Brokers help settle a record 7-in-10 new mortgages

Mortgage brokers have notched up a new personal best, with seven out of every 10 new mortgages settled thanks to their help! It’s a sure sign that mortgage brokers are delivering the goods when it comes to helping Australians move into their dream homes.

In the nine months to 31 March 2023 (while interest rates were rising), mortgage brokers helped settle more than 70% of all new residential home loans, according to the latest data from the MFAA.

It’s the first time ever that brokers have helped settle more than 70% of home loans over a three-month-plus period.

For context, just two years earlier brokers were helping settle between 50-60% of new home loans.

So why are more Aussie home buyers turning to mortgage brokers?

For starters, it looks like word is getting out about how much help we can provide when it comes to giving you an informed choice with your home loan.

And in this environment of higher interest rates, it’s important to be sure your home loan offers value.

With a wide network of lenders – including big banks, small banks and non-banks – brokers are well-placed to help you choose the loan that’s right for you.

It doesn’t end there, though. Here are five more reasons why Australians are turning to brokers for help.

1. Brokers do the legwork

There are hundreds of home loans to choose from. But who’s got the time to find a loan that suits your needs?

Your broker does.

Better still, your broker does a lot of the legwork, sorting the paperwork and supporting your loan application right through to settlement.

That lets you sit back, relax, and focus on moving into your new home.

2. We’re flexible

You’re busy, right? That’s why brokers offer flexible appointment times.

Want to chat after hours? No problemo.

Prefer to chat online rather than face-to-face? Can do.

It may seem like a minor benefit, but the flexibility brokers offer is a big deal when you’re flat out with work, family, or just busy house hunting.

3. Brokers provide tailored facts

Brokers provide clear details to help you make informed decisions.

From your borrowing power, to how much of a deposit you really need, and what your loan repayments will be under various scenarios, we’ll crunch the numbers based on your unique situation.

It takes the guesswork out of buying a home and lets you plan ahead.

4. No additional costs and a best interests duty

It often comes as a surprise that a broker’s home loan help comes at no cost to their clients. That’s because brokers are paid a commission by lenders.

Rest assured though that unlike the banks, we’re (happily) bound by a best interests duty that means we’ll always put your best interests first.

So while banks and digital lenders might try to tempt you with cashback offers for loan products that may not really be in your best interests (due to fees, high interest rates, and other undesirable loan terms), we’ll only ever try to match you up with lenders and loans that are in your best interests.

5. Brokers keep working for you over the long term

Chances are you’ll have your home loan for quite a few years.

We’ll be with you along the way to help make sure your home loan continues to be the right option for you, no matter how your life changes.

So call us today to see why more Australians than ever are partnering with a broker.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Revealed: the four cities tipped to be future property hotspots

No matter whether you’re in the market for a home or an investment property, it makes financial sense to buy in an area where values are tipped to rise. But where to look? Today we’ll unveil the Australian cities where population growth is tipped to turbo-charge the property market.

One of the biggest drivers of property price rises right now is … drumroll … population growth, according to PropTrack.

Let’s take a look at the cities more people are expected to call home.

Is the regional renaissance over?

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians were flocking to regional areas.

The population of regional Australia grew by 70,900 people during 2020-21 – the first time in over 40 years that the regions outpaced capital cities.

However, the COVID-inspired rush to the regions is reportedly over.

Despite the new work-from-home trend, the reopening of borders is seeing a return to urban living.

According to property exchange platform PEXA, this will see two-thirds of Australia’s population growth concentrated in four cities over the next two decades.

Which cities are set to benefit?

PEXA is predicting population growth of 7.4 million between now and 2041.

That’s a lot of people looking for a place to live.

It’s not just about net migration to Australia, either.

Regional dwellers, especially younger people, are expected to head to urban areas, attracted by the availability of study and work opportunities.

The upshot is that two million new homes will be required over the next 18 years, and 67% of population growth will be concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The stats are astonishing.

PEXA says the four hotspot cities require vast numbers of new homes:

– 723,000 in Melbourne (that’s 40,000 new homes per year, or 772 per week);
– 582,000 in Sydney;
– 381,000 in Brisbane; and
– 334,000 in Perth.

