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There are three main reasons people invest in property.   Capital Growth   Simply put, this is how much the value of your property will increase over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight so be prepared to hold onto the property for a few years if you want to see significant growth.   Rental & Investment Yield   This is the amount of profit you make from rent after you deduct expenses such as upkeep and taxes. Rent prices in Australia are sky-high right now so you can expect excellent returns.   Tax   There are plenty of ways to save on your tax bill if you invest in property. You can claim expenses such as renovations and capitalise on negative gearing by offsetting any losses you incur on your property against your taxable income.   I’m an expert on the financial benefits of investing. If you want more information, give me a call.   My Very Best To You Always, &...
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What a rush!   After attending a million inspections, scanning countless websites and being introduced to more agents than you can bare to think about, you’ve finally found your dream home.   It’s been worth every minute and you can’t wait to start moving in the furniture.   Unfortunately, that’s when the boring part begins.   Buying property is a huge undertaking and as such, there are some fairly stringent legalities that you have to consider. Since most of us aren’t fluent in property law, it’s advisable to get someone who is, to help you navigate the process.   A conveyancer will: Prepare and lodge your contract and accompanying legal documents Thoroughly check the history of the property and its certificate of title Act on your behalf with a vendor or agent Handle your deposit Ensure your rates and taxes are correct Act as your representative through settlement   ...
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How Does Debt Consolidation Work? Debt consolidation may sound daunting but in reality it’s just a few simple steps that can help make your finances much more manageable.   Let me walk you through them. The first thing you need to do is get your property valued. This will determine your loan value ratio (LVR) which lenders need to work out how much money you can borrow Rather than settle for the first valuation you’re offered, shop around and see what other lenders have to say. A higher valuation means more equity and more equity means more money to renovate, invest or withdraw. Work out a budget and speak to a professional about how much debt you can realistically add to your home loan Once you’ve done all your research, it’s time to apply for your new loan Good news! Now the loan is settled, your lender will pay off your other debts and add them to your mortgage repayments Streamlining your finances through debt cons...
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Something I’m asked quite regularly is, what on Earth is a mortgage broker?   It’s not a silly question.   Unless you have experience purchasing property it’s not a term people spend time thinking about and to be honest, finance isn’t always the most riveting topic.   Simply put, a broker: Is a mortgage expert who is there to help you for the entirety of your loan Negotiates with lending institutions to help find you the right deal for a great price Has a database full of lenders who are all wanting your business Can organise special discounts on your behalf Will even do your paperwork for you!   Most importantly though, a mortgage broker is there to support you through one of the biggest financial undertakings of your life. Your success is their success, so they will do everything they can to make your home loan experience a fulfilling one.   If you are ready to begin your property journey ...
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The basic concept of refinancing is switching from one loan to another. There are many reasons people choose to do this but one of the most common is because they want to lower the repayments on their home loan.   It’s pretty simple, really.   If you find a lower interest rate than what you’re currently on, you’ll end up paying less interest on a weekly and monthly basis. If you calculate those savings across a few years, you can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars.   For example, if you had an interest rate of 4.2% p.a on a loan size of $500,000 for 30 years your monthly repayments would be $2,694. If you then found a new interest rate of 3.6% p.a your repayments would drop to $2,530 a month, saving you $164 a month. That’s nearly $2,000 a year!   If this is something you’re keen to look into, we’d have to do some other calculations and have a look at your loan structure to make sure refinancing is the right option for you. I...
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There are plenty of arguments to support both sides of this debate. Some people value space and others prefer something small and easy to manage.   Overall, houses are more likely to grow in value than units but they require large upfront deposits. Maintenance and repair can cost an arm and a leg and despite being located in suburban areas, they can be victim to higher council rates and insurance premiums.   Units tend to be located in popular and bustling metropolitan areas with good public transport and utility options. They may include shared facilities such as gyms, pools and elevators and whilst they’re more affordable than a house, they may have strict body corporate conditions that limit your freedom with future home improvements.   The type of loans you can apply for will vary depending on your decision.   To run through some numbers, call me anytime.   My Very Best To You Always,  
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If you want to turn your investment into a sure bet, you should buy in an area that’s attractive to as many tenants as possible.   This means, infrastructure and amenities.   Before you put in an offer make sure you visit the property and ask yourself the following questions:   Are there good public transport options nearby? Can shops and services be easily reached from the property? What about parks, recreation and entertainment complexes? How far is the property from major employment centres like the CBD? Are there major facilities in proximity such as schools, medical centres and hospitals?   Sometimes an area may not tick all these boxes straight away but this doesn’t mean there aren’t plans underway to upgrade local infrastructure. Speak to the local government and check out historic growth data in the area.   If you have any questions about what the next hot investment property suburbs are, re...
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You might be thinking about putting your money away in brick and mortar to save for your future. Investing in property isn’t rocket science but there are a few rules savvy investors should follow for success. Here are some things we’ll cover in the next couple of weeks to get you started. Should I invest? Investing isn’t right for every one.The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re in the right financial position to take the risk. How do I build a strategy? Before you start your journey you need to do plenty of research and build a strategy around your specific budget and financial needs. How do I choose the right loan? Once you get your finances in order, start shopping around for a great loan. Make sure you get pre-approval from your lender before you start looking for your investment property. How will I manage my investment? It’s important to remember that an investment property is a long term commitment and yo...
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    It’s easy to get carried away when you find your dream house on the internet or attend an auction where the adrenaline is pumping and you’re ready to bid! The unfortunate reality is that most of us have budgets and unless you have a clear outline of what you can afford, you might find yourself trying to purchase something that’s out of your reach. That’s why home loan pre-approvals are so important. Whilst there are plenty of online applications out there offering ‘instant’ results, there’s no guarantee they are accurate and they don’t hold the same authority as approval from a lending institution. Why not let your broker use their contacts and expertise to secure you an official, fast and low-rate pre-approval, so you can start spending with confidence! If you have any questions about pre-approval or would like me to start organising yours today, let's talk! My Very Best To You Always,  
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  It’s Time To Start Comparing Navigating the mortgage loan market can be a really confusing experience. There are plenty of numbers and legal issues to consider and that’s before you even get down to choosing a great interest rate. Once borrowers get to this stage, they’ll often call and ask me about ‘comparison rates’ and whilst it’s always best to speak to a personal broker who can evaluate your situation, I thought I’d give you a brief rundown. What is a comparison rate? A comparison rate is a single percentage figure that gives you a more realistic idea of what your loan will cost you. It combines the lender’s interest rate with all the extra charges and additional fees related to that loan. Lenders are legally required to disclose this rate in their advertising. How Can it Help Me Choose a Home Loan? Without guidance from a broker, most people simply compare loans based on the loan interest rate. This can be a mis-guiding practice as they won’t...
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