Merry Christmas! Season’s greetings from all of us to you

The year has flown past, and as our thoughts turn to trees, tinsel and turkey, we’d like to thank all our fantastic clients for your support throughout 2023.

It’s been quite a year, with higher interest rates, soaring national property values (who’d have thought?) and a few welcome surprises including more help for first-home buyers.

There is plenty in store for 2024, and we look forward to partnering with you again to help you navigate whatever goals you have planned in the new year.

In the meantime, we hope you can take the time to relax, unwind and enjoy all the fun of the festive season.

There’s no doubt the next 12 months will dish up its fair share of surprises. But some things never change – we will be here for you in 2024 and beyond.

So, wear that ugly Christmas sweater with pride, relish the magic of the festive season, and celebrate all you have achieved this year.

May your happiness be large and your bills be small! We look forward to being part of your property journey in 2024!

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.

Ho ho ho! The smart move that has 1 in 10 borrowers feeling jolly

Home owners have been battling rising interest rates for over a year and a half now. But a new report reveals the important step some savvy borrowers are taking to rein in higher rates and swap “oh no!” for “ho, ho, ho!”.

It’s no secret that refinancing has the potential to slice a big chunk off your monthly loan repayments.

And according to Canstar, 1 in 10 mortgage holders chased a better deal in 2023 and switched to a new lender to save on their repayments.

But what’s surprising to us is that 9 in 10 didn’t.

So what’s holding them back? Let’s dive in.

Some score a discount, others don’t

To be fair, many home owners have been on the front foot this year.

According to Canstar, 1 in 5 home owners with a mortgage have negotiated a better rate with their current lender – which is great news.

Having a chat with your bank can be a fuss-free way to save, especially if they come to the party with a rate discount.

A further 14% of home owners say they have tried to switch to another lender but weren’t able to do so because they didn’t have enough equity, or didn’t meet the new lender’s requirements.

That’s why it pays to speak with us before talking to a lender.

We have in-depth knowledge of different banks’ lending criteria, so we know which lenders are likely to give you the green light for a better deal.

Too many borrowers wearing higher rates

The thing is, there are plenty of home owners who have just copped rising rates without taking action.

As Canstar puts it: “Too many borrowers remain complacent even in the face of rising repayment costs”.

The scary thing is, half (49%) of Australia’s home owners with a mortgage don’t intend to change lenders at all.

Some believe they have a good interest rate. But as many as 1 in 5 think refinancing is too hard.

Busting the myths

Let’s sort some facts from fiction.

First up, it’s great if you think you are paying a competitive interest rate. The key is to know for sure.

Right now, variable home loan rates are anywhere from 5.69% (very rare) through to 9%-plus.

With that sort of range, there’s plenty of scope to save, especially as lenders often make lower rates available to new customers.

There is an easy way to know if you’ve got a good rate: pick up the phone and call us.

And if you’re worried that refinancing is hard work, rest assured that we’ll do the bulk of the leg work for you.

We’ll sort through hundreds of home loan options to find the loan that’s right for your needs. We’ll also make the paperwork easy, liaise with your old lender, and your new bank. Simple.

So if you’re keen to find out if you can do better with your home loan these summer holidays, give us a call and we’ll help you put your best foot forward going into 2024.

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.

What’s tipped for house prices in 2024?

If buying a home is at the top of your wish list for 2024, don’t miss our rundown on how the property market has fared in 2023 – and why the new year is shaping up as potentially another big year for real estate.

As we turn the page on 2023, let’s take a quick rear mirror look on how home values moved over the past 12 months.

In a year that saw five official rate hikes, and a cost of living squeeze thanks to high inflation, home prices still jumped by 7% nationally.

Several cities eclipsed those gains, with double-digit price growth in Sydney (up 10.2%), Brisbane (10.7%) and Perth (13.5%).

But it wasn’t just price growth that took everyone by surprise.

The speed of home sales was also astonishing, with plenty of suburbs in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne selling houses in as little as eight to 25 days (on average).

Will property values keep rising in 2024?

Well, higher interest rates are starting to take a little heat out of the market.

According to CoreLogic, home values across Australia rose 0.6% in November – the smallest monthly gain since early 2023.

But here’s the rub.

The factors that pushed prices higher in 2023 are still in place, and plenty of experts are tipping house prices will keep rising in the new year.

Three factors that could drive prices higher

Three main drivers look set to support house price growth in 2024, including:

1. Strong population growth: Population growth is rebounding strongly, driven by high immigration levels. More people generally means more demand for housing.

If you’re not convinced, a recent Domain report says “unprecedented” population growth will exert “extraordinary upward price pressure” on the property market.

2. A housing undersupply: On the supply side, we’re just not building enough new homes.

Australia’s housing shortage made headlines through 2023, and it doesn’t look like it’ll get better any time soon. Building approvals for new homes are reported to be well below average levels.

3. A rental market that’s as tight as a drum: Anyone looking for a rental can face an uphill battle. Vacancy rates are at record lows, making rental conditions tough.

This could encourage more people to buy a place of their own through one of the government’s low deposit buying schemes.

The First Home Guarantee scheme for instance, lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit and zero lenders mortgage insurance.

Price growth is expected to be (slightly) lower next year

Most experts are tipping house prices will keep rising in 2024 though maybe not at the breakneck speed seen nationally in 2023.

That said, price growth won’t be anything to sneeze at.

