HLGCoffsHarbour | Property

HLGCoffsHarbour

Phone: +61 427 593 594

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Property
• Businesses
• Mortgage brokers

24.01.2022 Pros and cons of a reverse mortgage A reverse mortgage allows a home owner aged over 62 to borrow against their home’s equity while still maintaining ownership of the home. You can receive a lump sum or regular payments, and the loan is due to be repaid when you die, sell the residence or move permanently from the residence. The amount of the loan will depend on the value of your home, current interest rates and your age the older you are, the more you will be entitled to b...orrow. So what are the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage? And what factors do you need to take into account if you are considering this option? PRO A great source of retirement income Your home is your largest personal asset, and you can channel this asset through regular payments. If you are on a small fixed income through your pension, it can make sense to release some additional income through this asset. CON Value of your property is reduced As these payments are being made from the equity in your home, so you gradually lose equity in the property. This means that your heirs will inherit a property of reduced value when you die. Alternately, if you need to sell the home to move elsewhere (such as into an aged care facility) you will need to repay the loan while still having enough equity to fund your next home. PRO No monthly mortgage repayments While you are living in the home you are only required to pay the costs of taxes and property maintenance. CON High fees Fees are usually higher than a traditional mortgage, further reducing the equity in your home. PRO You can continue living in the property and leave it to your heirs One of the myths about the reverse mortgage is that you can be evicted from the property if the loan exceeds the property value. This is not correct. You can live in the home for as long as you wish and still leave the home to your heirs but they become responsible for repaying the loan balance, either by refinancing through a traditional mortgage or selling the home. CON The loan is due when a maturity event occurs Maturity events include the death of the last surviving borrower, or when the home is no longer your principal residence or you vacate the property for more than 12 months. It will also become due if you fail to maintain the property or fail to pay the relevant taxes or insurance. This means that the loan could become due during a crisis time for your family when you actually need financial resources rather than having to confront a huge loan repayment. While a reverse mortgage can be a fantastic option for some retirees, it is not for everybody and you should never embark on this type of financial commitment without independent advice. Contact us today if you wish to discuss whether a reverse mortgage is the right option for you.

23.01.2022 Last Friday, APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) has announced it will proceed with proposed changes to its guidance on how lenders have to assess borrowers’ ability to meet repayments on residential mortgage loans. In the past, the guide was that a borrower had to be able to service a loan at an interest rate of 7.25% or 2.5% above the actual rate, whichever was the higher. With ever decreasing interest rates, this has meant that the gap between the actual ...rate and the assessment rate was getting wider all the time. Now, APRA has abolished the 7.25% guide. This should mean that if you borrow at a rate of 3.75%, very realistic at the moment, you should be assessed as being able to service a loan at 6.25%. This will increase your capacity to quite substantially. Individual lenders are yet to announce how they will apply the new guide. Want to know how much you can borrow? Why don’t you message or call us. See more

16.01.2022 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.

16.01.2022 Why you should choose a mortgage broker over a bank For most people looking for a home loan, the choice is simple just head to the nearest bank and see what is available. On the surface, this seems like convenient and straightforward option, so why look for a mortgage broker when the bank is right there on the main street? Here are three things a mortgage broker will offer you that your bank won’t:... 1. Choice When you visit your bank manager to talk about a bank loan, the manager is going to offer you their latest products. The manager isn’t going to tell you that a rival bank has an offer more closely streamlined to your circumstances. And a year down the track, the manager won’t reward your loyalty by suggesting a new option tailored to your current circumstances. However, your mortgage broker has access to products from countless banks and lenders, so they will find the one that is most suited to your requirements. When your circumstances change, as you pay off your loan, your broker can suggest a different package. 2. Specialized assistance Bank employees are in the business of promoting the bank’s services which includes securing your loan. Every lender has their own method for approving or declining a bank loan, and you can waste a great deal of time trying to provide the correct application. Your broker already has an inside knowledge of how each bank assesses an application, so you have a better chance of being approved first time around. Your broker can also negotiate with the bank for policy exceptions to tailor the package to your individual specifications. You can also choose a broker who specializes in your particular loan requirements. For example, if you are purchasing a property investment, you will need a broker who understands all the financial issues of that type of loan. 3. Administrative support The mortgage broker will manage all the paperwork on your behalf and follow up with the lender, keeping you updated on the progress of the application. This saves you time and a great deal of stress, while providing you with one point of contact throughout the business of securing the loan. Ultimately, your mortgage broker is saving you both time and money by simplifying the loan application process and ensuring that you find the loan package most suited to the size of your deposit and your ability to make repayments. Contact us today if you want personalized advice about how to complete the loan application process and find the right loan package for your needs.

