Blog 2075 in Saint Ives, New South Wales, Australia | Local service

Blog 2075

Locality: Saint Ives, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 488 510 123

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25.01.2022 Where is the #StIves market at now? This graph shows the median sales price has dropped from $2.05M to $1.92M. The graph makes the drop in value look worse than it is. This is just a 6.3% drop in prices over the 12 month period, which isn't too bad at all compared to some Sydney suburbs. Properties in Ryde, for example, lost 16% of their value over the 12 months to May, and the average decline in Sydney was around 8%.... Many signs are starting to point towards a property recovery in Sydney over the coming months.

25.01.2022 Looking for a premium property? Now might be a good time. With prices at a low point, particularly premium properties, you might want to think about upgrading your home. This 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom 1341sqm property, at 77 #CambourneAvenue #StIves has luxury written all over it, and has just sold for $2.55M through Ray White Upper North Shore.... While this is a very solid price given the market conditions, it just goes to show what buyers can get for their money in this price bracket. This property boasts: - Double brick and concrete build with limestone floors - Lift access across all floors including from the double garage - Lounge with floor to ceiling curved glass and stunning views of Garigal National Park - Banquet-sized dining, expansive living, Real Flame gas fire - Two walls of bi-folds with inside/outside entertainment areas - Tpp-end deluxe induction stone topped kitchen - Huge island bench, massive storage, dual integrated fridge/freezers - Double ovens, quality European appliances, breakfast bench - Powder room, separate master wing with robes and luxe ensuite - 2nd bedroom with ensuite, 3rd bedroom with adjoining sitting room - Robes, zoned ducted a/c, underfloor heating in baths - Gas bayonets, double garage, workshop, under house storage/cellar - Glass wrapped and gas heated pool I can help you determine how much you might be able to borrow if you are considering upgrading your home.

24.01.2022 Since our third rate cut two weeks ago, there has been a lot of discussion in the media about the banks not passing on the full saving to consumers and whether or not they should be. Happily for borrowers, the push and pull between policymakers and the banks may lead to beneficial consumer outcomes. Lenders still need your custom and they are willing to compete for it. Even if they dont have enough fat in their budget to give back to mortgage holders, some may choose a lower... return on equity to secure a customer. Interest rates also look set to fall further with at least one more cut, and potentially even two more, expected by February 2020, which puts further pressure on banks to lower their rates. All this means borrowers are in the power position when it comes to negotiating on interest rates. Please contact me asap as I can negotiate with your current lender for a better rate or discuss the option of a refinance with a different lender for a more suitable loan and a more competitive rate.

23.01.2022 Here's something a bit different. This 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom property at 44 #KitchenerStreet #StIves is listed at $1.95M - $2.1M through Belle Property Pymble. With wooden panelling throughout most rooms, this architect-designed bush haven feels like a retreat. It boasts 2012sqm land, solar heated pool, great indoor/outdoor entertainment spaces, a downstairs rumpus/media room, a wine cellar, statement circular fireplace and stunning sunsets and northerly outlooks over the b...ush from the deck. While it feels like you are miles from anywhere, it is just 5 minutes from #MonaValeRoad, where there are buses to the city and schools. It will be interesting to see what this goes for, as it looks like a great price for a beautiful property.

23.01.2022 The media is telling us the Sydney housing market is heating up again. While it's a little too early to tell, we can get an idea if we compare prices in St Ives for the beginning of this year to the end. For the period Feb to May 2019, when the market was very sluggish, there were 51 sales, with a median price of $1.705M.... For the most recent 3 month period - August 7 to November 7 - there were 76 sales and median price (of those disclosed) was $1.911M. So on the surface of it, it would appear we are seeing prices starting to head upwards. Please get in touch if you would like some reports on the local property market or want to discuss your lending needs.

