS is only available to a limited number of home buyers each financial year.

And not surprisingly, places tend to fill fast.

So if you’d like to find out more about using the scheme in the rapidly approaching new financial year – and whether you might be eligible to buy with just a 5% deposit and zero LMI – get in touch today.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Here’s why your borrowing power might soon get a lift

Who doesn’t love a tax cut? Most of us are now only weeks away from saving on our tax bills, with Stage 3 tax cuts to kick in from 1 July. But another key advantage is that the tax cuts could give your borrowing power a nice boost.

The upcoming Stage 3 tax cuts have received plenty of attention – some good, some bad – so we won’t focus on the politics of it today.

But they are still expected to benefit about 13.6 million Australians, and how much tax you might save depends on your income.

A person on the national average wage of around $73,000 will pocket a yearly tax saving of $1,504, says the federal government.

If your income is, say, $100,000, you could expect to save $2,179 in tax each year.

For households juggling a cost-of-living crunch, the tax cuts can’t come soon enough.

But if you’re in the market for a new home, the tax cuts may offer an unexpected sweetener: a handy boost to your borrowing power.

What is ‘borrowing power’?

Your borrowing power, or borrowing capacity, refers to the amount a lender is willing to lend to you.

It’s based on several factors including the size of your deposit, your household expenses, and your after-tax income (or take-home pay).

The higher your after-tax income, the more you may be able to borrow.

That could mean being able to buy a home sooner, or buying a more expensive property.

How the tax cuts might affect your borrowing power

RateCity has crunched the numbers, finding that for a single person on an income of $100,000, the Stage 3 tax cuts could add an extra $21,000 to their borrowing power.

A couple with a combined annual income of $150,000 could see their borrowing capacity jump by almost $30,000.

It makes the upcoming tax cuts great news if you’re in the market for a first home, or if you’re upgrading to your next place.

Even if you don’t plan to borrow more, the increase to your take-home pay may make your current home loan repayments more manageable.

Other ways to boost your borrowing power

You may not need to wait for the Stage 3 tax cuts.

It is possible to increase your borrowing capacity in other ways, including:

1. Trim spending

Cutting back on non-essential expenses could free up extra cash to grow your deposit.

As household expenses are a factor many lenders look at when determining loan eligibility, trimming back regular costs could add to your borrowing power.

2. Cut back your credit card limit

When you apply for a home loan, lenders will look at the maximum limit on your credit card – not the outstanding balance.

That’s because you could max out the card just after buying a home, leaving less cash to manage mortgage repayments.

Contacting your card issuer to request a lower credit limit – or cancelling it altogether once paid off – could raise your borrowing power.

3. Increase income

Sure, it’s easier said than done.

But if you can take on extra shifts for a few months, convince the boss you deserve a pay rise, or start a side hustle, your bank balance – and borrowing power – could both benefit.

Find out how much you could borrow

Yes, there are online calculators that roughly estimate your borrowing power.

The catch is that these don’t take into account the different criteria applied by each lender. And they don’t know you, your expenses and your goals.

That’s why it’s important to talk to us to get a more accurate picture of your borrowing power.

We can get to know you, your expenses, and the kind of property you have your eyes set on, and then help you come up with a plan to try and make it happen.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

How to know if you’re paying a fair price

We all love the idea of nabbing a bargain property, but for most home buyers the real issue is whether they’re overvaluing a place – and paying too much in the process.

Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but it’s perfectly natural to have a big dose of nerves given that you’re likely committing to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars (or millions!).

But with a bit of research, and some other handy tips below, you can help protect yourself when the bidding or negotiations begin.

Why it’s important to pay a fair price

Paying above the odds for a home can have serious financial impacts.

The more you pay, the more you may need to borrow to fund the purchase. That can mean paying higher loan repayments, potentially leaving your budget thinly stretched, especially if interest rates rise again.

