Darren Bryant | Businesses

Darren Bryant

Address: Level 1, Suite 1, 136 Victoria Road 2150

Website: https://pivotalfin.com.au

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25.01.2022 Working with a mortgage broker A mortgage or finance broker acts as your go-between, communicating with banks and lenders on your behalf, in order to secure the best deal for your circumstances. With approximately 40% of home loan applications being turned down, you can benefit from a broker to ensure that your application is sent to the right lender. However, while the broker can save you a great deal of running around, you should still double check everything to make sure y...ou are getting the best deal available. Is the broker licensed? Before you start doing business with a mortgage broker, check that they are fully licensed. In Australia, it is illegal for a credit provider or broker to operate without a license. You can check through ASIC ConnectsProfessional Registers or call ASICs Infoline on 1300 300 630. Before you start doing business with your licensed broker, ask what loans they offer and how they are paid. The brokers fee is generally covered by commission paid by the credit providers, although some brokers may charge you a fee instead of commission or on top of their commission. If you are expected to pay a fee, you need to know this before you start doing business. Shop around before choosing a broker, so you are confident you have the best and most cost-effective person for the job. The brokers role Your mortgage broker is responsible for negotiating with credit providers such as banks, to find the best possible loan for your circumstances. They can offer you a range of loan options and help you manage the process of buying your property. Make a list of all your loan requirements, so the broker knows exactly what you need and want. If the broker is making recommendations that do not fit your requirements, do not settle for not good enough ask the broker to keep looking. While the broker will save you a great deal of time and money by searching for loan options, you can still do your own window shopping. As your broker is paid by commission, it is possible they will favour a certain lender over one that has the deal you desire. Alternately, they might not have connections with a lender who has the home loan deal you want. It doesnt hurt to look around! Written loan agreement Once the broker has secured a loan that satisfies your requirements, you must get a written agreement, specifying the type of loan, the amount of the loan, the term and the current interest rate. It should also cover any fees you are required to pay, such as commissions, brokers fees or fees to the credit provider. You may also incur fees if you wish to terminate the agreement before the end of the term. How to make a complaint If you have a dispute with your broker or any concerns about their professionalism, you can make a complaint by contacting ASICs Infoline on 1300 300 630.

25.01.2022 How many do you follow?

24.01.2022 Did you know that just because one lender rejects you doesnt mean another wont welcome you with open arms! Use a mortgage broker to help you (for free) find not only the right home loan deal but also the lenders that will actually help you. Using a professional mortgage broker can save you a lot of time and stress.... Have a great day :) Like & Share

24.01.2022 Looking to get approved for a home loan? But ... Started a new job? Short term casual employment? Commission Income? Bonus income?... No problem... we know which lenders will approve you! Message me now to give you a professional take on your situation.

24.01.2022 Like to know how much you can borrow? Message me today to get your free borrowing capacity report!

24.01.2022 Spend 10 minutes on the phone with me to see if you could save $250 or more per month OFF your home loan repayments. Private message me now for a free loan comparison!

23.01.2022 Did you know if a home loan interest rate varies by 0.5% (on a $350K loan), thats a saving of $41,875.00 over the life of the loan? My free loan comparison service tells you how much you could save! Message me for a free check up today! PM me...

22.01.2022 Sharing a little bit of motivation for the day

21.01.2022 5 Ways To Tell If You Found The Right House Youve seen a lot of homes lately. You have been out every weekend searching for the right home for you. At this point, you might not be sure its even out there, or if it is, you might not find it. Then you drive up to a home that gives you hope. At this point, however, how can you tell if it is the right house for you? Here are 5 sure signs that youve found the right house:... 1. You feel excited. Just as your first love might have given you knots in your stomach, the right home could as well. You start to imagine a life in the home and its exciting. 2. You overlook the flaws. You are realistically seeing the negative aspects of the home and are willing to overlook them. Maybe you wanted a view and this home doesnt have one. But the beautiful kitchen remodel and spacious landscaped yard make up for that. 3. It doesnt have your deal breakers. You should never compromise on the real deal breakers in your criteria. That might be tempting if the master bathroom is perfect, but if you have to have 4 bedrooms and this is really just a 3 bedroom, youll regret buying the home. 4. It fits your overall criteria. The home is located in the school district, city or neighbourhood you want. The larger lifestyle aspects line up with the home. 5. You can afford it. So important! There is no reason to go see homes you truly cant afford, but it happens. The right home is in your budget. Of course there are many more aspects which goes into knowing if the home is the right home for you and your family. One of the best ways to know youve found the right home is how badly you want the house. Once youve left the showing have you compared all other houses to this one? Do you talk about it, think about it? Can you imagine yourself in the home? If so, youve found the right one. So if youve found the right home, write that offer! Dont let it get away!

