Author: Frank Barragan

      Why do you need a mortgage broker? A mortgage broker is an independent person or business who specializes in finding the most suitable home loan for a customer, based on the customer’s individual needs and circumstances. Basically, like any broker the mortgage broker liaises between you as the property buyer and the banks or lenders who will lend you the money for your mortgage. So why go to a mortgage broker when you can contact the lenders directly? Open communication Unlike banks and other lenders, the mortgage broker isn’t looking to sell you a specific product whether it suits you or not – the broker wants to give you a full view of the market and find the right product for you. This opens up communication, as the broker needs to find out as much as possible about your requirements in order to select the most suitable loan package. And when you have questions or concerns, your broker will answer ...
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      Questions to ask your mortgage broker When you are going through the home loan and mortgage application process, your mortgage broker can help navigate you through all the paperwork and different loan options to find the right loan for you. While the process might seem overwhelming, you might not know which questions to ask. When you ask your mortgage broker the following questions, you will have a better grasp of why your broker selected this loan as the best fit for your circumstances. You also need to be confident that you feel this is the best loan for your circumstances, and if you have any concerns you can discuss these with your broker before signing on the dotted line. Do you have a license? A mortgage broker is required to have a current license in order to practice in the finance market, and this license should be displayed on their web page or in the office. Without a valid license, your mort...
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      How to choose the best home loan for you Taking out a home loan is a huge financial commitment and it is particularly important to choose a loan that suits your needs, so you can make repayments on your terms without worrying about hidden fees or excessive interest. Yet it can be bewildering to navigate all the different loan options available and pinpoint the loan that is best for you. It is important to keep in mind that lenders are determined to minimize their risk so for every benefit they offer to make the loan seem enticing, there is always another fact protecting their investment. So you need to look at the loan package as a whole rather than being drawn to one particular feature. Choose the right structure for your circumstances You need to consider your financial needs and your plans for the property as you want the loan’s features to cater to your circumstances. For example, you will require...
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      Pros and cons of Guarantor Home Loans As it becomes more and more difficult to break into the housing market, many families are considering the option of a guarantor home loan – generally used when parents provide their house as guarantee for a child’s loan. Basically, if you haven’t succeeded in saving enough for a deposit, another property can be used as equity in order to secure the loan. This is a serious financial step and not one to be taken lightly, so let’s look at the pros and cons of making this decision for your family. The pros Enter the property market sooner. If you are impatient to be in your own home, or if you are confident that your financial situation will become healthier further down the line, you only need a smaller deposit to have your loan approved. Avoid Lender’s Mortgage Insurance If your deposit is less than the 20% threshold, you are usually liable for lender’s mortga...
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      Benefits of a mortgage offset account An offset account is a bank account linked to your home loan. Rather than accumulating interest within the account, the money in the offset account is offset daily against your mortgage, reducing the interest payable on your mortgage. For example, if you have $20,000 in your offset account and a mortgage of $400,000, you will only be charged interest on $380,000 rather than the full $400,000. This can drastically reduce the length of your mortgage and the amount you need to pay in the long term. Tax free interest As you are not earning compound interest from the money in the offset account, you are not liable to pay tax on that money. Instead you are increasing the equity in your property. Flexibility As the mortgage account is like any other transaction account, you can deposit and withdraw funds such as your salary without incurring access fees. As the off...
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      Finding the right property for you Property-hunting is a stressful exercise – you are embarking on one of the biggest financial investments of your life, and you know you’ll have to live with your decision every day. Yet too many people rush into a property purchase, only to feel financially trapped in an unsuitable choice. The problem is that many properties on the market are presented in an attractive and appealing way, prompting you to make an emotive impulse decision. You can avoid the hazards of saying “I love it! Let’s buy…” about the first property you see, if you follow this 8-step preparation plan before starting the search to ensure you can identify the property that is exactly right for your needs. Residential or Investment You probably already know the answer to this question – do you want a new home to live in, or are you planning to rent it out as an investment property? Either way, ...
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  Is Debt Consolidation Right For You? A debt consolidation loan combines all your outstanding debts into one, so now you only have one debt at a reduced rate of interest and lower monthly payments than the combined cost of all the consolidated bills. If you have become overwhelmed with multiple debts and you are struggling to make minimum payments on any or all of them, rolling all these into one repayment can be easier and less stressful to manage. Another reason to consider a debt consolidation loan is if you want to focus on paying off a mortgage. By lumping all your other debts together, you can simplify repayments, and enjoy the benefits of a reduced interest rate. This gives you more funds to channel into your primary debt, increasing your equity. Reassess your current loans Before securing a debt consolidation loan, you could investigate whether switching your home loan w...
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  Once you’re settled and financially secure in your home, you might be ready to start thinking about purchasing a second property as an investment. Planning ahead Make sure your first property is secure before looking towards the purchase of a second property. If you are struggling to manage payments on your first property, expanding your property portfolio will not improve your financial position. You will need to demonstrate to a lender that you will be able to manage two home loan repayments, and you will need a back-up plan for any unforeseen issues such as temporary unemployment. Choosing the right property for the right price Start by calculating whether you can manage additional payments and responsibilities. You need to calculate in advance how much rental income you will need to make in order to cover loan repayments. From here, you need to look at the...
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      Which is the right home loan for you? There are a bewildering variety of home loans available, and it can be confusing to figure out which type of home loan is the best for your circumstances. However, when you know the pros and cons of each type of loan, you can make a decision that will fit best with your financial situation. Fixed rate home loan A fixed home loan offers an interest rate that is fixed for a set period of time – usually 1, 3 or 5 or 10 years. The key benefit is the ability to budget, knowing exactly how much your repayments will cost each time. However, a fixed loan doesn’t have the same flexibility as other loans – you will encounter restrictions if you want to make additional repayments, such as fees or capping to a low amount. You might also be disappointed if interest rates drop dramatically and you are still paying the same fixed rate. This is a good option if you...
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      Prevent A Nasty Property Surprise HOMEBUYERS and real estate investors are being warned to watch out for the hidden traps that may be lurking in their potential purchases. Leaky showers, cracked ceilings and self-opening doors and among the signs pointing to bigger and more costly “nasty surprises”, the Association of Building Consultants says. Spokesman Chris Short says understanding a building’s condition and the likelihood of future repairs is vital when assessing a property purchase and managing a mortgage. “Many homes are tidied up for sale, with the pre-sale spruce ranging from a basic clean through to bogging cracks, repainting, retiling and re-grouting, and even new floor coverings,” Short says. “The makeover might look good, but it also masks what might be more sinister problems such as termite damage, salt damp, structural issues, unlicensed and dangerous electrical work, and more. “...
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