Worst case scenario, you could get caught out by a bank valuation that comes in lower than the purchase price – leaving you facing a funding shortfall.

The question is, how do you know if the asking price for a home is in line with the market, or if it’s completely over the top?

Research helps you nail the market

One way to hone in on what a home is worth is to have a pre-purchase valuation.

This involves a professional valuer examining the property and arriving at a value based on factors such as the location and size/condition of the home.

The catch is that a valuation can cost between $200 to $600.

It also takes time to organise, and in a fast-moving market the delay could see you miss out on a property.

A cheaper option is to do plenty of your own research.

Websites like realestate.com.au or domain.com.au can show the median house and apartment values for individual suburbs.

This gives you a good starting point, though as each home is different you’ll need to drill down further.

Factors that can impact market value

Some factors can see broadly similar properties have very different market values. Things to watch for include:

– The lot size a house sits on.
– The number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
– The condition of a home.
– Availability of parking (off-street parking is a plus!)
– Orientation. North-facing homes receive more natural daylight, and so often require less artificial lighting or heating.
– Energy efficiency. PropTrack found three out of five (59%) buyers say eco-features such as solar panels are important to help save on power bills.
– The street. Be wary of streets that become a commuter parking lot on weekdays.
– Views and outlook.
– Zoning and planned developments.

Bearing all these features in mind, check out recently sold properties similar to the one you’re planning to buy.

Pay particular attention to the final sale price – not the asking price. It is the selling price that sets the market.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate

If you have done your homework, you should have a reasonable idea if the asking price of a place is close to the mark or wishful thinking.

Remember, you may also have scope to pay less by negotiating on price. Bear in mind though that the longer negotiations take, the greater the danger of someone else jumping in and snatching the property from under you.

Get in touch with us about pre-approval

Last but not least, give us a call to discuss some of the benefits of home loan pre-approval.

It can help you act quickly when you see a home you’re interested in buying, and it sets a buying limit so you can negotiate with confidence.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Can you remember your home loan interest rate?

Where you put your car keys, who won the footy premiership three years back, the new prime minister of New Zealand’s name – all very much socially acceptable things to forget. Your home loan rate shouldn’t be on that list.

It’s a fair bet that your home loan repayments are one of your biggest household expenses.

Yet it’s surprising how many borrowers haven’t kept up with what their home loan rate currently is.

In fact, a new report by Mozo shows that 42% of mortgage holders have no idea what interest rate they’re paying on their home loan.

And it’s an oversight that can cost home owners dearly.

How does your loan rate shape up?

It’s not just that large numbers of borrowers can’t pinpoint their loan rate.

Mozo also found one-in-five home owners have never compared rates since taking out their loan.

Your home loan may have had a competitive rate back in the day, but in a rapidly changing mortgage market, that may no longer be the case. And with the cash rate at its highest since late 2011, there’s little room for complacency.

For a quick check of how your home loan rate stacks up, head to your latest loan statement to find out what it is. It should show the rate you’re paying. Or call us, and we’ll let you know.

By way of comparison, the average home loan interest rate for owner-occupiers is currently 6.4%, and 6.3% for new home loans, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Why it pays to regularly review your home loan

Staying on top of your loan isn’t just about the rate you pay.

Your loan might have been the right choice for you a few years ago. But our lives evolve, and your mortgage may not have the features you need for your current lifestyle and budget.

That’s why it’s worth taking a close look at your loan at least annually, or whenever you experience a major life change such as starting a family.

Understanding how your loan is performing for both rate and features is easy. Speak to us about a home loan review.

As part of our review, we can let you know:

– the rate you are paying;
– if your loan offers the features you want; and
– whether you could save by refinancing.

Is refinancing right for you?

If you’ve been wondering if you could do better on your home loan, give us a call today to discuss your refinancing options.

