How to stand out as a homebuyer

Buying a home isn’t easy.  Here are some tips to make sure you stand out and aren’t continually pipped at the post by more motivated buyers.

1. Get pre-approved for your loan.  Alongside the obvious benefits such as knowing exactly your maximum spend, being pre-approved is a signal to the vendor and agent that you know what you’re doing and you’re ready to go.  This can encourage a seller to negotiate in good faith and to take you seriously.

2. Make an offer.  Even though a property might be scheduled for auction, making a realistic offer can sometimes be enough to tempt a seller to sell prior to auction, especially if the sales campaign has been slower than expected.  Never underestimate that selling is just as stressful as buying, and a nervous seller might jump at your offer.

3. Offer flexibility.  Does the seller want a movable settlement date?  Do they want to be able to rent it back for a short period of time?  Being flexible on these types of requests might put your nose in front of other buyers.

4. Use a buyer’s agent.  Having a dedicated and professional advocate representing you can give you market knowledge, negotiating power, access to off market listings, and a calm and steady presence.  A buyer’s agent can leverage their relationships with sales agents to give the inside lane on finding a negotiating on a property.

Standing out as a buyer is all about showing that you’re serious, flexible, and financially secure. These qualities make sellers feel confident that the transaction will go smoothly and quickly, which can be the deciding factor in competitive situations.

How your spending habits affect your borrowing ability

Figuring out how much you can borrow for a home loan isn't just you telling the bank you can afford the repayments. It's a detailed process where every aspect of your financial life can be scrutinised. They'll want to know all the standard stuff about you like your household income, and other income such as rental or investment. But there's more to the equation than just the basics.

Your existing debts play a crucial role. Car loans, buy-now-pay-later, HECS, credit cards… these will all chip away at your maximum borrowing power. Credit cards in particular can bring your maximum down. Lenders will look at the card limits – not the balance – when assessing your borrowing power.

If you have non-mortgage debt and are thinking about a home loan you can consider paying down your debts and reducing credit card limits or closing credit cards. Speak to us first – if you’re using your saved deposit to close other credit you want to make sure you don’t leave yourself short.

What about my Uber Eats addiction?

Yes, banks care about how you spend. Particularly if you have a smaller deposit, the lender will want to see your spending habits to make sure you aren’t putting half your pay on race 4 at Flemington every Saturday. If you’re an Uber Eats fan and have excessive transactions on your statement this could hint to the lender that you aren’t super responsible with your spending. It’s beneficial to your bank statement regularly to see where your money is going. Uber Eats, Afterpay, Streaming Services, and eating out can quietly accumulate over time. Even if you aren’t applying for a loan, reviewing your spending is a good financial habit to be in.

In the end, getting a mortgage isn't just about numbers on a page. Part of it is proving to the bank that you're financially responsible and ready to take on the challenge. So, get wise, tighten your budget, and talk to us for advice on how to get into your home sooner.

Refinance case study: one conversation could save you $141,759

You might be surprised at the potential savings from refinancing your home loan. Emily and Jack bought their first home in Rozelle six years ago and had not reviewed their home loan since then. However, with recent changes to the market, they were now ready to discuss refinancing.

We looked at their financial position and discussed their goals. They were looking for a lower interest rate, better online services, to pay down their loan sooner and consolidate debts. Comparing over 30 lenders we were able to select a loan tailored to their needs and objectives.

We selected a loan with a lower interest rate, minimal fees, an offset account and redraw facility.  The offset account works for Emily and Jack as they both earn an annual bonus, and putting the bonus income in the offset will allow them to pay off their loan sooner by reducing the interest payable.

When we refinanced the mortgage, Emily and Jack also took the opportunity to consolidate their debts. By borrowing an additional $25,000 they were able to clear and close their credit card and car loan. This had the benefit of reducing their overall monthly loan repayments, and an additional benefit of streamlining their finances as they only had to manage the one monthly repayment. The lender we selected has an excellent online banking portal - something that was very important to Emily and Jack.

We selected a low interest rate with a $4,000 cash back incentive to maximise savings. With their $1,200,000 mortgage this refinance will save them an incredible $8,725.36 in the first 12 months, and a total savings of $144,759,000 over the life of the 30 year loan*. This savings, achieved purely by refinancing, allows Jack and Emily to pay off their mortgage sooner, a primary financial objective when we first spoke.