22.01.2022 If you're looking to upgrade or purchase a higher end property, this one may be for you. 8 #DerbyStreet #StIves is a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house on 949sqm. Located within walking distance to St Ives village, this architecturally designed property is enormous and offers high end fittings and fixtures. It will indeed be interesting to see what this goes for now. It last sold in July 2017 for $3.2M, but that was about the height of the market before prices in Sydney dropped. ... Some of its impressive features include: - Double vaulted entry foyer, elegant formal lounge with gas fireplace plus upper-level rumpus/teen retreat - Designer Miele-appointed gas kitchen with large stone island bench, walk-in pantry, Miele steam oven and marble splashback - Large covered terrace and sparkling in-ground pool - Four luxuriously fitted double bedrooms including lavish master suite with walk-in robe and freestanding circular tub plus in-law/guest wing with ensuite - Low maintenance established gardens, privacy hedging, child-friendly lawns, five-camera CCTV security system and internal access to DLUG - 2 minutes walk to St Ives Primary and High School

21.01.2022 This 5 bedroom, 2 bathoom property on 961sqm is up for sale, listed at $1,650,000 - $1,750,000 through Belle Property Lindfield. As can be seen from the pictures, it is very well presented and boasts high end appliances and fixtures, pool and a gas fireplace. Backing onto a small reserve, it also offers a picturesque bush outlook. Located at 75 #LynbarraAvenue, it is only 16 minutes walk to St Ives village. It actually last sold for $1,620,000 back in December 2015 so buyers should feel pretty good about this purchase.

21.01.2022 Australia hasn't seen interest rates this low since the 1950s. With the cash rate now at 1%, and two more rate cuts on the cards by early next year, we may see the cash rate come down to 0.5 %. This means, borrowers have a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to pay off their debt more easily. ... If your financial situation allows it, increase your mortgage repayments or make additional lump sum repayments. You can shave years off your mortgage and significantly reduce the total interest you pay over the life of your loan. Please give me a call if you are not sure whether you can afford to make additional repayments on your mortgage and I can help you crunch the numbers.

18.01.2022 Pssst.......We've changed our look! What hasnt changed is our philosophy of providing the highest standard of expert mortgage & asset finance advice plus our dedication to the journey of our clients goals. If theres anything we can help you with right now, please dont hesitate to get in touch.... Ben 0488 510 123

17.01.2022 Last week's rate cut should be welcome news to anyone considering borrowing. We are now at a cash rate of 1.25, a record low as can be seen from the graph below. What is behind the decision? Put simply, the economy needs a boost. 1. The most recent inflation figure for the March quarter was zero. ... 2. It looks likely we will see the weakest annual GDP growth since the GFC for the 12 months to March 2019. 3. Wages growth also remains stagnant, growing at just over 2 per cent annually, despite healthy employment levels. 4. Household consumption is low, affected by ongoing low income growth as well as declining home prices which effectively reduce overall wealth. So, how will the cut affect you personally? This depends on your lender. Commonwealth Bank and NAB have committed to passing on the rate cut to borrowers in full. Westpac and ANZ, however, will only pass on some of the savings to their customers. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss how this rate cut might affect your loan.

17.01.2022 Great 4 bedroom house up for sale for just $1.2M This property, on 965sqm, is nicely presented and boasts a north facing rear, pool, rumpus room, 2 bathrooms and easy flow layout. Located at 21 #BurdekinCrescent, #StIves, it is also in a very quiet location, and close to bush walking tracks.... Up for sale through McConnell Bourn, I think this property presents a great opportunity to take advantage of the buyers' market prices.

17.01.2022 This 4 bedroom , 2 bathroom house on 1062sqm has just sold for $2.08M through Belle Property Pymble. While this home is very nicely presented with manicured gardens and white picket fence, fireplace and pool and is within walking distance to #StIves village, I think this was a great price considering the sluggish market. Located at 7 #LancasterAvenue, this is a single level home with a west facing rear that potentially has some traffic noise from nearby #HoraceStreet.... It goes to show decent sales are still possible in this market, particularly for well presented properties such as this one.