We’ll help you work out if refinancing is the right step for you and how much you could save by switching to a new loan and/or lender.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Plot twist: Millennials are Australia’s most active property investors

When it comes to buying investment properties, younger Australians are punching above their weight, with Millennials taking the title as the nation’s most active generation for property investment.

Investors are continuing to flock to the property market, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics saying the volume of new investor loans in February was 21.5% higher compared to a year ago.

Investment loans now make up over half of the growth in new loans over the past year.

But in an unexpected twist, it isn’t older generations of Aussies who are leading the charge to buy rental properties.

Younger investors flex their muscles

New data from the Commonwealth Bank shows Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) accounted for almost half (46%) of the bank’s new property investors in 2023.

And almost one in three of those buyers purchased an investment property on their own, without the help of a partner.

Gen Xers (1965 – 1980) are also snapping up rental properties, accounting for 37% of CommBank’s new investment property loans throughout 2023.

Rentvesting – get into the market sooner

Rentvesting is buying property where you can afford, possibly a smaller property in a lower-cost area, and then renting where you want to live.

The CommBank data shows plenty of investors are taking this approach and it makes sense: the average investment loan size is just over $528,000 compared to $624,000 for owner occupiers.

And remember, if you purchase the right property, as an investor you could expect to earn rental income. That’s extra cash for loan repayments.

In this way, rentvesting could be an opportunity to get started on the property ladder sooner rather than later, without having to make too many lifestyle sacrifices. As the investment property grows in value over time, it can become the stepping stone to buy an owner-occupied home.

The market seems attractive for investors right now

The property market offers plenty of appeal to investors right now.

Rental vacancy rates are at a record low of just 0.7% nationally. Property listings have increased in most cities, giving buyers more choice, and the past 12 months have seen rents skyrocket 11.4% across our state capitals.

Add in growing expectations that interest rates will start to fall later this year, and CoreLogic says it’s likely that property values will continue to rise, giving those who buy today the potential to notch up handy capital gains.

Are you ready to become a property investor?

Talk to us today to find out how much you could borrow, and your likely loan repayments. It could help you become a property investor sooner!

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Homeowners now an extra $71,000 richer (on average!)

You may not feel richer, but if you’re a homeowner, there’s a decent chance your personal wealth has surged over the past 12 months thanks to soaring property values. And it could open up a world of exciting possibilities.

Sometimes you’ve just got to shake your head in disbelief at the resilience of the property market.

Despite a cost of living crunch and higher interest rates, national home prices have somehow ploughed on over the last year and a bit.

CoreLogic says home values nationally are up $71,832 since January 2023 – a jump of 10.2% in just 14 months – which averages out to an increase of $5,130 per month.

To put that into perspective, last financial year the average full-time Australian worker earned $6,565 per month after tax.

The thing is, higher values can give homeowners much more than a warm inner glow.

Rising property prices can also provide opportunities to boost your wealth further – without having to hammer in a For Sale sign out the front.

Let’s take a closer look.

Your home equity can unlock further wealth

An uptick in your home’s value can drive an increase in home equity – assuming your mortgage hasn’t increased.

Home equity is the difference between the market value of your home and the balance of your home loan.

So if your home is valued at $1,000,000, for example, and you have $500,000 left on your home loan, your home equity is $500,000.

The exciting thing about home equity is that it’s not just a number on a page. It can be a valuable resource that helps you forge ahead financially.

Three ways to make home equity work harder

Plenty of banks let you use home equity as security for additional borrowing or to refinance your current home loan – all without having to sell your home.

Here are three ways you could make your newly enlarged home equity work harder:

1. Refinance to save on interest

Your home loan is probably one of your biggest household expenses.

Refinancing to a new loan or lender can help you save with a more competitive rate, or by taking advantage of loan features that help you pay off the mortgage sooner (such as an offset account).

And the more home equity you have, the easier it can be to refinance.

2. Use your home’s equity to fund an investment property

Your home equity may be used as a deposit on an investment property in lieu of cash savings.

