GC Finance Solutions in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Loan service

GC Finance Solutions

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 434 403 883

Address: Level 3, Collins Street Tower 3000 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.gcfinancesolutions.com.au/

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25.01.2022 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!

24.01.2022 => 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

23.01.2022 And it's a warp! Thank you for all your support in 2020. Bring on 2021!!!And it's a warp! Thank you for all your support in 2020. Bring on 2021!!!

21.01.2022 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 don’t 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, don’t 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.

20.01.2022 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)

19.01.2022 Sharing a little bit of motivation for the day

19.01.2022 Eight tips for New Australians wanting to purchase property If you are new to Australia and looking to establish a comfortable, settled life here, then sooner or later, you will naturally consider buying property, either as an investment or a home for your family. So there are a few things you need to do in preparation for your first property purchase. 1. Find steady employment...Continue reading

18.01.2022 How to ensure your renovation will increase your house value There are two main benefits to renovating your property firstly, you can make it more comfortable and compatible for your lifestyle; and secondly, you can increase the value of your home. The challenge is to find the right balance between these two benefits if you invest too much into renovations, you risk reducing the amount of profit you would make when you sell. So how do you strike the balance and turn you...r renovation into profit? The 10% rule One handy rule of thumb is to ensure your renovation doesn’t cost more than 10% of the property’s value. If you are planning an extensive renovation, do your research to make sure you are not over-capitalizing. If you are building a substantial extension on a family home, for example, you should regain the value through creating a home that suits your family’s needs for a considerable period of time. Keep it simple and contained The renovations that increase the value of a home are generally in the kitchen and bathroom. A future buyer wants to know that these rooms are up-to-date with relatively new fixtures and fittings. The garden is another selling point as potential buyers will be attracted to a healthy, well maintained garden. Take your renovations slowly, step by step, finishing one room before starting on another. This way, you can keep track of costs and also ensure that your house remains liveable rather than turning into a chaotic mess that will be finished one day! Check for council approval Before you dive into any renovations, make sure you have council approval. As part of the process, ask your neighbours to check over your plans before you start work. You don’t want the neighbours complaining that your renovation reduces the value or comfort of their home. Sometimes it just means repositioning a window that overlooks the neighbour’s yard, in order to keep everyone happy. Consider your financing Depending on your financial position, you could use your equity to finance the renovations, a combination of equity and savings, or you could take out a construction loan. In order to access the equity on your home loan, you need to ensure that the loan includes features such as redraw, line of credit and an offset account (this of course varies based on individual circumstances and needs). A construction loan is written against the renovated valuation of the property, and the lender interacts directly with the builder, making regular milestone payments and monitoring a schedule. Basically, your lender has a vested interest in ensuring your renovation increases the value of your home. If you need assistance working out the best way to finance your renovation and ensure it increases the value of your home, contact us today.

17.01.2022 Is this your bank? Then it's 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.

17.01.2022 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 don’t 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

17.01.2022 Haha love it... have a fab day Like & Share the laughter

17.01.2022 What is a split home loan? It's simply dividing your home loan into two or more loans. For example, let's 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 you'd like a professional take on your situation to see if a split loan would be appropriate for you.

15.01.2022 Tip: Paying an extra $20 per week off your home loan cuts 3 years and 2 weeks off your mortgage. It's time to log onto your online banking and increase your weekly mortgage repayment today... you'll be glad you did! (*example based on a $350,000 loan at 6% average rate)

15.01.2022 Tip: Don't 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.

15.01.2022 Which is better? Plan A - Buy a home Or Plan B - Buy an investment property and rent

15.01.2022 What's the best caption for this? :)

14.01.2022 Like to know how much you can borrow? Message me today to get your free borrowing capacity report!

12.01.2022 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 Connect’sProfessional Registers or call ASIC’s 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 broker’s 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 broker’s 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 doesn’t 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, broker’s 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 ASIC’s Infoline on 1300 300 630.

10.01.2022 Did you know a lot of home owners overpay on their mortgage? Could a better deal put an extra $250+ per month back into your pocket? We offer a free Loan Comparison Service to see if switching could save you hundreds per month. Private message me today to get a free loan comparison!

09.01.2022 How many do you follow?

05.01.2022 Did you know if a home loan interest rate varies by 0.5% (on a $350K loan), that's 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...

04.01.2022 Did you know that your borrowing capacity can vary by over $200,000 + depending on which lender you use ... So if your current lender isn't giving you the funds you need - get a 2nd opinion ... you may just get the loan you want with better terms ...

04.01.2022 A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd 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 doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, ...I'll 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 doesn't 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

03.01.2022 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

03.01.2022 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 property’s 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 property’s 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 bank’s 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 bank’s 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.