16.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT ME? 1. I am like a free private lending consultant. I am available at any time for a chat about your finance or property plans and can provide advice on anything from property trends in your suburb to borrowing capacity to suitable lenders for your unique circumstances. I care about your future and want to help you achieve your financial goals. 2. I've got your back: After settlement, I make sure that your loan has been implemented correctly and there ...are no outstanding issues. 3. Ill keep your current lender on a tight leash: When the timing is right, I will lodge a pricing discretion request with the lender comparing the best offers on the market with your current loan. I can often secure a discount for you with your current lender. 4. You will always have access to the most suitable, competitive rate: I do an annual review of your loan, checking your interest rate is still competitive, your loan features and lender services are still suitable, and assessing whether you need loan consolidation or a loan restructure. 5. I make sure you are across the property and finance market: I send regular emails on finance and property trends, interest rate news, lending news and trends, and the state of the economy and the property market. I can also provide comprehensive property reports on specific suburbs as well as a host of other information from Smartline to help you do your own research. Call me anytime for outstanding mortgage advice.

15.01.2022 You may have read that auction clearance rates in Sydney are way up. However, listings are still low, which is why houses are selling at auction; those who do want to buy have less choice. However, spring is expected to bring more stock on the market, and this may see clearance rates falter - in any case, spring stock numbers will be the real test of the strength in Sydney's market.... Nevertheless, the auction figures are encouraging. Most analysts are predicting single figure growth for Sydney over the next 12-18 months.

13.01.2022 Pssst.......We've changed our look! What hasn’t changed is our philosophy of providing the highest standard of expert mortgage & asset finance advice plus our dedication to the journey of our clients goals. If there’s anything we can help you with right now, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.... Ben 0488 510 123

12.01.2022 If you're looking for luxury, here's one possibility. This house at 21 #BarraBruiCrescent #StIves is 'near new' and, as can be seen from the pictures, backs directly onto National Park. The 5 bedroom 3 bathroom house offers high ceilings, open plan living spaces, a huge alfresco deck and pool looking out over the bush. Expressions of Interest close in November.

12.01.2022 Good news for borrowers! APRA has decided to lower the 7% serviceability requirement. What does this actually mean?... In 2014, APRA obligated lenders to test borrowers' capacity to service their loan at a rate of 7% (or 2% higher than their actual rate). This is one of the reasons that lending has been tight and borrowers have not been able to borrow as much as they may have done in the past. It looks likely that APRA will lower the benchmark to 6.5%, which would add approximately 15% to the average borrowing capacity. If this change goes through, it will be up to each lender to determine if they want to lower their serviceability requirements in line with APRA. Feel free to give me a call to chat about what this could mean for you.

11.01.2022 Welcome back to 2020! When was the last time you looked at your home loan? Three interest rate cuts last year and a slow down in the economy means interest rates are as low as they've ever been. Now is the perfect time to make sure you are on a competitive rate with your mortgage.... I can negotiate with your current lender for a better deal or we can discuss whether a refinance might work for you. Sometimes you need to become a 'new' customer to get a lower rate. I have over 20 years banking and finance experience so you can rest assured I will arrange a great loan for you. There is also no cost to you for my service. Please call me on 0488 510 123 to arrange a chat about your home loan.

10.01.2022 There's a potential development site for sale at 115-117 #KilleatonStreet #StIves. The offering is two freestanding residences next to each other, occupying a level 2909sqm north to rear parcel of land. It is zoned R2, Low Density Residential, 9.5m building height, so could be developed for seniors housing or similar business opportunity (STCA). Alternatively, the two houses are ready to rent at a potential income of around $1600pw.... If you are considering a development opportunity, please give me a call ASAP to discuss financing. EOI closes 1 July!

10.01.2022 How can I support you during the COVID-19 pandemic? As the global spread of coronavirus creates uncertainty around the globe, I wanted to let you know that here at Smartline, we are still open for business and I am ready to help and support you with all your lending needs. The health and wellbeing of our clients are paramount, so we have taken steps to make sure we can continue to provide a high level of service to our clients. 1. Financial hardship and your existing loans.... While it is still very much a developing situation, many lenders are reviewing their existing financial hardship arrangements in light of the COVID-19 impacts. If you have any concerns at all regarding your ability to make loan repayments as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, please give me a call to discuss. 2. New loans. In light of social distancing recommendations, Smartline has instigated an amended policy to allow video conference calls in place of face-to-face meetings. We are also working closely with our lenders and with our industry representative, the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia, regarding meeting policies to ensure our clients can still take out new loans during this time. If you do require a loan, please give me a call to discuss your options. Lets stay connected and all look after one another during this difficult time. Ben 0488 510 123

09.01.2022 4 bedroom house sold for $2.775M! This is a huge price for a market in 'recovery' sold through Alex Mintorn - McGrath Wahroonga While this property, at 76 #DouglasStreet #StIves, offers a large 1151sqm land, is very nicely presented, has a north facing rear and is walking distance to St Ives Park public school, it is still a 30 minute walk to the shops. It got me thinking though, what are the top house features buyers will pay for? ... In the comments section below, let us know your top 5 in order (here's a few examples: north facing rear, level yard, pool, walk to shops, walk to schools, number of bedrooms, garage, outdoor entertaining area etc).