We are up to date with the latest market information and are committed to finding you the best possible rate. If you want to chat about the refinance options available to you, contact Garreth today on 0414 444 683.

*Interest rates are not fixed and will vary in accordance with the market.

Expert advice from a broker committed to finding the best solutions for your needs

What is home equity and how can you use it?

Accessing the equity in your house can help you with your next major purchase.

Using the equity built up in your home can be a smart way to use your wealth to make a major purchase.  If you are looking to buy a car, renovate your home, or buy an investment property you can use your home equity to make such a purchase.

Equity is very simply the difference between your home’s value and the amount you have outstanding on your mortgage.  If you have a million-dollar home and owe $500,000 on the mortgage, then your equity is $500,000.  People usually build equity in their home by paying down the initial mortgage and through rising home values over time. 

Equity can be accessed for many different purposes: consolidation of credit cards, paying for a holiday, buying a car/boat/caravan, home improvements, or even to pay for a wedding. 

Along with those purposes listed above, using equity to buy an investment property is a very popular way of using your accumulated wealth to invest and create more wealth. 

Often when accessing equity to buy an investment property there is the opportunity to borrow enough that your out of pocket expenses with a property purchase are covered.  This means that you don’t have to tap into your savings for things like stamp duty.  You might also be able to balance out so that the rental returns cover your outgoings, creating passive income. 

Typically, I would not recommend borrowing more than 80% of the property’s value, but there can be exceptions. 

Things to consider:

• You will need to be able to show that you can afford the repayments on the extra amount owing (and any investment loan if that is the loan purpose)

• The lender will assess your situation and want to understand what the equity is to be used for, and will sometimes want to see proof

• If you are using equity to purchase, for instance, a car, you should understand the cost differences between adding debt to your 25 year mortgage as opposed to taking out a six year car loan

There are a few simple steps to accessing home equity:

1.       Work out how much equity you have. 

This can be done simply by establishing the value of your home and subtracting the amount owing on the mortgage.

2.       Calculate the equity you can realistically access. 

You will need to be able to service the repayments on the extra loan amount and this will impact the amount of equity you can access.

3.       Review the options available to you. 

We can help you to research suitable lenders and products, comparing features, rates and costs to find the loan that best suits you.

4.       Work out the costs and fees. 

If you switch lenders there may be additional fees with government fees, application fees, and break costs on your existing loan.

5.       Apply for the loan and proceeding to settlement. 

We will work with you to apply for the loan and to see you through to settlement.

If you want to understand more about home equity and how is can be accessed, please speak to us.  We would love to hear from you!

How will the federal budget affect property and lending?

October 2020 update from Blackwattle Finance

Economic news

The federal budget is the big news this month. The government has outlined their path away from recession, with tax cuts the lead story. There are three major property related measures highlighted: extension of the first home buyers deposit scheme for new homes (10,000 new places), more low-cost financing for affordable housing through NHFIC, and additional funds for the Indigenous Home Ownership Program.

There are also big plans for credit regulations which I will touch on further down.

At Citi’s 12th annual investment conference RBA Governor Philip Lowe hinted at another interest rate cut. Lowe said that “As the economy opens up… it is reasonable to expect that further monetary easing would get more traction than was the case earlier”. He also confirmed that an increase in the cash rate is as least two or three years away – something for mortgage holders to keep in mind when making decisions on loan options.

Property news

September saw a boost in the national housing market, with prices and new listings increasing in all capital cities except for Sydney and Melbourne. Given the size of the Sydney and Melbourne markets (more than half in terms of value) the overall average value came down ever so slightly. This has meant five straight months of decline overall, however the rate of decline has decreased.

Predictions are that October will continue to improve, with Victorian lockdowns easing and the seasonal spring activity driving more activity.  Experts are highlighting "clear optimism" generally.

Lending update

As touched on earlier, there is quite big news.  As part of the federal budget announcement Treasurer Frydenberg has flagged plans to simplify the regulations around lending with the aim to free up credit.  If Parliament agrees to the proposal, we will see the changes come into play in March 2021.  Ostensibly this will make getting a loan more straightforward, with the onus for accurate application information shifting back from the lender towards the borrower. 