21.01.2022 Looking to invest in property to create wealth, security & freedom? Sometimes you need to be creative to find the right solution! Private message me to set up a meeting to explore your options. (well cover your borrowing capacity, loan structuring, property options, repayment options, rates etc)

21.01.2022 Upgrading Your Home Before Selling? Most people have walked through beautiful model homes and wished their own home had all those modern features. Model homes showcase the latest in upgrades and decorating styles. When we get home all we can see is the tile in our bathrooms and yesterdays details in our kitchens. These things can become overwhelming if we are considering a home sale in the near future. Can I even sell my house with granite countertops anymore?... Before you grab the sledge hammer and plan a DIY weekend of expanding your family room, take a breath. Your home doesnt need to be the latest and greatest to fetch top dollar in the resale market. As you evaluate making changes to your home prior to listing it for sale, the first thing you should do is talk with your real estate agent. They have market experience which allows them to speak with you about how your home compares to others in your area. They work with buyers and sellers every day and know what features and upgrades are top sellersand which dont matter at all. While the urban modern home in the magazine looks great, changing the details in your country house into industrial loft style is not an improvement. Some improvements do translate to better sales price in every case. Outdated wallpaper, dirty and worn carpet and dark rooms can always use improvement. New or cleaned carpet and a fresh coat of paint, coupled with light bright lighting, will really showcase the best features of your home. Each neighbourhood is different. As you work with your agent, you might find that there are upgrades which will net you a significantly higher sales price. For instance, if you are located in a high end, luxury neighborhood, those buyers expect updated kitchens and bathrooms and you might want to put some money into those rooms to market your home in the top end of the market. But again, talk with your agent before you guess. You dont want to spend thousands of dollars in upgrades that your buyers dont care aboutor worse. dont want.

20.01.2022 Tip: Dont just repay the minimum on your credit card every month! Doing so may take 20+ years to pay it off. Instead, create your own plan e.g. Say you decide to pay your credit card off in one year. Take the balance and divide it by twelve. Take that figure and set automatic monthly transfers from your savings account to get rid of that credit card debt quickly.

19.01.2022 First Home Buyer Cheat Sheet: 10 Tips To Buying Your First Home So youre going to take the plunge into real estate ownership. Congratulations! Youve just made a smart decision in securing your financial future....Continue reading

19.01.2022 hope. dream. wish. live. laugh. love. breathe...

18.01.2022 Did you know that your borrowing capacity can vary by over $200,000 + depending on which lender you use ... So if your current lender isnt giving you the funds you need - get a 2nd opinion ... you may just get the loan you want with better terms ...

18.01.2022 Would you like to shave 10 years off your mortgage? How much interest could this save you? Its not rocket science, its simply a matter of making more repayments more often and making sure youve got the best mortgage for your situation. Of the millions of homeowners, only some are getting out from under mortgage payments years, sometimes decades, before their neighbours. How?...Continue reading

18.01.2022 How to choose the right property for you Your home is perhaps the biggest investment of your life particularly as it is not just a financial investment, you are also investing in your future lifestyle. Yet many people have a tendency to fall in love with a particular property, and they forget to remain logical in their thinking. As a result, they find themselves owning a property that does not suit their current lifestyle or their future financial plans. So how do you cho...ose the right property for you? Find a property that fits your real-life needs, not your dream lifestyle You might have fantasies of living by the beach or in a small inner-city unit within walking distance of all the pubs and cafes, but how will this choice fit your budget and your long-term lifestyle? Your first home should fall within your budget and it should be compatible with your work and family life. There is no point purchasing a dream property that requires a two-hour commute to work or takes up all your spare money reducing your quality of life. Is it a good investment for you? Investigate the economic possibilities of the location and the property itself to see how it will appreciate over time. Also consider how the property will grow alongside your lifestyle choices perhaps you want to flip the investment property by doing a few renovations and selling for a profit, or perhaps you want to live for a few years in a small house before extending the property to make room for a family. Whatever your plans, your property is an investment tool that you can use to provide for your future. Is the property value accurate? If you fall in love with a particular property, you may trick yourself into wanting to spend more than necessary just to win it. However, it is important to check that you are paying what the property is actually worth. Look at the purchase history of the property and neighbouring properties to see how their value has appreciated, and how much they are all perceived to be worth now. Consider what needs to be done to the property in terms of renovations or repairs in order to make it right for your purposes. Will you need a home loan? Before you commit to a property, look carefully into the financial aspect of the deal. Find out how much you will need to borrow in order to secure the property, and whether you can still maintain your quality of life while paying off the loan. If you need assistance working out how to find the right property for your lifestyle and budget talk to us today