16.01.2022 Tips to pay off your mortgage sooner Your home loan is probably the biggest financial investment you will make, and you want it to give you a sense of security rather than stress. While paying off your home loan might seem a formidable task, there are ways you can reduce your mortgage, and thereby reducing the interest you pay overall. Make your home loan your priority...Continue reading

15.01.2022 Understanding the buying and loan process Purchasing a new home or an investment property can be a daunting prospect, and you might find it difficult to identify the first logical step. Here we look at the process of securing a loan so you can buy the property that suits your needs and your budget. Ask yourself what you want to achieve...Continue reading

12.01.2022 Prevent A Nasty Property Surprise [Educational Blog Status Update]: HOMEBUYERS and real estate investors are being warned to watch out for the hidden traps that may be lurking in their potential purchases.... Leaky showers, cracked ceilings and self-opening doors and among the signs pointing to bigger and more costly nasty surprises, the Association of Building Consultants says. Spokesman Chris Short says understanding a building’s condition and the likelihood of future repairs is vital when assessing a property purchase and managing a mortgage. Many homes are tidied up for sale, with the pre-sale spruce ranging from a basic clean through to bogging cracks, repainting, retiling and re-grouting, and even new floor coverings, Short says. The makeover might look good, but it also masks what might be more sinister problems such as termite damage, salt damp, structural issues, unlicensed and dangerous electrical work, and more. For example, a leaky shower might seem harmless on the surface but if the leak is allowing water to flow into the soil next to your home, it’s likely to attract termites. Short says building inspections can be particularly valuable for investors who will not be living in the property they buy. You need to know it well so that you’re clear about urgent maintenance requirements to meet your obligations as a landlord such as ensuring smoke alarms are hardwired and the cost of long-term maintenance, he says. Property academic and author Peter Koulizos says beginners should always consider a building inspection. He adds to make sure the report is a written one, rather than a verbal agreement. Some of my students have been able to negotiate the contract down by the repair amount or they have just pulled out, he says. Koulizos says when entering any property, potential buyers should take in a deep breath. If there is a musty smell, it’s a sign of salt damp, he says. Another thing to check is the perimeter of the house and make sure there are paths surrounding it. You can minimise cracking by keeping the moisture content of the soil fairly constant, Koulizos says. Paths around homes are not just there for decoration. HIDING A BIGGER PROBLEM? * Cracks in ceilings and walls are hallmarks of footings sinking or rising, which causes the walls to flex. * Other signs are doors out of square in their frames, self-closing and self-opening doors. * Leaking hot water services, rainwater tanks and airconditioning pipes can create moisture that attracts termites. * New floor tiles installed over old tiles can trap moisture between the tile layers. * Cracked tiles and mould at the shower base and plaster bubbling on the wall in the room next to the bathroom are also signs of moisture. * Any repair work to the building’s paths can provide an entry point for termites. Source: Association of Building Consultants www.homeloanguru.com.au

12.01.2022 Pros and cons of debt consolidation with your mortgage If you are struggling to keep up with multiple credit repayments credit card, car loan and mortgage one option for simplifying the issue is to consolidate all the debts into your mortgage. However, there are also potential negative consequences for consolidating all your other debts with your home loan, so you should consider this strategy carefully and ask for independent advice before making a decision. So what are ...the pros and cons of debt consolidation with your mortgage? Pros Shifting from multiple payments to one payment When you consolidate your debt, you only need to make one regular payment, so your finances are more organized and you don’t have the stress of doling out minimum payments to multiple lenders. Once you have streamlined your repayment plan, you may even be able to increase the amount of that one repayment. Lower interest rate Multiple debts is equivalent to multiple interest rates, yet when you consolidate all these debts, you are only paying interest on one loan, which is generally at a lower rate than before. This is an automatic saving. With one interest rate and one regular payment, your monthly payment will probably be much lower than usual, giving you the option of increasing the amount of your regular repayment to get on top of the loan faster. Cons Reduces the equity in your home Unlike your car and the items you purchase with your credit card, your home is an investment which will appreciate in value. Your goal is to increase the equity in this asset for your own financial security. Yet when you combine your home loan with your other debts, you are reducing your equity without any increased value of assets to balance it out. Risking your secured loan Another difference between a mortgage and your other debts is that a mortgage is a secured debt if you can’t pay it, the lender can take something from you in lieu of the debt. In contrast, if you cannot make your credit card payments, it will affect your credit rating and your ability to get another credit card but it won’t have a significant impact on your overall security. Consolidation loans are also secured loans. When you consolidate all your debts into your home loan and then cannot manage to make the repayments, your home is at risk. More costly in the long term While your minimum monthly repayments may be reduced in the short term, your long term debt may be increased. For example, if your car loan was taken over a five year term and then consolidated into your 30 year home loan term, then the interest on the original car loan will actually be increased so you are ultimately paying more for your car. Debt consolidation can be a valuable tool for some borrowers, but can be difficult for others. Contact us today if you would like expert advice on whether debt consolidation is the right strategy for you.