Adelaide meanwhile is predicted to need at least another 141,000 dwellings between now and 2046.

What does this mean for property buyers?

For starters, increased demand on this scale is expected to continue to push up property prices unless supply can increase at a similar pace.

Despite higher interest rates, already we have seen values rise in all of these four cities over the past 12 months.

CoreLogic says property prices have soared 7.3% in Sydney over the past year, 5.0% in Brisbane, a whopping 8.8% in Perth, and a comparatively modest 1.5% in Melbourne (and 5.0% in Adelaide).

So if you own property in these cities, you could be sitting on more equity than you realise – with potentially more to come.

Or, if you’re considering buying, particularly as an investor, it could be worth looking at one of these hotspot cities – even if you don’t live there yourself.

Are you home loan ready?

No matter where you plan to buy, understanding your borrowing power is a key starting point.

Give us a call today to find out how much you can borrow and what grants and schemes you might be eligible for to help fund your next purchase.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

How much can you really save by refinancing?

Not sure what refinancing is all about? You’re not alone. Our quick explainer lets you master the basics and helps you work out how much you could save.

Home loan refinancing is a hot topic right now.

Ever since interest rates hit an upward trajectory in May 2022, skyrocketing numbers of homeowners – as many as 28,000 each month – have turned their attention to refinancing.

However, plenty of Australians could be missing out on the savings of refinancing simply because they’re unsure of what’s involved.

Research by Finder shows one-in-five people are in the dark about refinancing, while 63% admit to being only “slightly confident” in their knowledge of refinancing.

So, let’s take a quick look at what refinancing is, and how it can reduce stress by potentially putting cash back in your pocket.

What does refinancing mean?

Refinancing simply means replacing your old mortgage with a new loan and lender.

The process is similar to the one you followed to apply for your current loan.

You decide the loan you’d like to switch to, make a formal application, and provide evidence of income, expenses, and your personal ID.

If the loan is approved, you can sit back and relax as the new lender arranges to pay out your old loan. When that’s taken care of, you just start making repayments to the new bank.

Refinancing can be a surprisingly simple process. Better still, it can all happen very quickly, usually taking about four weeks from start to finish.

Refinancing can be a stress buster

Refinancing can be an opportunity to access home equity, enjoy better loan features, or consolidate several personal debts.

But the number one reason for refinancing is to save money by paying a lower loan interest rate. Those savings can help take the financial pressure off homeowners.

According to Finder, 60% of refinancers admitted to being stressed about their home loan before deciding to switch.

If that sounds like you, making the move to a new loan could be a valuable stress buster.

How much could you save by refinancing?

Potentially, a lot!

That’s because lenders are still saving their best deals for new customers.

The average rate on established loans is currently 6.20%. But if you’re a new customer, you’re more likely to pay an average rate of 5.99%.

That’s an instant saving of 0.21% interest. Think of it as reversing almost one official rate hike.

So what does that rate difference mean for your hip pocket?

Right now, the average loan being refinanced is worth $526,093. On that balance, a 0.21% rate saving could slash more than $70 off each monthly repayment, which equates to $840 in the first year alone, assuming a 30-year loan term.

Is refinancing right for you?

If you’re starting to feel the interest rate squeeze, give us a call today to discuss your refinancing options.

We’ll help you work out if refinancing is the right step for you and how much you could save by switching to a new loan and lender.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

One-in-three first home buyers use guarantee schemes

Know anyone who wants to buy their first home? A new report confirms that low deposit schemes are getting younger buyers into a place of their own sooner.

First home buyers are ignoring headlines warning that it can take years to save a deposit.

Instead, they’re flocking to guarantee schemes that allow them to get into the market with just a 5% deposit – and without the cost of lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI).

NHFIC, which runs the First Home Guarantee schemes set up by the federal government, says that in 2022/23, close to one-in-three first home buyers tapped into the guarantee schemes.

That’s up from one in seven the year before.

In total, 41,700 home buyers got into the market with the help of guarantee schemes last financial year, following an uptick in the number of places available.