18.01.2022 Top Property Investment Mistakes 1. Emotional investment When you are choosing an investment property, there is no such thing as love at first sight. If you make an emotional investment before you have done your research into the location and the rental potential, you are at risk of making an extremely expensive mistake. Investors who let emotion rule their decision-making are far more likely to over-capitalise from the beginning, making it even more challenging to ensur...Continue reading

17.01.2022 What is a repayment holiday? Exactly that... a period of time where you dont make any repayments on your home loan. Usually its a time when your financial situation changes... for example maternity leave, and therefore there is a period of reduced income.... Of course there can be other reasons too.. such as redundancies, illness etc... In any of those cases... rather than falling behind on your repayments, its critical that you speak with your bank or broker to get some early advice to make sure you work with your lender to find an appropriate solution. Feel free to click the message button if you need any information around taking a break from your home loan repayments.

14.01.2022 Did You Know - the Earth weighs 6,588,000,000,000,000,000 tons

13.01.2022 Sell or buy first? Which option is right for you? Its the ultimate dilemma for any home owner planning to move on to a new property do I sell or buy first? You dont want to sell unless you have somewhere else to live, but you dont want to buy unless you have the money from the original home. Whichever way you go, there will be some stress involved, so its important to look at the pros and cons of each option to decide which is the most suitable and practical for your ...Continue reading

13.01.2022 Tip: Did you know you can split your home loan e.g. have one half as a variable rate home loan and the other half fixed... giving you the best of both worlds - flexibility and security! (To ascertain if this strategy is appropriate for you, click the message button above for a professional take on your situation)

12.01.2022 => Top ten tips for first home buyers It is a long journey from saving up the first deposit to actually owning your own home, but it is certainly a rewarding one! Your first property is an important financial and emotional investment into your future, so you want to make the most of every opportunity to make your dream home a reality. 1. Start budgeting like a home owner...Continue reading

11.01.2022 Top tips for young property investors It is possible for people to launch into the property investment market in their early twenties in fact, this is a great time to start, when you are first launching into your career and dont yet have any other financial responsibilities such as a family to support. However, buying an investment property can never be an impulse decision it takes self-discipline and applied knowledge to start building a profitable investment propert...y portfolio. Set a budget and save The first step of course is to start saving for your first deposit, which is usually at least 20% of the purchase price (can be lower, check with your broker). You will need to be focused and realistic, and quite single minded in order to save a sufficient amount. Your best option is to set a budget and create a clear financial plan that will help you remain focused and prepared once you do buy your first property. Think long term While some of your peers will be looking into short term gratification visiting pubs and night clubs, booking overseas holidays or buying a new car - you need to establish a mind-set that focuses on the long term rewards of building your investment portfolio. Learn from the experts While you are saving your deposit, take this time to educate yourself about the property investment market and the best type of property for your first investment. Read articles about property investment and monitor the real estate section of your local newspaper, so you can build a vision of an affordable and profitable investment property. Consult local agents and mortgage brokers as soon as possible so they can offer their insight into the market. Seek advice from a professional accountant, who can oversee your savings plan and advise you on your first home loan. Consider a family guarantee If you have the option, you could ask a family member to act as guarantor of your bank loan. The guarantor allows the equity in their property to act as additional security for your home loan. This strategy could potentially reduce the amount of deposit you need to save. You can split the loan into two portions, so your guarantor is only guaranteeing one portion of the loan. That way, you can pay off that portion first, so you can release your guarantor from the agreement as soon as possible. Invest, dont gamble Gambling is a game of chance where you can hope to win big but you are perhaps more likely to lose it all. Investment is based on knowledge and experience, so you make decisions that will be profitable in the long term. Learn everything you can about the property and the market, so you can make objective, beneficial decisions.