12.01.2022 Tip: Watch your credit card limit! Even if your balance is zero, the higher your limit the lower your borrowing capacity. www.homeloanguru.com.au

11.01.2022 Is Debt Consolidation Right For You? A debt consolidation loan combines all your outstanding debts into one, so now you only have one debt at a reduced rate of interest and lower monthly payments than the combined cost of all the consolidated bills. If you have become overwhelmed with multiple debts and you are struggling to make minimum payments on any or all of them, rolling all these into one repayment can be easier and less stressful to manage. Another reason to consider ...a debt consolidation loan is if you want to focus on paying off a mortgage. By lumping all your other debts together, you can simplify repayments, and enjoy the benefits of a reduced interest rate. This gives you more funds to channel into your primary debt, increasing your equity. Reassess your current loans Before securing a debt consolidation loan, you could investigate whether switching your home loan would be beneficial. If you can find a home loan with lower interest and lower fees, you could channel the savings into repaying your debts. As your property is your primary asset, it is important to protect this asset while you reduce your debt. A credit card balance transfer where you move credit card balance from one card to another gives you access to a honeymoon period where the new card has lower interest for a certain time period. While this can be helpful if you can pay the debt off promptly, it can also aggravate the situation. Negotiating with individual creditors might help you buy some time or even reduce or cancel the debt. Double-check the figures Before signing off on a debt consolidation loan, check that this is actually the cheaper option. The loan is meant to reduce your overall costs and interest rate, so make sure this is the case. Avoid any honeymoon deals where the interest jumps drastically after a certain timeframe, as you don’t want to dig yourself deeper into unnecessary debt. Set up a budget You don’t want to start collecting additional debts on top of the consolidation loan, so stick with one credit card for emergencies and set some strict limits on your spending. Make it your priority to reduce this loan. If necessary, speak to a financial counselor to discuss any issues you have in relation to spending. Make regular repayments Just because the original creditors have stopped bothering you doesn’t mean the debt has been wiped clear. Focus on paying off the debt within a realistic and efficient timeframe with regular repayments. By reducing all your other debts, you can focus on paying off your home loan, as this increases your equity and improves your overall financial position. Talk to a financial adviser A good financial adviser can help you decide whether a debt consolidation loan is the right strategy for you. If you are determined to reduce your debt and increase your equity, debt consolidation can be an efficient and effective option. www.homeloanguru.com.au #debtconsolidation #loans

10.01.2022 Questions to ask your mortgage broker When you are going through the home loan and mortgage application process, your mortgage broker can help navigate you through all the paperwork and different loan options to find the right loan for you. While the process might seem overwhelming, you might not know which questions to ask. When you ask your mortgage broker the following questions, you will have a better grasp of why your broker selected this loan as the best fit for your ci...rcumstances. You also need to be confident that you feel this is the best loan for your circumstances, and if you have any concerns you can discuss these with your broker before signing on the dotted line. Do you have a license? A mortgage broker is required to have a current license in order to practice in the finance market, and this license should be displayed on their web page or in the office. Without a valid license, your mortgage broker is not qualified to give you advice on your mortgage. What can you offer me that the bank can’t offer? Amazingly, not all brokers have an answer to this! A good broker will explain their services thoroughly and these services should include finding the right loan package for you, then setting up the loan on your behalf. Their services should save you the time and stress of comparing loan packages for yourself and then organizing the loan directly. Which lenders are on your list? A good broker will have access to a wide range of lenders, from the largest established banks to the smaller lenders. The broker should also be experienced in interacting with all these lenders, so they know how each one determines a loan application and how long they take to give loan approval. With this experience and background, the broker will be able to give you accurate updates about the progress of your loan application. How do you determine that this loan is the most suitable for my needs? Your mortgage broker is legally obligated to find a home loan that is suited to your circumstances. Ask your broker to explain the thought process so you understand how they felt the features, rates and fees were right for your circumstances. For example, if you want the freedom to make overpayments on your loan, you need to ensure that your mortgage broker has chosen a loan that allows this without a penalty admin fee. How long will it take to process the loan? As mentioned above, different lenders have different procedures for processing loans, and some will take longer than others. Your mortgage broker should know how long it will take to process your loan application so you can work with a realistic timeframe while house-hunting. You don’t want the right house to slip through your fingers because your loan wasn’t approved on time! Contact us today if you are looking for expert guidance or advice on how to find the right home loan for you, whether it is for your existing property or your next purchase.

10.01.2022 Like to know how much you can borrow? Message me today to get your free borrowing capacity report! www.homeloanguru.com.au

10.01.2022 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

08.01.2022 Comparing commercial and residential property investment If you are looking for a sound real estate investment, look beyond the typical two bedroom apartment and consider expanding your portfolio with a commercial property. There are three types of commercial property office, retail and industrial. There are some significant differences between investing in commercial and residential real estate, each with a potential positive or negative impact on your investment....Continue reading

05.01.2022 How many do you follow?

05.01.2022 Top Five Reasons Why Your Loan Would Be Declined It can be extremely disheartening to have your loan application declined, especially if you already have a property in mind. The best response is to treat the rejection as a positive learning experience, and an opportunity to strengthen your financial position so your application will be successful next time. Here we look at some of the more common reasons your loan application would be declined and how you can turn the situati...Continue reading

05.01.2022 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 ... www.homeloanguru.com.au

04.01.2022 Like to know how much you can borrow? Message me today to get your free borrowing capacity report!

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?...Continue reading

03.01.2022 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 your ...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.