Domain is forecasting house prices to jump 5-7% nationally, and in each capital city by:

– 7-9% in Sydney
– 2-4% in Melbourne
– 7-8% in Brisbane
– 6-7% in Perth
– 7-8% in Adelaide
– 3-5% in Canberra
– 2-4% in Hobart

The bottom line is that we could be facing another bumper year of price growth in 2024, and if buying is on your radar, it may be worth trying to buy sooner rather than later to potentially avoid paying more.

So call us today to get the ball rolling on a home loan that helps you achieve your new year property goals sooner.

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.

More lenders sign up to low deposit first home buyer scheme

First home buyers with a small deposit now have an even wider range of lenders to choose from. We reveal the latest banks to join the 5% deposit scheme that’s helping more buyers get into the market sooner.

First home buyers have just received an early Christmas gift, of sorts, with an uptick in the number of lenders that have signed up to the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS).

Three Westpac brands, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA, have added their names to the list of lenders available to first home buyers under the HGS.

If you’re not familiar with the HGS, it gives first home buyers an opportunity to buy a place of their own with as little as a 5% deposit (and no lenders mortgage insurance) through the First Home Guarantee or Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee.

First home buyers aren’t the only ones to benefit. The HGS also includes the Family Home Guarantee, which allows solo parents to buy a home with just a 2% deposit.

More competition is good news for home loan rates

According to Housing Australia, which runs the HGS, first home buyers can now choose from 33 lenders participating in the scheme.

This includes most of the big banks (ANZ has not signed up) plus a generous variety of small banks, credit unions and non-bank lenders.

The extra sweetener is that more lenders can boost competition, which potentially encourages banks to keep their interest rates low for first home buyers.

Buying with a 5% deposit helps get you into the market sooner

Saving a deposit is often the key barrier for first home buyers. And when home prices and cost of living are rising, it can seem like the goal posts are constantly moving out of reach.

The beauty of the HGS is that it lets first home buyers jump into the property market about four years earlier (on average) than they normally would.

So, it’s no surprise that last financial year one-in-three first home buyers purchased with the help of the HGS.

Better yet, new data from Housing Australia shows that first buyers who have tapped into the scheme are now sitting on $82,000 in home equity, on average.

It’s a great result, especially when you consider that the average first home deposit across the scheme was just $35,200 in 2020, rising to $36,400 in mid-2023.

Compare that to the average deposit of $159,000 across the broader first-home buyer market, and it’s easy to see how the 5% deposit scheme gives first-home buyers a valuable leg-up into the market sooner.

How to choose the right loan for you?

With more than 40 lenders offering 5% deposit home loans under the HGS, the challenge can be choosing the loan and lender that’s right for your needs (or finding one that will take you on if your application is a bit touch and go, or if you’ve just started your own business in recent years).

The simple solution is to give us a call.

We can explain whether you’re eligible for the low-deposit scheme, and answer any questions you may have.

We’ll also take the time to understand your needs, so you can be confident that the lenders and loan products we put forward to you are a good fit.

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 to manage your home loan over Christmas

It may be called the silly season but a few smart strategies could help you enjoy the festive season this year without missing a beat on your home loan. Check out our tips to share the Christmas cheer this year without breaking the bank.

Store shelves are starting to be lined with tinsel, ‘Santa stop here’ signs are popping up around the neighbourhood, and chances are you’re beginning to hum a few bars of Jingle Bells.

Yes, Christmas is just around the corner, and now’s the time to plan for what can be a pricey time of year.

After 13 rate hikes in close succession, plenty of homeowners are feeling the squeeze of higher home loan repayments.

The good news is that you (hopefully) won’t have to cancel Christmas this year. Below are three clever hacks that could help you manage your mortgage over the festive season.

1. Follow Santa’s lead – make a list (or two)

Plan ahead by listing all the fixed expenses you’ll face in December such as utilities, your home loan, car loan, and credit card repayments, as well as less frequent bills such as council rates that may fall due before Christmas.

Add up the total to know how much you need to set aside. It’s a good idea to try and prioritise these bills over seasonal spending.

Next, draft up a Christmas spending budget that allocates money to gifts, food, drinks and decorations.

Finetune your budget based on your ability to pay, bearing in mind the upcoming costs you identified in the bill list.

If things are looking tight this year, consider opting for Secret Santa instead of everyone buying everyone a present.

It can help make the giving experience more personal and is definitely gentler on the hip pocket.

Websites like elfster.com can help keep it anonymous and straightforward for everyone.

2. Plan for how you’ll pay

It can be tempting to pay for Christmas purchases with a credit card or buy now, pay later. But these options can just mean kicking the can down the road until January when payments fall due.

It’s also worth noting that late payments on either option could affect your credit score for any future home loan applications.

So where possible, consider reaching for your debit card for festive purchases. It’s hard to get into too much trouble when you pay using your own money.

3. Ask your lender for a gift

Christmas is the season of giving, so why don’t we hit up your lender for the gift of a lower interest rate?

Reserve Bank data shows there is still a gap between the rates on new versus established loans.

If you took out your loan through us, get in touch and we can either reach out to your lender on your behalf for a discount or, if they don’t come to the party, help you explore your refinancing options with another lender.

Don’t let Christmas spending ruin your home loan plans for 2024

It’s easy to get swept up in seasonal good cheer. But it can sometimes be important not to get too carried away with Christmas spending.

If you plan to refinance your home loan or purchase a house in 2024, a lender will likely look at your spending patterns over the past few months.

Hamming up your purchases in December can bump up your average living costs, and if you go way over the top, potentially see you knocked back for a new loan in the new year.

Want more tips to manage your mortgage over the holiday season? Call us today for more festive saving strategies.

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.