By becoming a landlord, you could benefit from regular rental income, potential tax savings, and an increase in the value of your rental property over time.

Not to mention having a nice little nest egg that could help fund your retirement or – if you’re feeling particularly generous – pass on to your children.

3. Put home equity to work funding renovations

One of the beauties of home ownership is that you can add value to your property – regardless of what the market is doing – with a few well-planned renovations.

But how do you fund those renovations if you’re tight for cash?

Well, one way is to tap into your home equity to fund the renovations.

So how does ‘cashing out equity’ work?

It might sound complicated – but we promise it’s not.

Let’s say you bought an $800,000 house three years ago that, partly due to last year’s property price surge, is now worth $1 million.

And let’s also say you originally took out a $600,000 loan for that house, which you’ve managed to pay down to $500,000 (you little beauty!).

By refinancing that $500,000 loan into a $700,000 loan (70% of your property’s new market value), you can unlock $200,000 in equity to help fund your renovations or as a deposit to buy an investment property.

It’s also worth noting that banks typically let you borrow up to 80% of a property’s market value.

Which means if you upped the ante and refinanced to an $800,000 loan, you might be able to unlock $300,000 in equity.

So if you’d like to make your home equity work harder, call us today for a clearer picture on how much equity you have – and how you can tap into it to potentially grow your wealth.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

FOMO, FOBO and FOOP – how they can hold you back

Nobody likes missing out on a good thing. But then again, who likes overpaying? So how do you strike the right balance when both fears can work against one another?

The property market rarely stands still. Interest rate movements, the number of homes listed for sale, and even the time of year can all drive shifts in the market.

And change plus commitment isn’t something we’re all comfortable with.

It can even see us put mental traps in place that mean we panic about missing out on a good buy, or alternatively, we convince ourselves it’s better to sit things out on the sidelines.

Let’s take a look at three mind games that can work against home buyers – and how you could beat them.

Fear of missing out – uh oh, FOMO

FOMO can be a real thing for home buyers, and it’s possibly starting to have an impact on the property market once more.

According to REA Group, today’s buyers are being gripped by a sense of urgency to make their move into the market.

The reason?

Growing expectations of interest rate cuts are sparking concerns that property values may soon skyrocket again.

Already, research firm CoreLogic says market data points to further growth in home prices.

The result is that autumn is shaping up as a particularly busy season as buyers look to race in before values head higher.

So should you sprint into the market too?

Well, before racing in to buy a home, have a chat with us and we can let you know if you’re home loan ready today.

Fear of better options – let go of FOBO

Some buyers never quite get into the market because of nagging doubts that an even better property could come along.

The thing is, no home is perfect. Buyers often find a bit of compromise is what gets them into the market.

To avoid FOBO, jot down the essential features you’re looking for in a home. Then back it up with a list of nice-but-not-necessary features.

If you can find a property that ticks the boxes for all, or most, of the must-haves you can be confident you’re buying a place that will suit the majority of your needs.

Fear of over-paying – forge a path past FOOP!

It’s possible that humans have wrestled with the question “am I paying too much?” for centuries.

No one wants to pay over the odds for their home.

However, this shouldn’t freeze you into taking no action at all.

Two simple steps could help dispel concerns about whether you’re paying too much for a property.

First, do plenty of research and check out comparable home values in the area you plan to buy in. It can help you identify if the asking price for a place is reasonable or over-the-top.

Remember, you can always attempt to negotiate on price – especially if you have home loan pre-approval, which shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, remember that property values typically rise over time.

For example, data from SQM Research shows that back in 2009 the average asking price for a house in Sydney was about $755,000. Fast forward to March 2024, and that figure has jumped to more than $1.9 million.

Hence the saying: “time in” the market generally beats “timing” the market.

Because if you plan to hold your home or investment for the long term, chances are you’ll look back at what you paid, and be glad you purchased when you did.