My two cents?  Banks will be given a huge task to update processes and policies to fit the reforms.  The size of the task will mean it will take an eon to implement fully and properly, and won’t have the economic impact hoped for.  Still, simplification will be welcomed by many who have found the process of obtaining credit bordering on ridiculous in recent times.  

About half of the 500,000 home loans under deferral of repayments have now recommenced payments.  This is a welcome development which means that the finances of Australian homes are returning to normal.  People who have been unable to refinance into the low rates now available should soon be able to demonstrate repayments and allow them to switch.  Once again, let me know if this is you.

FIRST HOME BUYERS – NOW IS YOUR TIME.  Another 10,000 spots have opened for new dwellings in the federal government’s first home loan deposit scheme.  In short, borrowers who save a 5% deposit will have their loan guaranteed by the government which means no lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) payable.  Combined with stamp duty concessions this means big savings for those of you who have been trying to break into the market.  If you want to see if you’re eligible please let me know.

What’s the difference between offset and redraw?

The difference between offset and redraw is not always understood.  So, what is the difference between offset and redraw?  Does it matter?  And how could it affect you?

Some of you who were following the news over the last couple of months may remember this story where ME Bank made some changes to their redraw policy.  Effectively what happened was that customers who had paid in advance on redraw loans had their advance payment taken away, meaning that they couldn’t access the advance payments.  There was instant outrage from their customers and the decision was quickly reversed.

What is redraw and how does it differ from an offset account?

On a redraw loan, the customer makes payments over and above the minimum monthly loan repayment.  This is an effective way to minimise the interest charged and to reduce the overall cost of the loan.  If needed you can “redraw” the advance payments to use for other purposes.

An offset by comparison is a separate account to the loan account, and any money sitting in this separate account “offsets” the balance upon which interest is charged on the loan.  If you had a $500,000 loan with $100,000 in your offset account you will only be charged interest on $400,000. 

Whilst a redraw loan lets you access your advance payments there’s a risk that the lender will take the redraw away.  There is often limits on the amount you can redraw and the number of times a year you are able to redraw.  Sometimes there is a fee for redrawing.

Offset accounts typically work like any other transaction account: you can access them at any time for any amount, you can have your pay paid into it etc. Loans with offset features often have an annual fee attached and can have a slightly higher interest rate.

Choosing what is right for you

So, which is better?  The decision between redraw and offset is ultimately one of personal preference.  Offset has greater flexibility but may have more costs and a higher rate.  Redraw is simple and usually cheaper, but you may run the risk of not being able to access the advance funds if and when you need it. 

Understanding the pros and cons of each will allow you to make an informed choice.  You as the consumer should think about your needs and objectives to make a call on what is best suited to you.

Buying with a smaller deposit - lenders' mortgage insurance

When you consider that an inner Sydney apartment could set you back a million dollars, saving a 20% deposit to buy can seem an insurmountable task. That’s where insurance can help.

Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) may be an added expense, but it offers buyers the opportunity to dive into the property market earlier, without saving up an entire 20 per cent of the property’s purchase price as a deposit.

What is it?

LMI protects the bank or lender should a home loan go into default, guaranteeing that the lender will get its money back if the property needs to be sold and there is a shortfall in repaying the loan.

While a 20% deposit generally provides a good buffer against any drops in property value over the life of a loan, LMI can also provide the same protection, meaning borrowers can purchase property with a smaller deposit.

What’s in it for you?

For the borrower, it may seem LMI is just another expense to cover. But insurance can mean that some buyers will be able to enter the property market with, for example, only a five per cent deposit saved. For a million-dollar property, this brings the deposit down from $200,000 to $50,000.

And, if the market is hot and prices are rising rapidly, paying LMI so that you can buy now could be cheaper than taking the time to save a bigger deposit. In the time it takes to save a higher deposit amount, property prices may well have surged by more than cost of the insurance so, for some properties and purchasers, it can make good financial sense to purchase earlier even with the added cost of LMI, especially when you consider the rent that you would pay while you’re saving.

What you need to know

The insurance premium is generally a one-off payment, but you can usually capitalise it into the loan amount so that you are paying for it month-by-month along with your mortgage. 