02.01.2022 What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

02.01.2022 The hazards of applying to multiple lenders It’s natural that when you are researching something as important as a home loan, you should do as much research and comparison shopping as possible. However, if you apply for a mortgage through several lenders at once, your vigilance could backfire. How multiple applications impact your credit score...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Five Reasons why you need a Mortgage Broker For most people, buying a home or an investment property are the biggest financial investments of their lives. A mortgage broker can help streamline the costly and confusing process, while saving you valuable time and money. Here’s how: ... Simplifying the home loan process While this is an overwhelming first-time experience for you, your mortgage broker can efficiently guide you through the entire process, from the application to the property settlement. With their assistance, you can handle all the complexities of paperwork and legal details. They can also give you the right advice to ensure your application is approved promptly. As a result, you have the peace of mind of delegating the process to an expert who will keep you informed every step of the way. Fast comparisons With so many banks and lenders offering different deals, it can be difficult to figure out which is the right loan for your situation. While a bank will only promote their own products, your mortgage broker has the experience and the contacts to compare a wide range of lenders and products, to identify the right package for you, based on your individual situation. They can decipher the financial jargon for you and explain the pros and cons of various home loan features, so you can confidently make an informed choice. Direct service As your mortgage broker regularly works with various lenders, the application process can be several days faster than going to a bank directly. Best of all, you are dealing with one point of contact, rather than whichever member of the bank’s credit team takes your call. This gives you the benefit of securing the loan features that are best for you, based on your circumstances. Better value from your property investment When an expert oversees your choice of loan, you reap the long-term benefits of better interest rates and the right flexibility for your personal situation. The right loan can take years off your mortgage while cutting down your interest payments. In comparison to the significant savings, the cost of a mortgage broker’s fee is negligible. In the US and UK, mortgage brokers charge around 1-2% of the total loan, while in Australia, mortgage brokers are paid by lenders so there is no cost to the client. Specialized assistance If your situation is a little more complex than a standard home purchase, a specialized mortgage broker can help you through the process. Whether you need assistance with property investing, commercial properties or a hobby farm, there is a mortgage broker who knows exactly how to help you. There are also mortgage brokers who specialize in assisting people with individual challenges that might deter lenders, such as bad credit, non-residential status or contract employment. For more information about securing the right loan for your circumstances, contact your mortgage broker today.

02.01.2022 Benefits of a mortgage offset account An offset account is a bank account linked to your home loan. Rather than accumulating interest within the account, the money in the offset account is offset daily against your mortgage, reducing the interest payable on your mortgage. For example, if you have $20,000 in your offset account and a mortgage of $400,000, you will only be charged interest on $380,000 rather than the full $400,000. This can drastically reduce the length of you...r mortgage and the amount you need to pay in the long term. Tax free interest As you are not earning compound interest from the money in the offset account, you are not liable to pay tax on that money. Instead you are increasing the equity in your property. Flexibility As the mortgage account is like any other transaction account, you can deposit and withdraw funds such as your salary without incurring access fees. As the offset amount is calculated daily, you can keep a lump sum in the account for emergencies while reducing interest on your loan. However, some lenders do place restrictions such as minimum transaction amounts and withdrawal fees which could end up costing more than the interest you save. Is the offset account for you? The people who benefit most from offset accounts are those who can keep a significant sum of money in an accessible account over the long term. If you are instinctively a saver, an offset account is preferable to having to pay tax on interest, as you are making significant gains through equity. It also gives you a flexible alternative to paying extra money directly into the mortgage, as you can still access the funds quickly and without penalty in case of emergency. Even having your salary deposited into your offset account ensures that for one day at least you will reduce the interest payable on your mortgage for that day. However, if you are only keeping a small minimum balance in the offset account, the interest savings will not be so significant. Talk to your mortgage broker or financial advisor about whether an offset account would be suited to your current circumstances. And before opening an offset account, make sure you are fully aware of any fees or conditions that may have a negative impact on the long term benefits. If you would like more information about how an offset account could work for you, contact us today for a personal appraisal.

01.01.2022 What’s the best time to purchase a second property? You are established in your home and ready to dabble in some investments, yet you are a little daunted by the responsibility of owning two properties. How do you know when conditions are right for you to purchase a second property? If you are like most one-property owners, you might visualize a few obstacles preventing you from purchasing a second property. So let’s look at some of these obstacles and see if there is a way ...around them. Don’t let market conditions dictate your decision Many buyers find themselves in limbo waiting until interest rates and housing prices are just right. While this is a positive opportunity to continue saving and build equity in your existing property, it can also be counter-productive if the ideal conditions never eventuate. Property investment is about long term capital growth, and you can only start that growth process once you make the purchase. An alternative to paying off existing property Property owners can also be inhibited from buying a second property because they are focused on paying off their existing home first. However, if you are looking at your property portfolio from the investment perspective, it is worth calculating your options here, as a second property can considerably increase your overall equity. While paying off your first home first may seem like the more secure option, investing that money into a second property can be more profitable, thereby increasing your financial security. Your own financial situation Ultimately, the best time to purchase your next property is when you are financially capable of managing a second mortgage. Ideally, you should have at least a 10% deposit available (plus closing costs), through cash or equity or a combination of both, with additional capital to cover any rise in interest rates, emergency maintenance or loss of income in between tenants. Talk to your mortgage broker to assess your options, so you know how to make best use of your equity, what sort of loan you can apply for, and how much the repayments should be to fit your budget and achieve your investment goals. A property with profit potential Besides capital, the other factor that signals the best time to buy is when you find a property within your budget with high and safe returns. Look for a property with great rental potential for its area, so you can be confident of a regular rental income. Property investment is never an impulsive decision it will take intensive research and budget calculation to find the property that covers all your bases. When you find that property and have the capital to cover your investment expenses, then you have narrowed down the right time to purchase your second property. Contact us today if you need advice or assistance in expanding your property portfolio.

01.01.2022 Did You Know - the Earth weighs 6,588,000,000,000,000,000 tons

01.01.2022 Did you know that you can obtain a home loan even though you are in a probation period with your work?

01.01.2022 Questions to ask your broker 1. What are your qualifications? Before discussing your own finances, check that the mortgage broker is fully qualified to give you professional guidance. As a minimum requirement, an Australian mortgage broker should have a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking, and they should operate under their own Australian Credit Licence (ACL) or as a credit representative under another entity’s ACL. ...Continue reading