But … to help make sure you don’t purchase a house that’s beyond your means, get in touch with us today and we can help you work out your borrowing power.

In turn, you’ll be able to work out what your home buying budget is, and what your monthly home loan repayments will likely be.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Explainer: how construction loans work

There’s something very special about moving into a newly built home or putting the finishing touches on a major renovation. Maybe it’s the look and feel of new paint and fresh flooring, or just knowing you’ve kicked a worthwhile goal.

Whatever the motivation, plenty of Aussies are rolling up their sleeves right now, with the value of building approvals jumping 14.7% from December 2023 to January 2024.

Meanwhile, on the renovation front, we’re not just pimping our pads for looks and lifestyle.

Almost half the home renovations carried out in 2023 were designed with a ‘green’ focus to improve energy efficiency, according to Houzz Research.

The upshot is that planning a new build or renovation can be exciting and rewarding.

But long before you kick back and enjoy the fruits of your (or your builder’s) labour, you may need to decide how to pay for it all.

And a construction loan could be the right tool for the job.

How do construction loans work?

Construction loans work a bit differently from regular home loans.

Instead of receiving a lump sum from the lender, which is usually the case with a traditional home loan, a construction loan drip feeds funds in line with various stages of the project.

If you’re building a new home, for instance, a lender will typically make progress payments across five main stages, including:

– laying the slab;
– erecting the frame;
– reaching lock-up:
– fitting out your home; and
– completion of construction.

This arrangement can offer valuable advantages.

For starters, paying out smaller sums during the construction period may provide a level of protection for the borrower against a builder being paid for work that isn’t completed.

In addition, while the project is underway loan interest is only calculated on the funds drawn down, not on the final total value of the loan.

During the construction period, you’ll generally be asked to make interest-only payments. This can be a lot kinder on your household budget than principal plus interest payments, especially if you’re renting while the builders are at work.

What to watch for with construction loans

Building projects don’t last forever (though it can feel that way at times), and neither do construction loans.

When your new home or renovation is complete, your construction loan will typically roll into a regular home loan.

It can all sound very simple – and it usually (with any luck) it is.

However, a key challenge with construction loans is that they’re not offered by every lender.

That’s why it can be important to speak to us at an early stage.

We can help you identify lenders with construction loan options that meet your needs and budget, and guide you through the application process.

Our support can save you time and leave you free to focus on your building project.

So if you’re looking to build or renovate, talk to us today about your funding options and we’ll aim to help you get the ball rolling on your construction project sooner.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Why offset accounts are hitting new highs

Spare cash can be tight right now (cost of living crunch, anyone?). But if you’ve still got some savings plus a home loan, there’s a way you could make your surplus funds work harder.

Ever heard of an offset account?

They’re becoming an increasingly popular add-on feature to home loans, with new data showing that homeowners are stashing money in their offset accounts at a record pace.

In fact, balances in offset accounts have increased to 11% of credit limits, the highest share since APRA started collecting data on this particular stat in March 2019.

This essentially means that, on average, people with offset accounts are only paying interest on 89% of their mortgage each month.

So how do home loan offset accounts work?

An offset account is a cash account linked to your home loan.

The bank doesn’t pay you interest on the offset account. Instead, the balance of the account is deducted from (or ‘offset’ against) the balance of your home loan when loan interest is calculated.

For example, say you have $20,000 in an offset account and a home loan worth $615,000, which is about the size of the average new mortgage Australia-wide.

Instead of monthly interest being based on the full $615,000, the lender will only charge interest on $595,000 – that’s the $615,000 loan minus the $20,000 in the offset account.

This means you pay less loan interest each month.

And there’s an added bonus: because your loan repayment amount stays the same, more of each payment goes towards paying down the loan principal, which in turn helps to reduce next month’s interest cost.

And so on and so forth.

In this way, offset accounts are a way for borrowers to swing the mortgage pendulum more in their favour, with savings on interest plus the potential to pay off their home loan sooner.