08.01.2022 Listed at $1.45M, this 4 bed, 2 bathroom property on 861sqm, could be a gret buy for those looking for a house in the lower price bracket. Listed through Belle Property Pymble, the house is nicely presented and the listed price is only 9% higher than what it sold for back in 2015! The property boasts NW to rear, close to Garigal national park and surrounded by bush, quiet cul de sac location, close to buses, fireplace, and a great child-friendly rear yard.

08.01.2022 This is an interesting sale. After 185 days on the market, 41 #LancasterAvenue, #StIves has sold for $2,280,000 - the same price it sold for in August 2016. It has also been "recently renovated" - does anyone know if this was before or after the recent sale? ... It's certainly a tough market for vendors right now, but buyers should be keeping a close eye out for opportunities.

08.01.2022 You may now be able to borrow more - here's why. Most of our lenders have announced their new serviceability rates now that APRA has removed the 7.25 per cent interest rate floor. This means lenders only need to assess a borrower's ability to make mortgage repayments at a rate 2.5 per cent above the loans existing rate (rather than at minimum interest rate of 7.25 per cent).... So, if you are considering taking out a new loan or refinancing an existing loan, you may be able to borrow more than you could have previously. Now is a great time to have a chat with me about your borrowing needs and future plans. I can help you determine if the serviceability changes could open up any opportunities for you.

07.01.2022 3 bedroom double storey apartment for sale at 513/17-19 #MemorialAvenue #StIves. This apartment is close to everything and features 2 car spaces, 2 bathrooms, heated pool, spa, sauna and gym in the complex, internal laundry, storage area and master with ensuite. Listed at $1,000,000 to $1,020,000, and with an expected rental of $750pw, this would be a 3.9% gross yield for investors - not too bad in this market.

07.01.2022 The property market in Sydney is hard to read right now. This article may give you some insight into what is going on behind the scenes, with a multitude of different factors - including interest rates, lending policy, economic growth and affordability - all playing their part in the immediate future of the Sydney property market.

06.01.2022 Are you saving for your first home? Do you hate the idea of paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance? Do you know about the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme? This new government scheme will be available from 1 January to eligible first home buyers who earn up to $125K (singles) or $200K (couples). You must be purchasing a property valued at less than the cap in your region (see image below).... There are only 10,000 successful applications granted per year so if you are interested, please give me a call asap to discuss your eligibility.

06.01.2022 Are you still renting? Now is a great time for first home buyers to consider purchasing their own home. Recent stats from the ABS show that renters are paying more for household costs as a percetage of their income than home owners with a mortgage. Household costs for renters are now up to 20.2% whereas household costs for homeowners with a mortgae have dropped from 19% to 15.9% over the last decade or so.... Add these figures to the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, record low interest rates, and recent changes to the serviceability rules which may allow you to borrow more, and you have a great combination. Get in touch with me today to discuss your future.

05.01.2022 Buyers - the good news you have been waiting for! On top of the probable relaxing of servicability requirments, there are three other reasons to considering getting into the property market. 1. A Colalition government is great news for property buyers and has brought some stability and confidence to the property market. Investors can take heart that there are no changes to capital gains tax or negative gearing on the horizon. Labors property tax policy changes threatened to ...affect investment returns, and exert further downwards pressure on property prices. Many experts now expect the price declines across much of the country to stabilise sooner rather than later. 2. Compounding this, the cash rate still looks set to drop at least 50 basis points this year, and possibly more, so borrowers can expect to see at least some of these savings flow through on their interest repayments. 3. First home buyers should also be excited about the Coalitions First Home Loan Deposit Scheme being introduced in January next year. The government has said first home buyers may be able to access a loan with just a 5 percent deposit. Please be in touch if you would like to chat about your lending options.