There can be a big difference in premium amount paid.  If for example you have a 10 per cent deposit compared with a five per cent the LMI premium will be much cheaper.  It’s worth gathering all the extra funds you can muster, even if you despair of reaching the full 20 per cent.

How to pay off your home loan faster

Reducing the life of your loan isn’t difficult; there are many simple things you can do to cut years off your mortgage. Here are some tips that will help you be mortgage-free sooner than planned.

 Small extra repayments

One of the most obvious ways to pay off your home loan quicker is to make extra repayments. Depositing lump sums, such as a tax return or work bonus, will always be beneficial, however it doesn’t always take large amounts or windfalls to make a substantial difference – planning for regular, small cash injections can have a great impact over the life of a loan.

 Let’s say we give an extra $50 a fortnight on a $500,000 loan, that saves you $32,000 of interest over the life of the loan which in turn will save you just over two years,

 Switch your payment intervals

If you find that you don’t have the discipline to make extra repayments, then simply switching your payment structure can also help save years off your mortgage, as well as simplifying your finances if you are paid fortnightly.

 Because there are 12 months in a year but 13 four-week cycles, by switching your payment intervals from monthly to fortnightly, you are essentially paying off an extra month per year.

 Make sure you have the right type of loan

Ensuring your loan allows extra repayments without penalty will let you to make the most of bonuses or funnel small extra payments to reduce the loan principle more quickly, saving on interest immediately, while an offset account will use your savings or living expenses to reduce your principle, while still allowing you to access these funds from a transaction account.

 Offset accounts are particularly useful. Because interest is calculated daily but charged monthly, any money sitting in the account will help reduce the loan.

 Although you may have to pay extra fees for the offset or redraw account, these may well be lower amounts than the interest saved. Talking to usis the easiest way to work out whether this option is financially sound.

 Paying off your home loan faster isn’t difficult, however it does require financial discipline and expertise in ensuring the right loan features are in place.

How to speed up your home loan approval

There's no straightforward answer to the question "how long will it take to get my loan approved".  Every application is unique, so the time between your first contact with your bank or broker and approval can never be predetermined. There are, however, some things you can do to help hurry your application along.

A best case scenario for loan approval is usually two or three days.  When the client’s lending position is fairly straightforward in terms of employment, asset and liability position, along with a lower LVR, it's more likely to be a quick assessment.  If there is some complexity in employment status, property type, or loan structure this will often cause time frames to increase.  Also, if the lender has a promotion or particularly good offers on the market this can mean they're busy and therefore slower.  We are also seeing lenders ask for additional information more frequently in recent times, and this creates a to and fro which can extend approval time.  

Disclose all information

To reduce the likelihood of back and forth requests, which can delay your application, ensure your lender has a thorough understanding of you as an applicant including appropriate identification of all borrowers. Provide all the supporting and necessary documents upfront to your broker, and convey as much detail as possible in relation to your requirements and objectives and have good, current information on your financial position. The broker will need to not only have your full financial details but will also need to take reasonable steps to verify it.

Skip the valuation queue

Not all applications require a valuation, depending on the property and lending institution, and forgoing this step can save a considerable amount of time. You can also save time by having a valuation completed prior to your application, as long as it’s accepted by your chosen lender – but check with us first.

To ensure your application avoids any unnecessary delays, speak to us. 

Five things first-home buyers need to know

Before you decide to purchase your first property there are a number of things to consider, including your current personal circumstances and financial status.

1. Think about why you want to buy a home

Do you want to live in it or will it be an investment property? This can help determine the kind of loan you apply for and home you buy, depending on your short and long-term plans.  

2. Research potential properties and loans

Knowing the market is crucial, so do some research on the areas you are targeting.  Check out auction clearance rates and recent sales, as well as price trends in the area. Once you are aware of what you are looking for and the approximate price, the next step is saving a deposit.

While some lenders will offer loans if you have saved less than the usual 20 per cent deposit, being able to show a record of good saving habits will aid in getting your loan approved.

Then, when you talk to us about applying for pre-approval on the right type of loan, we can help to work out what you can afford in terms of repayments.