Why are offsets so popular right now?

Long story short, offsets are increasingly popular right now in no small part due to high interest rates.

And because no interest is paid on the balance of the offset account, there is no tax impact.

That’s quite different from having a separate savings account, where a high income earner can lose a sizeable chunk of their interest earnings to tax.

The icing on the cake is that the home loan interest rates that lenders charge are typically higher than the interest returns they pay on savings accounts.

This means offset accounts can let borrowers make their spare cash work harder by saving more on loan interest than they could earn with a regular savings account.

Last but not least, some lenders allow you to have multiple offset accounts (with debit cards attached!) linked to the one home loan, which can allow you to put all your money to work each month – as opposed to having it in different buckets across a number of low-interest transaction accounts.

What to consider with offset accounts

First and foremost, the money you put into your offset account is potentially money you could be investing elsewhere.

So you’ll have to weigh up whether that money is better served by helping you pay off your home loan sooner, or investing towards your future in other assets.

Secondly, it’s important to be confident you are paying a competitive home loan interest rate.

That’s because offset home loans may come with loan fees and/or higher interest rates than more traditional loans. Not always, but sometimes.

Last but not least, offset accounts don’t tend to work with fixed-rate home loans. But … there are ways you could split your home loan so that it’s part fixed and part variable (with your offset account attached to the variable side).

That’s why talking to us about your home loan needs is important.

We can compare across our wide panel of lenders to help line you up with a loan that matches your needs – and discuss whether an offset account might be a suitable option for you.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

How long does it really take to get a home loan?

Need a home loan in a hurry? You could be in luck. Plenty of lenders are keen to crunch loan approval times at present – but there’s a lot borrowers can do to potentially speed up the process, too.

Finding a home to buy can take time, and when the right place comes along it can feel as though you need to sign the sale contract fast to stake your claim.

But from there you’re going to need a home loan, and that’s where timing becomes critical.

The good news for home loan applicants is that average turnaround times have reached new record speeds at some of the bigger banks, while processing periods for smaller lenders have also reduced, according to the latest Broker Pulse survey.

But don’t let that lull you into a sense of complacency.

It’s important to have your loan ready to go by settlement – usually six weeks after you’ve signed and exchanged contracts (however this period of time can potentially be negotiated with the seller).

Otherwise, if you don’t have finance sorted by settlement date, the seller may be able to charge interest and penalty fees.

So, there can be a lot riding on getting your home loan approved in a timely fashion.

The general rule for loan approval times

How soon your home loan can be arranged often varies between lenders.

Some lenders boldly claim that it can take as little as an hour.

But that’s not usually the case.

To try and play it safe, allow about four to six weeks from the time you submit an application to having the funds available.

But of course, if you require funds sooner than that, then it could be a matter of us helping you line up a lender with quicker turnaround times (and then having us hassle them a bit for good measure).

What’s usually more important, however, is that you focus on the home loan that matches your needs, rather than racing in for a mortgage that can be arranged in record time.

5 ways to help speed up the home loan process

Fortunately, borrowers can do plenty to try and speed up the loan process.

Here are five steps you can take to help keep application and approval times tight:

1. Talk to us first

We can explain your borrowing power, let you know how big a deposit you may need, and check if your finances are in the shape it takes to get the green light from lenders. We also have access to resources that estimate how long approval times currently are with potential lenders.

2. Get your paperwork together

Gather all the documents a lender is likely to ask for, including copies of payslips, birth certificates and other ID, plus bank account statements for the past 3-6 months. If you’re unsure, this is a step we can help you with!

3. Try and hold off on any major changes

Big life changes, such as starting a new job or business just before you apply for a loan, can leave lenders asking questions. Try to maintain your budget – your usual spending/saving patterns – and your current job, to avoid a ‘please explain’ from lenders, which could delay loan approval.

