According to the ABS, the number of people refinancing their mortgage increased by over 63% in the year to May 2020. Quite often people think the only reason to refinance is to obtain a lower interest rate. However, this thinking is incorrect. Typically, you don’t need to refinance to obtain a lower interest rate (more …
Updated: 16 April 2019 (updates are made in blue) We have been receiving lots of questions from clients in regard to managing their finances and investments during the coronavirus shutdown. As such, we have decided to maintain and update this page which provides answers to some of these questions. We will continue to add new …
Author and property investor, Michal Yardney says “real estate investing is a game of finance with some houses thrown in the middle”. People think that the scarce resource is investment-grade property. But the scarce resource is actually borrowing capacity – as everyone has a limit to how much they can and should borrow. In a …
Borrowing to invest, particularly in property, has been a very popular investment strategy in Australia. A mortgage is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If you use mortgages properly, in a risk adverse way, it can be a very powerful wealth accumulation tool. However, if used poorly, it has the power to destroy more …
Most investors and some homeowners have interest only loans. However, the option to repay interest only doesn’t last forever. Most mortgages have a term of 30 years. Typically, the first 5 years is interest only. After that term has expired, repayments automatically convert to principal plus interest. If you have an interest only loan that …
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, first homeowner activity has increased by 51% since March 2016. First home buyers now account for just short of 20% of all new home loans. Whilst housing affordability has improved slightly recently, it is still tough for first home buyers to get onto the property ladder. However, the …
You would be excused for thinking that developed economies all over the world are gradually making their way to a zero interest rate environment. Long term fixed mortgage rates in the United States are less than 3% p.a. In the UK, rates are under 2% and even lower in Europe (circa 0.50% p.a. in France …
Borrowing to invest (in property or shares) is typically a good wealth accumulation strategy as long as you do it prudently and adopt a proven methodology to select quality investments. If used wisely, debt can be a very effective tool. However, whilst your investment strategy might require you to get into debt, the strategy must …
Two weeks ago, APRA told the banks that it no longer expects them to use a benchmark interest rate of 7.25% when testing an applicant’s borrowing capacity. Instead, they must add a buffer of at least 2.50% onto the loan’s interest rate. Given most home loan interest rates are in the 3’s, that could substantially …
Over the past two years, I have highlighted how tight the credit (mortgage) market has become a couple of times. In the past, borrowing was simple. The bank would always offer you more than you wanted to borrow. You only had to provide a few documents and the money was yours! Things have changed dramatically. …
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