Where are interest rates heading and what should you do?

For many Australian’s, their home loan is their largest expense. And property investors should seek to minimise their borrowing costs (interest) as it’s one of the top three factors that directly impacts investment success as outlined in this blog. With this in mind, I thought it was timely to look at the current opportunities in …

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New data: Interest rates, super returns and more

Some interesting information and data has been released this week which I would like to discuss with you. Variable mortgage rates will probably rise soon Interest rates that apply to interbank lending have increased significantly since the beginning of the year. These benchmark rates are used to set the banks borrowing costs. This benchmark rate …

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SMSF’s may no longer be able to borrow to invest in property

I wanted to communicate an important change in the lending marketplace. If you have ever contemplated using your super to invest in residential property with borrowings, you must work out if its appropriate and advisable to do so now as your window of opportunity is closing. A major lender in this space, St George/Bank of Melbourne announced today …

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Should you switch your investment loan to principal and interest?

Over the past two years lenders have been incrementally increasing interest rates on investment loans and loans with interest only repayments (as opposed to principal and interest). As the chart below illustrates, the average interest rate margin between a principal and interest home loan and an interest only investment loan is now 1.04% p.a. As …

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Will the banks stop you from building wealth?

Over the past couple of years there have been many changes that have dramatically reduced your borrowing capacity. The Financial Services Royal Commission, government has put pressure on the banks to reduce investment lending and a directive to tighten lending standards just to name a few. If you are unable to borrow then your only …

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Updated: Ensuring your loans are structured correctly

Your loan structure can have a big impact on your success as an investor. It can influence interest rates, borrowing capacity, cash flow, taxation liabilities and so on. Four years ago I wrote this blog which included 7 loan structuring tips and I wanted to update you on a few matters. Funding a property owned …

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How do banks set interest rates?

Understanding how banks set interest rates can help you make better informed decisions, particularly in regard to identifying the best lender to use. There are three main factors that influence rates. And some products and lenders may be influenced by only one or two of these factors. 1) Cost of funds ‘Cost of funds’ refers …

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