4. Double-check you’ve completed the application accurately

Any mistakes on your application form can see the paperwork returned to you for corrections, putting the brakes on the whole process. Once again, we can help minimise any potential discrepancies in your application.

5. Ask us about loan pre-approval

Waiting until you’ve paid a deposit to apply for a mortgage can be a high-stakes, high-stress strategy. Loan pre-approval is a way to help you speed up the loan application process while also potentially boosting your bargaining power with vendors.

Call us today for more tips on getting your loan across the line – we’d love to help you move into your new home sooner.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Where are the bargain homes located in your suburb?

Location may be a big driver of property prices, but in any given suburb a few streets can be all that separates paying top dollar for a home or potentially scoring a bargain. Here’s how to use a tool to find pockets of value in any given neighbourhood.

Each suburb has its own median house price, and sites like realestate.com.au can provide a useful guide to median values for a particular postcode.

However, the median is obviously only the middle point in each suburb’s dataset – and it’s common for prices to vary widely across a single suburb.

Fortunately, there is an easy online tool that can help you identify more affordable pockets in the suburbs you’re looking to buy in.

New interactive price tool

PropTrack has developed an interactive property price tool that reveals the median values across different parts of each suburb.

The price differences can be surprising.

For example in Beecroft, on Sydney’s leafy north shore, the median house price is about $2.4 million.

But as PropTrack’s price tool shows, in certain parts of Beecroft, the median rises to more than $2.8 million.

Yet, several streets away, that figure is closer to $2.2 million.

There is a reason for the $600,000 difference.

The more affordable parts of the neighbourhood lie adjacent to the M2 Hills Motorway.

It’s a similar story in Melbourne’s popular inner suburb of Fitzroy North.

Known for its character-filled terrace houses, Fitzroy North has a median house value of $1.6 million.

But if you want to live near Edinburgh Gardens – the suburb’s attractive parkland – be prepared to pay closer to $3 million.

In Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the trendy James Street Market side of James Street has a median house price of $3 million, whereas across the road towards Brunswick Street there’s a median house price of under $1.9 million.

These price differences are not unusual.

According to a PropTrack analysis, home buyers can typically save around $365,000 by buying in the more affordable areas of a suburb.

In some neighbourhoods though the price gap becomes more of a chasm.

In the Perth suburb of Subiaco, for instance, several pockets of homes have median values topping $2 million.

Head just around the corner to Subiaco Oval and the surrounding homes are priced closer to $840,000.

What to watch with bargain buys

By this stage you’ve probably noticed a trend.

Nearby features can have a real impact – good and bad – on surrounding property values.

Access to the beach, great views or a local park can push property values higher.

On the other hand, homes bordering a 6-lane highway or nearby industrial estate can offer bargain buying – as long as you’re prepared to live with whatever is keeping the price lower.

And then there may be not-so-obvious factors – such as flood zones or upcoming changes to council zoning – so it’s worth doing your research.

After all, there’s a lot you can do to renovate a home, but you can’t change the location.

Seizing opportunities

That said, pricing differences within suburbs can offer opportunities to save.

A single street can be all that separates an expensive home from its more affordable neighbour.

Buying in the cheaper neighbourhood lets you enjoy all the amenities of the more expensive postcode, without the higher price tag.

It’s also worth keeping tabs on any planned local developments that could have the potential to transform today’s ugly duckling pocket into tomorrow’s upmarket enclave.

Thinking of buying? Call us today to understand your borrowing power – it’ll help let you know where you can afford to buy.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Home buyers rejoice! More listings are hitting the market

Great news for home buyers! After an extended run of low listings, the number of homes coming onto the market is skyrocketing. So could this have an impact on the property market? Let’s take a look.

Take a look around your local suburb, and chances are you’ll see freshly minted For Sale signs popping up all over the place.

That’s because a large number of homes are coming onto the market.

Research firm PropTrack says the property market is off to a strong start for the year, with the number of new listings nationally on realestate.com.au up 12% year-on-year in January.

