Jason Herft in Narre Warren, Victoria | Credit counselling service

Jason Herft

Locality: Narre Warren, Victoria

Phone: +61 421 749 685

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• Financial service
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• Credit counselling service

25.01.2022 How To Make An Offer In Writing To Buy A Property Here is an email template you can use to make an offer on a property you are interested in buying. ======EMAIL OFFER TEMPLATE======... To whom it may concern, I would like to make an offer on _______St ______ for $.. My preferred settlement time would be Weeks. This offer is subject to finance approval, my solicitor reviewing the contract and any Strata reports and or building and pest inspections I may carry out. ======= EMAIL OFFER TEMPLATE====== Best of luck... and if you need any ideas on finance, 2nd opinion or a pre-approval to go shopping... message me today for a complimentary chat.

24.01.2022 What Is An Equity Line Of Credit? These loans are a great way to access the equity in your home to use for things like home renovations, investments or other personal purchases. Repayments on a line of credit loan are determined by the interest rate applicable at that time. If you have sufficient equity in your home, you will need to make a separate application for a line of credit loan. You have the added advantage of being able to make unlimited deposits / repayments as you... repayments are not set. You must check the conditions of these loans as they are sometimes more expensive than standard products. A line of credit is also a popular product with property investors as it gives them instant access for a cash deposit, and the ability to keep their properties separate from each other i.e. not cross secured. Think of it like a gigantic credit card with a limit. So planning and caution is strongly advised. For more information please click the 'Message' tab at the top to request a specialist finance broker to call you. We start with a review on your current situation, answer any of your questions and explore any opportunities available to save you money and/or invest.

23.01.2022 Melbournes biggest property downturn since the 1980s appears to be at an end.

23.01.2022 How To Combat ATM Fee Charges CONSUMERS who use ATMs not owned by their own banks paid $660 million in mostly unnecessary fees. A large chunk of this money could be kept in peoples pockets with some good planning and budgeting.... The fees, known as foreign ATM fees, are those charged by the ATM operator when consumers use an ATM that does not belong to their own bank, or is not in a network arrangement with their bank. The fees usually average $2 or more. The Australian Bankers Association says 40 per cent of all ATM transactions in 2011 were done at a foreign ATM. That figure is likely to be the same today. Its no different from going to a shop and buying a coffee youre purchasing a service from someone, says the ABAs chief executive, Steven Munchenberg. You are paying for the convenience. He says the best way to avoid these fees is planning and to be aware of where your own banks ATMs are located. You can also get cash out with Eftpos transactions, particularly at the supermarket. Munchenberg says for people who may not always have easy access to their own banks ATMs such as those in outer suburban or regional areas, the answer is to avoid making lots of small transactions. Legislative changes introduced in 2009 meant ATM customers had to be notified of the foreign ATM fee on the machines screen before the transaction was completed, and since then transactions at foreign ATMs have fallen. Many financial institutions now offer free ATM locator applications for smartphones. Source: news.com.au

23.01.2022 Which is better? Plan A - Buy a home Or Plan B - Buy an investment property and rent

23.01.2022 Did you know that just because one lender rejects you doesn't mean another won't 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

23.01.2022 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

22.01.2022 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.

21.01.2022 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

21.01.2022 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 What Is A Mortgage Offset Account? An offset account is a transaction account that can be linked to your home or investment loan. The credit balance of your transaction account is offset daily against your outstanding loan balance, reducing the interest payable on that loan. Offset accounts enable you to make the most of your income and other funds to reduce the interest payable on your home loan, thereby reducing your loan term.... How an offset account can work for you: A customer with a $150,000 home loan over 30 years would pay approximately $167,190 in interest. If the customer had an offset account linked to the home loan for the entire loan term with a constant balance of $10,000 in it, they would pay the loan off in 26 years and 4 months and pay just approximately $127,553 in interest. This represents a saving of three years and eight months and approximately $38,636.95 in interest. Please note: These figures are based on a Standard Variable Rate of 7.36% p.a. We not only assist our clients with finding the right loan for their situation, but our post settlement service is second to none. Post settlement we help our clients and show them how to correctly set up their banks accounts and how to link them the right way with their loan accounts. Click the message button above and ask us which lender is offering the right loan for your situation! (We have access to all the major banks and many other leading lenders)

19.01.2022 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.

19.01.2022 What's A Better Strategy To Access Equity: Take Out A Line Of Credit Or Just Top Up A Loan? [Long Blog Educational Status Update]: Lines of credit can be very useful; however, you need to be careful regarding an evergreen set-up in which no repayments are needed and the interest is added on to the loan....Continue reading

18.01.2022 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

17.01.2022 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

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.

14.01.2022 What is a repayment holiday? Exactly that... a period of time where you don't make any repayments on your home loan. Usually it's 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, it's 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.

10.01.2022 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.