Younger Australians are buying a home

What’s especially exciting about NFHIC’s research is that it shows the schemes are allowing younger buyers to crack the property market.

In 2022/23, more than half of all places in the First Home Guarantee and Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee were taken up by people under the age of 30.

There has also been a fivefold increase in the number of buyers aged 18-24.

Key workers are buying with just a 5% deposit

The low deposit schemes are also helping a growing number of key workers such as teachers, nurses and social workers purchase a home.

Around 7,721 guarantees were issued to key workers last financial year. Great news for these essential workers in our community!

Debunking the low deposit myth

The First Home Guarantee has at times attracted criticism. This has largely been around the risks of buying with just a 5% deposit, which can mean taking on a larger loan with higher repayments.

But NFHIC data suggests this hasn’t been a problem.

Fewer than 0.1% of homeowners using the schemes have fallen behind on their loan repayments, which is less than the market average for all buyers with a low deposit loan.

Better still, close to 10,000 scheme borrowers (over 12% of total guarantees issued to date) have already transitioned out of the scheme, with most of these buyers having accumulated enough equity to achieve a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of less than 80%.

Could you be eligible for a 5% deposit scheme?

If you’re a first home buyer struggling to save a 20% deposit, it’s good to know there is a pathway to home ownership that can get you into a place of your own sooner.

And it can also help you to avoid paying LMI – which can cost you anywhere between $4,000 and $35,000, depending on the property price and your deposit amount.

Conditions apply for the 5% deposit schemes, but new rules mean you can buy with a sibling or mate and still be eligible for this valuable financial helping hand.

With property values rising in many markets across Australia, time is of the essence.

Call us today to see if you can buy a home with a 5% deposit and zero LMI.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

The one big factor pushing house prices up

Property prices have soared almost 7% this year alone. With the upswing predicted to continue, we unpack what’s driving national housing values higher – and why it could pay to get into the market sooner.

Another month, another round of price upticks.

September marked the eighth consecutive month of home price growth, with CoreLogic saying property values nationally are up 6.6% since January.

That’s a solid price hike. The crazy thing is that prices are soaring despite a whole slew of interest rate hikes over the past 18 months.

So what’s pushing prices higher?

The key factor putting a rocket under property prices is a shortage of homes listed for sale.

Homeowners are sitting tight rather than selling across a number of cities, and that’s increasing competition between buyers.

According to CoreLogic, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth have particularly low levels of homes for sale – around 40% less than previous 5-year averages.

There’s a bit more choice for buyers in Sydney and Melbourne, but both cities are still recording housing price gains (Sydney in particular).

That’s because rising prices aren’t just about a lack of homes listed for sale.

Record levels of net overseas migration are also a contributing factor.

In the year to March 2023, net overseas migration added 454,400 people to our population. That’s an extra 1,245 people each day, all looking for a home.

And according to ABS data, most immigrants settle in Sydney and Melbourne.

So as you can see, despite high interest rates, there’s upward pricing pressure on the nation’s five biggest capital cities (Hobart, Darwin and Canberra meanwhile have all seen house prices drop over the past 12 months).

Will values go higher?

At the current rate of growth, CoreLogic predicts we could see national housing values reach new highs as early as November.

Already, homes in Perth and Adelaide have smashed previous price records, notching up median values of $618,363 and $691,591 respectively in September.

Brisbane homes look set to reach record values in October, with the city’s current median home value ($761,379) just 0.6% below the previous peak.

What does this mean for home buyers?

As home prices nudge towards new highs, PropTrack says last year’s price falls have been completely reversed.

And most of the data suggests that prices are unlikely to take a tumble any time soon.

That’s because it’s possible that interest rates have peaked, population growth is rebounding strongly, and there is a shortage of new home builds.

Already we’re seeing a surge in home loan applications as more Australians recognise the current market provides a window of opportunity to buy before values rise higher.

No matter whether you’re buying a first home, second home or investment property, buying today could help you beat future price hikes.

So if you’ve got your eye on the property market, call us today and we can help you assess your borrowing power in the current climate, and even help line you up with pre-approval so you’re ready to strike when the opportunity arises.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.