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Related: Mortgage LoansNo move on Interest Rates again The final meeting of the Reserve Bank for 2015 produced no surprises as the Board made the decision to keep interest rates on hold. The official cash rate continues to stand at an all time low of 2%. Looking back on the past year, it’s been nothing but good news for the Australian housing market. Now that the traditional ‘spring fever’ has transitioned into the more languid days of summer, we can reflect on an extraordinary year. With one cut of 0.25% to interest rates and seven months of no change, homeowners have managed a sigh of relief, with many choosing to put extra payment towards their mortgage.
Mortgage Brokers more popular than ever Mortgage brokers are now responsible for writing over half of Australia’s home loans and are valued for their choice, expertise and convenience, according to a new survey commissioned by the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA). From a 49.9 per cent share of the market in the March 2014 quarter, total new home lending to mortgage brokers increased to 51.9 per cent in the March 2015 quarter. Over this time there was a $44.2 billion increase in mortgage lending across Australia and brokers were responsible for 71 per cent of this increase, Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals. Brokers were also found to be proficient at matching the right product to customer’s needs. In fact 30.2 per cent of broker initiated home loans went to smaller lenders, demonstrating that brokers offer consumers real choice and have access to a wider range of mortgage products than banks or other financial organisations.
How to Choose a Home Loan Term Some people pay off their home loan in record time, while others take 30 years. Which is better? Deciding on the length of your mortgage term is an important decision because it can significantly affect the amount of interest you pay, as well as have implications for equity and cash flow. With a shorter-term loan you’ll build equity more quickly, which gives you the opportunity to generate a larger profit when you sell. With a longer home loan term you will pay significantly more interest over the life of the loan, but on the flip side, there is more flexibility and less financial risk.
What is home loan portability? If you are moving house, home loan portability gives you the option to take your current loan with you. By keeping your loan from one property to the next, you won’t have to go through the process of refinancing and you can save on establishment costs like application and valuation fees, government charges and potential exit fees (banned on loans taken out after 1 July 2011). If you have a fixed rate home loan, then loan portability could save you the significant break costs that may be charged for altering your loan before the full term. It also entitles you to retain existing facilities like your ATM card, Offset account and cheque book. Some mortgages include portability and others provide it as an option.
untitled The start of a new year is a great time to review your finances. Engaging a mortgage broker now will give you a window of time to figure out what processes and practices you can improve upon. Do you need advice on your home loan? Are you getting the best possible mortgage rates and terms? Do you have a mortgage plan customised to your needs? Are you using the equity in your property to its advantage? What to Consider when Buying a Second Property Buying your own home remains the great Australian dream – and purchasing a second property may help you take your wealth further. Whether you’re building your property investment portfolio, buying a holiday house, upgrading or supporting a family member, there are plenty of things to think about before you take that all important next step. Consider your cashflow Property tends to be a long-term investment, so do your sums to make sure you can afford the ongoing repayments on two mortgages.
How will the changes to investment loans affect you? The importance of a knowledgeable mortgage broker has come sharply into focus following the recent banking system changes to investment loans. Many panicked borrowers have turned to mortgage brokers like us, for guidance in the months since the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) directed the major banks to place limits on investment lending and hold more funds in capital reserves. With each bank responding individually to the directive, the changes in policy and pricing have varied wildly from one lender to the next. There has been confusion among borrowers and concern about how current and future investment lending is affected. Investment loans affected by the APRA changes
Could you be tempted by the lenders latest home loan offers? There’s a lot of competition for Australia’s $1.3 trillion home loan market and one could be easy to be dazzled or confused by the variety of offers available. Indeed, some of the deals might sound more like those on offer from car dealers than the banks, but that’s what happens interest rates are low and every lender is keen to grab a share of the market. Home loan cash back offers In recent times, the deals have included cash discounts, $1000 gift cards to help with moving costs, cash rebates, holidays and even petrol discounts from one non-bank lender. A recent report by JP Morgan found that all the major banks were enticing borrowers with home loan rate discounts, with especially generous deals being offered to wealthy borrowers.
3 Questions to Ask Before you Refinance your Home Loan The home loan market is constantly changing, with new and attractive deals coming up all the time. Refinancing can help you secure a more competitive interest rate, access the equity in your home, add features (such as an offset account) or consolidate your debts, but there are some important questions to consider before you get the ball rolling. Has my financial situation changed? A refinance is effectively a brand new loan application. All of the personal financial data you had to gather the first time around will need to be produced again. The stability of your income stream, your assets, and your credit card debts and other debts and expenses will all be reviewed, and may impact the result of your application.
Are you looking for home renovation finance Have the wave of home improvement shows on television inspired you to carry out a home renovation? Whether it’s big or small, an investment project or home extension you’ve been dreaming about for years, the big question is – how are you going to pay for it? Here are some options to consider: Extend your mortgage If you’re planning an extensive home renovation, one of the most common ways to finance your project is to increase your current mortgage. Buying together – 4 tips about property co-ownership With the romance of Valentine’s Day still in the air, many may be feeling the romantic urge to take the plunge and shack up with a loved one, but property co-ownership is a serious business and getting it wrong can have long-lasting repercussions. Certainly, romantic reasons aside, co-purchasing a property can be a great way to improve your buying power and reduce the burden of debt repayments. It also enables you to split other costs such as rates, water and utilities.
Hassle free home loan applications - how to properly prepare For the majority of people, a home loan is the biggest financial commitment they will make during their lifetime. Such an obligation requires painstaking and meticulous planning, but with the right resources and careful preparation, you shouldn’t need to stress. Here are a few tips to help you make the home loan application a breeze.