10.01.2022 Is this your bank? Then its time to take advantage of our Free Loan Comparison Service. Some clients discovered saving $300+ per month by switching to a better deal. Private message me today to see how much you could save by switching.

10.01.2022 Whats your best tip for staying out of debt?

08.01.2022 "You dont always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens"

08.01.2022 A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected theyd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, "The absolute weight doesnt matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, its not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, ...Ill have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesnt change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed incapable of doing anything." Remember to put the glass down

06.01.2022 How to maintain a good credit score When you are applying for a loan, the first thing lenders will do is check your credit score and this will have a strong impact on their ultimate decision. So what is your credit score and how do you maintain a good score that will impress lenders? The five elements of your credit score...Continue reading

05.01.2022 Why do banks and agents value your home differently? Have you ever wondered why your lender will give you one value for a house while the real estate agent has said something completely different? How do you know the real value of a property when everyone is giving different quotes? ... The difference in the two valuations is due to the lender and the agent assessing different aspects of the propertys value the lender is looking at how much to comfortably lend you in relation to the cost of the property, while the agent is looking for a sale price. Bank valuations vs market valuation The propertys market value is the estimated amount for which the property should fetch on the date of valuation, assuming a buyer and seller were to enter willingly into a sales transaction. The bank valuation is the amount that the lender is prepared to lend against the property. How is the bank valuation made? The bank or lender appoints a valuer to independently verify the value of the property. As the property is the asset providing security for the loan, the bank valuation generally tends to be more subjective and conservative, to protect the lender financially in case you cannot pay your mortgage and the property must be sold to cover your debt. While the bank valuation is based on extensive research into comparable properties, it will be lowered when the buyer is borrowing more this is a way for the bank to balance its risk. The banks valuer can potentially be held liable if the bank suffers financial loss, so they prefer to make a safer more conservative estimate. The valuer can also advise the bank to refuse the finance application if they believe the buyer has paid too much for the property. Not happy with the bank valuation? If you are dissatisfied with the bank valuation of your chosen property, you have two options request a reassessment of the valuation; or cancel your finance application and start again with another lender. The bank will only do a reassessment if you can provide evidence that comparable properties reflect a higher value than their valuation. You should also check that the market valuation reflects the true market price of a comparable property, as you may find that the seller has overpriced the property. You can hire an independent valuation company to make a market valuation of the property. How is the market appraisal made? The market opinion is assessed by a real estate agent, and establishes the asking price for the home. The agent has a different agenda than the banks representative they want to value the property to achieve the highest possible price in the sale. However, they do need to work realistically within the parameters of recent sales and real estate activity in the area. The vendor can receive valuations from several agents when deciding which agent to appoint to sell the property. Whether you are buying or selling, contact us today if you want independent advice about your property.

04.01.2022 How to calculate your borrowing power One of the most important factors in your home ownership journey is the amount of money you can or should borrow. You want to borrow enough that you can purchase the right property for your needs, yet you dont want to end up out of your depth in debt. Most lenders rely on their own variation of a basic formula to calculate your borrowing power. They look at six elements of your financial situation gross income, tax, existing commitme...Continue reading

03.01.2022 "Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass... Its about learning to dance in the rain."

03.01.2022 Tip: Paying an extra $20 per week off your home loan cuts 3 years and 2 weeks off your mortgage. Its time to log onto your online banking and increase your weekly mortgage repayment today... youll be glad you did! (*example based on a $350,000 loan at 6% average rate)