05.01.2022 Here's an interesting house flip story. This property, at 19 #CarcoolaRoad #StIves, has just sold for a massive $3,950,000. Set on 1472 sqm land, it was last bought in 2014 for $1,312,000 and underwent a huge renovation.... As can be seen from the pictures, this is now a high end, modern, luxury 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house. That's a huge capital gain of $2,368,000. While the value of the unrenovated property would have increased by around 40% during this period (including the downturn), this is only $545,000, bringing the original house to a value of around $1,836,000 today. Regardless of what they spent on the renovation, this looks like it would have been a very profitable property flip!

04.01.2022 Direct from the Law Institute of Australia.

04.01.2022 What do you look for in a new home? Views? North to rear? Lots of light? Useable layout? Great school catchment? Pool? Close to shops? This beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom property at 4 #Lyrebird Place #StIvesChase has all these things.... Up for sale thorugh Chadwick Real Estate, this property last sold for $1,450,000 in 2012 although it has undergone some renovations since then. What would you expect to pay this house?

04.01.2022 The state of the market - #StIves: House prices have come off in St Ives by around 11% since their peak in November 2017, as can be seen from the first graph below. You can see in the second graph (the blue line), that sales numbers have been very low comparatively, with only 12 sales recorded in June. Sellers have been reticent to put their homes on the market given the lower prices. ... However, lower interest rates is expected to bring buyers out of the woodwork and, combined with a lack of supply, should start pushing prices up. They have already started to turn around for Sydney as whole, with median dwelling values up 3.5% in the September quarter.

03.01.2022 Pssst.......We've changed our look! What hasn’t changed is our philosophy of providing the highest standard of expert mortgage & asset finance advice plus our dedication to the journey of our clients goals. If there’s anything we can help you with right now, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.... Ben 0488 510 123

02.01.2022 Did you know that: 1. 1 in 5 Australians have never checked their bank or credit card statement. 2. 4 in 5 Australians avoid taking action on their finances because theyre too busy, it takes too long, or they dont know where to start.... Be smart - keep track of your finances. Smartline even has a budget planner that can help: www.smartline.com.au/home-loans/calculators/budget-planner/

02.01.2022 Did you know that housing is actually becoming more affordable? When property prices rise faster than household income, it becomes more and more difficult to buy your own home i.e. it becomes less 'affordable'. The national value-to-income index came down from 7.0 in December 2017, to 6.7 in December 2018, thanks mostly to property price decreases in Sydney and Melbourne.... Outside of these markets, incomes have been rising faster than dwelling values, so we are actually seeing housing affordability improve in these regions also. In fact, there are suburbs and towns in every state where it is now more affordable to buy than to rent. You can see from these graphs that value-to-income ratio, the share of income required for mortgage repayments, and the number of years to save for a deposit, all decreased in 2018. Once wages growth starts up again (fingers crossed), affordability will improve further.

02.01.2022 This cute 3 bedroom home at 54 #MelaleucaDrive, #StIves has amazing views from a number of rooms and is light and bright with a large 99sm land. It boasts lovely sandstone stairs up to the door, timber floors, deck, brick fireplace, Casual dining opens to the deck, covered carport. It is also leased until July next year, which may be interesting for investors or even home owners who aren't ready to move in just yet! This could be a great option especially for first home buyer...s or investors wanting to get into the St Ives market. Please give me a call to discuss your lending needs anytime.

01.01.2022 Direct from the Law Institute of Australia.

01.01.2022 So interest rates are coming down. What should you do? Use this opportunity to get ahead on your mortgage! Try to keep making your repayments at pre-cut levels as this will help you pay off your loan more quickly, and reduce the total interest youll pay over the life of your loan. ... The article below shows how, on an average mortgage of around $400,000, you could save $40,300 in interest and reduce your loan period by 39 months, just by maintaining your repayments. If your budget allows, you could even consider increasing your repayments by around 2 per cent per year or making additional lump sum repayments to really supercharge the reduction of your debt. I can help you determine if you can afford to increase your repayments or make lump sum contributions.