3. Factor in other costs involved

Depending on the property, there are usually a number of additional costs that you'll need to factor in. This can include, but isn’t limited to, stamp duty, loan establishment fees, legal and conveyance services, utilities, property insurance, maintenance and lenders mortgage insurance.  There are some first home owner grants and tax and duty concessions for first home buyers that you might be eligible for.  Speak to us about what other payments you will face and what concessions you might be able to get.

4. Think about your future

Just because your current situation allows you to get a home loan, that doesn’t automatically guarantee that you will still be able to service it in five years’ time. Is there a possibility your role at work will change? Are you considering going back to study and reducing your working hours?

5. Get professional help

With so many things to consider, getting professional help is highly recommended. We can help you to connect with the expert people for tasks such as property checks, pest checks and any legal queries. Going it alone can prove costly. Avoid nasty surprises down the track by getting the right people to do the appropriate checks for you from the beginning.

Get in touch with us at Blackwattle Finance for great advice about buying your first home.

How to get the best return on an investment property

When purchasing an investment property, there are several factors that could increase or reduce your potential return on investment. In this case it's not just location, location, location. 

When considering a property for investment purposes, the most important question to ask is 'will be attractive to tenants?'.  But how do you know what will appeal to someone you've never met? Settling on a handful of locations is a good start. Young families and couples are the ones that drive capital growth and so a location that is within a reasonable distance to schools, entertainment, transport, and an employment hub is one to look out for.  Other ideal factors are a low vacancy rate and relatively high rental yield.

Although location plays a major role, it's by no means the only defining factor. There is a mistruth a lot of people subscribe to when buying investment properties which is to disregard the quality because you don’t have to live in it.  You should buy a homeowner quality property, because someone has to live in it, and when buying an investment property, you must have an exit strategy, which will generally involve selling to homeowners as well as investors.

To get the most value, you need to think about the demographic of renters who are likely to be living in the area. You should match the property with the area.  If you buy a good quality, decent sized, one bedroom apartment in the inner city, it would be a great investment, however if you put it 40km out, it won’t garner as much interest.

When investing in any kind of property, be wary of any danger signs. One of the biggest mistakes Australians make is not knowing what their cash flow is.  Bad cash flow is worse than paying too much for the property.  It is vital to know how much your chosen property is going to cost after tax, every week after you settle. There’s no point in buying a top-quality property if it’s going to send you broke.

When looking to purchase an investment property, ensure the expert you are dealing with is actually an expert. Everyone has an opinion on property.  Blackwattle Finance can connect you with trusted professionals in our network.  As well as speaking to a real estate expert, speak to Blackwattle Finance for our insights on the market. 
 

Rules of Investment

When you’re trying to secure finance for an investment property, it’s important to keep a few simple rules in mind to make sure you get the best deal possible and will be able to afford the repayments, come what may.

If you’re thinking about purchasing an investment property, it’s important to manage the risks adequately. For example, you shouldn’t rely on rental returns as a guaranteed income to meet loan repayments, as there are times when a property may be vacant or hard to fill immediately and some months the rental return on a property may be diminished by maintenance costs. 

Blackwattle Finance can help you find the right product, and ensure you can afford the repayments.  We factor in things like rate rises to make sure you can still make repayments if, or when, mortgage rates go up.

Most investors will already have put some thought into where they would like to invest and will have an approximate price-range in mind. While a loan calculator is a great resource to start out with, a finance broker can use their expert knowledge to sense-check and flesh out your plans.

With access to property data and trend analyses like RP Data’s, Blackwattle Finance can pull property reports for you, detailing how the area has performed in the past as an investment, the average median house price or rate of return and how much the property values have increased over the past five or six years. These are details that investors generally can’t access.

Get in touch with us now to learn more.  Our market knowledge and experience can help you get an edge when choosing your next investment property. 

Property Investment on a Lower Income

While you may not need a six-figure salary to invest in property, those who earn a relatively low income will have to get a little more creative to start a portfolio. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Find an investor-friendly loan
The challenge for low-income earners is the time taken to save for a sufficient deposit. Some lenders require a higher deposit for an investor than is required for an owner-occupier, so seek out a lender and loan that is investor friendly, or consider living in the property for a period after the purchase before converting it into an investment property as your portfolio grows. 

In any case, having at least 10 per cent of the property’s purchase price as a deposit will not only increase the likelihood of loan approval, it will also increase your borrowing capacity and lower the risk that you will have to pay lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI).