10.01.2022 How Do I Pay Off My Mortgage Sooner? Pay more, more often. Want to pay off your mortgage early? Then make bigger mortgage repayments, more frequently. Youll own your own home sooner and save a bundle on interest. E.g. paying an extra $10 per week on a $350,000 home loan (@7% average) saves nearly two years off your mortgage and $34,382.65 in interested expenses ... Act now you pay most interest up front Most mortgages are structured so that you pay off most of the interest in the early years. If you are serious about wanting to reduce the interest you pay on your Home Loan, youll act now. Get rid of car loans and credit card debt Youre generally paying a higher interest rate on small loans (e.g. a car) and your credit cards so it makes sense to eliminate those debts first. So, put a rein on your credit card usage and then tackle your mortgage. Make sure youre paying off the right mortgage When you entered the mortgage market, you might not have been as well informed as you are now. Or the market might not have been as competitive. Stay in close contact with with us to stay informed you have the right loan. I can can let you know if there is a new home loan product that will save you money over the term of the mortgage. Flexible mortgages Most debt-retirement strategies depend on you being able to pay off more of your mortgage sooner. Read the fine print or talk to us to see if you have the flexibility you need to reduce your interest charges. Pay more and pay often Assuming you have a mortgage that lets you pay extra, you should pay more and pay often. The interest charged on a $ 300,000 home loan at a rate of 7.15% over 30 years with monthly repayments is over $420,000. By paying off an additional $50 a month, youll reduce the interest bill by $39,000 and your loan term by 2 years and 4 months. You could look at making repayments weekly or fortnightly rather than monthly. Over 30 years the savings add up. To learn more, talk to us today today. Information source: MFAA

09.01.2022 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 ...

09.01.2022 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.

08.01.2022 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

08.01.2022 Did you know that you can obtain a home loan even though you are in a probation period with your work?

07.01.2022 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!

06.01.2022 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 buildings 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, its 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 youre 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, its 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 buildings paths can provide an entry point for termites. Source: Association of Building Consultants

06.01.2022 How to narrow down what you want in a home Before you can find the perfect home, you need to know exactly what you are looking for and as you may come across desirable homes that include only a few of the features on your list, you need to know which features are the most important to you. As a further complication, you will generally be working on this list with your spouse or partner, who may have different priorities to you! So how do you work out what you are looking ...Continue reading

06.01.2022 => 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

04.01.2022 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

04.01.2022 Tip: Watch your credit card limit! Even if your balance is zero, the higher your limit the lower your borrowing capacity.

03.01.2022 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)

03.01.2022 What's your best tip for staying out of debt?

02.01.2022 End of 2018 is coming. Do you require additional funds to plan for your holidays, complete some home renovation, or upgrade your car? Hope Finance can help you apply for a personal loan up to $40,000. ... Call Jason on 0421749685.

02.01.2022 What Are Genuine Savings? Get approved today Genuine Savings For A Home Loan Deposit Explained Just when you thought that you could get the best home loan deal by simply having a lump sum of cash, you might have to think again. Not all cash deposits are acceptable in applying for a home or investment loan when your deposit is less than 20% of the purchase price.... These days you can obtain a home loan with as little as a 5% deposit. That means a bank can lend you up to 95% of the purchase price. If you are considering applying for a home loan with a deposit that is less than 20% of the purchase price then here are some of the things that you need to know. At least 5% of your deposit needs to be made up of genuine savings. 1. What exactly are genuine savings? These are savings that are held or accumulated in a savings account for at least three months. 2. What other assets might be considered as genuine savings? Other assets that can be considered as genuine savings are term deposits, shares, and equity in property that are held for at least three months. If you have any debts, e.g. a personal loan, and you have been paying extra off your debt above the minimum requirement, you can use this extra repayment towards your genuine savings calculation. If you are currently renting for 12 months or more through a Real Estate agent, you may be able to use those rent payments towards your genuine savings calculation as well. Please contact us to discuss your personal circumstances to see if you qualify. 3. What does not qualify as genuine savings? Gifts from parents Tax refunds Income Bonuses Inheritance money Cash kept at home If any of these apply, we recommend that you place those funds into a personal savings account and hold them there for three months to qualify. 4. How much do I need for a home loan deposit? You can obtain a home loan with as little as a 5% deposit. The major lenders may provide a mortgage up to 95% of the value of the property. In some instances you may be able to borrow the whole amount, contact us to see if you qualify. 5. Can I buy a property if I dont have genuine savings? We have access to lenders where you can borrow up to 95% of the purchase price without having genuine savings. Of course you still need to come up with at least a 5% deposit plus funds to complete (stamp duty, legal costs etc). Contact us today, simply click the 'Message' button above and our home loan specialists will answer all your questions and assist you with finding the right home loan for your situation.

01.01.2022 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

01.01.2022 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 doesnt cost more than 10% of the propertys 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 familys 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 dont 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 neighbours 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.

01.01.2022 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.