Melbourne and Sydney had their busiest January in over a decade.

Activity was also strong in Hobart, Brisbane and Adelaide, with Canberra experiencing its busiest-ever January for new listings.

Only Perth bucked the trend, recording slightly fewer new listings this year compared to January 2023.

Why the uptick in listings?

The rise in new listings reflects strong demand, very low unemployment and population growth.

Home buyers are also enjoying a more stable interest rate outlook.

February saw rates remain on hold, and PropTrack says financial markets are now expecting a reasonable chance that interest rates may start to fall later in the year.

What does more listings mean for home buyers?

More homes coming onto the market gives buyers the benefit of increased choice, and that’s a real plus if you are looking for your first home or upgrading to your next place.

But the rise in listings may not push home prices down.

That’s because we are still seeing plenty of keen buyers.

As a guide, CoreLogic estimates 115,241 homes were sold over the three months ending January 31 – an 11.9% increase on the same period last year, with high levels of migration being a big driver of demand.

CoreLogic adds that expectations of lower rates later this year could see house price growth accelerate.

How you can prepare

More choice can be a good thing for buyers. However, it can become easy to lose track of what you’re looking for in a property, especially if you’ve attended a large number of inspections.

That’s when it helps to draw up a list of must-have home features (such as aspect, block size or parking requirements) followed by nice-but-not-necessary features (like, say, a swimming pool or a shed) to assess each home you visit.

It also makes sense to be ready to act when you see a property you’d like to buy.

Having home loan pre-approval in place lets you set a buying budget, so you can focus on homes within your price range. It also means you can make an offer with confidence – and stay one step ahead of less-organised buyers.

Talk to us today to get your home loan ducks in a row and take advantage of a wider choice of homes listed for sale.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

They’re back! Why property investors account for one-in-three new home loans

Lending to property investors is soaring once again. We lift the lid on what’s driving investor interest – and what it could mean for the property market throughout 2024.

It looks like property investors are back … and in a big way.

The latest ABS figures show that in December 2023, banks lent over $26 billion in new home loans – and one-third of this figure, a whopping $9.5 billion, was to property investors.

That equates to 36.2% of all housing loans – the highest market share for property investors since mid-2017.

It’s also quite an uptick from December 2020, when the ABS says investors took out just 23.6% of mortgages.

So why the big shift in recent times?

What makes an investment property so attractive?

There are many reasons why people may love owning a rental/investment property.

An investment property can be a source of extra income, and right now, some investors are pocketing very attractive rental yields (that’s annual rent divided by the purchase price of the property).

PropTrack, for example, is reporting yields as high as 9% in some suburbs.

Investors may also expect to see their property grow in value over time, which could add up to some pretty impressive capital gains.

CoreLogic looked at the results of 86,000 property resales in the third quarter of 2023, and found 93.5% were sold for a profit, with the median gain coming at $298,000. Not bad at all.

And home values are tipped to jump a further 6% in 2024, according to ANZ Bank.

Add in rental vacancy rates hitting record lows of 1.1% in January 2024, and many investors are attracting good tenants, which can be great for cash flow.

How could the return of investors impact the market?

On a personal level, buying an investment property could potentially be a boost for your long-term financial well-being.

ABS has acknowledged that rising household wealth in Australia is being supported by house prices that have continued to grow despite higher rates.

More broadly, PropTrack points out that the re-emergence of investor activity “heralds good news for the overall health of the market, helping to drive more new construction”.

Long story short, the benefits of more rental properties could extend beyond individual investors.

Is an investment property on your radar?

If you’re thinking about buying a rental property, or you’d like to add to your current property portfolio, talk to us today about your options for an investment loan.

We can help you work out how much equity you may be able to leverage, as well as your overall borrowing capacity.

From there, we can help you track down a suitable mortgage with a competitive rate from our broad suite of lenders, leaving you free to focus on finding your ideal investment property.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.