Prove your financial discipline
Your lower income on an application can be offset by proving yourself a low risk borrower. Having genuine savings will not only highlight to lenders your ability to consistently meet financial payments and live within your means, it is also an opportunity to increase your borrowing power. The same can be said for lowering any existing debts.

You should pay off any car loans or personal loans before applying for an investment loan if you can.  Also, keep your credit card limits as low as is practical as loan servicing is calculated on the limit rather than the balance.  

Choose the right property
When it comes to choosing the property, low-income earners will generally do well to steer clear of anything that’s negatively geared, as you are not trying to offset your high income with losses, and remember the importance of profit over property. 

Regional areas might be a good option as properties are generally cheaper to purchase and there are often better rental yields than in capital cities.  There has also been good capital growth in regional NSW in recent times.  

Seek out different strategies
Investing with a close friend or relative is another way to enter the market for those who earn a low income. As long as agreements are in place, including who is responsible for the mortgage and what happens if one owner defaults, how the property will be used, in what circumstances it may be sold, and how maintenance will be paid for, co-ownership is preferable not owning a property at all.

Find the right loan
There has been recent research suggesting that as many as 60 per cent of applicants who are rejected by the major banks would be eligible for a loan through a specialist lender. Specialist or non-conforming loans do carry higher interest as a rule, to account for the higher perceived risk the lender is taking, but this type of loan can be a stepping-stone to a prime loan, and it’s often possible to switch to a prime loan after a year or so.

Property investment may be slightly trickier for low-income earners, but in most cases is accessible provided the right properties and finance products are sought out. Contact us to find out more
 

Understanding Credit

Have you ever wondered what a lender looks at when assessing someone for a loan?
  
The fact of the matter is that there are innumerable variables that come in to consideration – way too many to cover off in a short blog post – but there are some basic tenants that are helpful for a borrower to understand when they are getting ready to apply for a loan. 
  
First and foremost, a lender will want to know about your credit history and will check your credit file.  Obviously if you have defaulted on a previous loan they will want to know about it, but there are more clues on a credit file than basic defaults or bankruptcy.  For instance, if there is a pattern of lots of enquiries for credit this may influence whether you are seen as credit worthy.  If you do have a default this doesn’t necessarily rule you out for a loan entirely. Sometimes, the lender can be influenced by mitigating circumstances, otherwise there are specialist lenders in the market who may still write you a loan with conditions (such as a higher interest rate).  There are also credit repair companies that can help with blemishes on your credit file.  If you are in a situation like this get in touch and we will see if Blackwattle can help you. 
  
Lenders will also want to see that you have stability in your personal circumstances. Factors such as how long you’ve been in your job and/or industry will be considered, and whether you have moved house frequently.  For self-employed and commercial loans, a lender will want to know that you have a good track record in business.  
  
The lender will also want to feel comfortable that you can repay the loan without experiencing undue hardship.  In short, they will not want to loan you more money than you can afford to pay back.  They will check how much money you have coming in versus how much you are spending on your living expenses.  Budgeting tools can help you stay on track of your outgoings, and you can estimate your borrowing power to see what is affordable for you.  
  
Your asset position will also come in to play.  What do you own?  Do you have property already, and if so, how much equity is there?  Do you have shares or other investments? Savings?  What other debts do you have?  And ultimately, what is the net position after your assets and liabilities are set off against each other.  This is pretty simple: the stronger your asset position the more comfortable a lender will be with giving you a loan. 
  
If you are looking for a secured loan (such as a home loan), the lender will want to know that the secured asset (the house) is worth more than the loan.  This gives the lender security that if something goes wrong that you will be able to cover the debt by the value of the asset.  Same rings true for any secured loan such as a car on a car loan, or business assets on a commercial loan – the lender will want to cover all or most of the debt with the value of the asset.  
  
Finally, broader macroeconomic factors will be taken in to consideration.  Things such as official interest rates, economic direction, and sometimes factors relating to your industry of business or employment will influence a lenders decision to give you money.  
  
A good broker will understand the factors considered by a lender and will be able to help you navigate the credit approval process and make the best case when applying for credit.  Get in touch with us now for help with your next loan.