02.01.2022 Should you sell or buy first? Youre ready to sell your old house and purchase a new home but the big question is: do you sell first or buy first? Whichever one you tick off first, you face the risk of some kind of limbo. The state of the market and your own financial situation can help determine the right procedure for your circumstances. Pros and cons of buying first ... Buying your next property before you sell your previous home gives you the luxury of choosing the property that suits you best and moving house comfortably within your own timeframe. If you purchase early enough, you can move your furniture into the new home, leaving the property on the market uncluttered and available for potential buyers to view. However, this strategy only works if you are in a strong financial position and can afford to hold out for the assets from your previous home. Its also beneficial if the market indicates that your home will sell quickly. Alternately, you might find it financially beneficial to rent out the original property, making some income from the old home while you settle into your new home. If the first property takes a long time to sell, you could find yourself juggling two mortgages. Bridging finance can help smooth the way if your previous home takes longer to sell than expected. Another financial hazard is if your first home sells for considerably less than expected. Pros and cons of selling first Selling your home before purchasing another property is definitely the most financially prudent strategy. Your funds are available and you know your exact budget for the next property purchase. The stress of selling first lies in the pressure of finding a suitable property to purchase before you lose access to your previous home. House-hunting while your property is on the market can be discouraging because you may see the perfect property sell before you have the funds to make an offer. Once you have sold, the pressure of a short settlement period can result in a hasty ill-considered purchase. Renting in between One option to ease the stress is to rent for the period in between putting your house on the market and purchasing your new home. This gives you at least six months flexibility to sell your home and then search for the perfect property without any anxiety about potentially finding yourself homeless. In order to figure out whether this is the right option for your situation, you need to include the cost of rent for at least six months into your calculations. Even if you do purchase immediately after your sale, you will be required to continue paying rent for the duration of the lease. Seek expert advice An expert such as a mortgage broker can help you make an informed decision by giving you some insight into the current market. You can base your decision on whether your home is projected to sell quickly or slowly, along with your options for purchasing a suitable new property within the desired time frame.

02.01.2022 Top Six Reasons why your home loan might be declined Youre ready to buy a home, but you cant find a lender who will approve your home loan. While this might seem discouraging and frustrating, it is not necessarily the end of your dream to become a home owner. Once you know the reason that you are considered a bad risk, you can improve your eligibility. Usually, it just takes a little more time and to improve your eligibility. Here are the top six reasons lenders might decl...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Dont let this happen to you! Get a broker to find the right loan & get approved. Message me to give you a professional take on your situation.

01.01.2022 Quick tips for working out a propertys market value When you are searching for the perfect property, it can be challenging to work out exactly how much you should be paying. Rather than relying completely on the word of others, you can develop your own strategy for valuing a property, so you have a better independent idea of how much it is really worth. 1. Make a comparison search... Property sales are in the public domain, so you can research your chosen area and make a list of five comparable properties that have sold within the last six months. To ensure the properties are comparable, make sure they are within a kilometre of your target property, and that they have similar features, such as the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms and car spaces, and a similar land size. Also make a note if any property has additional features such as a pool, or whether it is more conveniently located in relation to amenities such as schools and transport. Do not include properties that have not yet sold, as the advertised price is not a true indication of how it will sell. 2. Rank your list Once you have a short list of comparable properties including the one you are planning to sell or buy, rank each property in order from Most Desirable to Least Desirable. Try to be objective in this exercise, looking at the land size and location, rather than whether you prefer one garden to another. Proximity to schools is a plus if you are valuing a three or four bedroom home, but less of a concern for a one or two bedroom home. Buyers tend to be drawn to properties with newly renovated kitchens and bathrooms, so keep this in mind when ranking your properties. Your ranking from most to least desirable might not tally with the ranking from most to least expensive this will give you an idea of what features are important to people buying into the area. 3. Adjust for market movements Now you have placed your target property within a list of five comparable properties so you can see where it stands in the price range between the most expensive and least expensive properties. However, the market may have shifted within the last six months from hot to cold or back again, since the first property was sold, so you will need to adjust for current market conditions. Once you have adjusted, you should have a clear idea of how much your target property is currently worth, based on its place in your ranking list. 4. Check your figures You can back up your research by checking the median house price for the suburb in question. The Domain real estate website will also show the discounting percentage for a specific area, which is the average discount below the agreed listing price. For example if a house listed at $1 million sold for $900,000, then the discounting percentage is 10%. Contact us today if you need assistance assessing the value of a particular property.

01.01.2022 What is a split home loan? Its simply dividing your home loan into two or more loans. For example, lets say you have a $200,000 home loan. You could divide your loan into one portion being $150,000 and the other $50,000.... Why would you do that? It can protect you against rate fluctuations if you, as per in this example, say fix the $150,000 for three years and keep the other $50,000 portion variable with a 100% offset account. Simple strategies like this can give you security in the home loan market whilst at the same time keeping the flexibility of making extra repayments and redraw with the variable portion. There are a lot of different options with split loans and every situation is different depending on the clients needs. Click the Message button above if youd like a professional take on your situation to see if a split loan would be appropriate for you.