Mortgage
Friday, December 16th, 2011
Talking to some older folk over the last week about times when interest rates were around eighteen percent and I am reliably told that there are many watching with almost amusement at the goings on in relation to the continued will they/won’t they pass that rate cut onto borrowers guessing game.
Because it was back in their day that a bank not passing on a rate cut was almost the rule, rather than the exception.
And with interest rates getting up to eighteen percent around that time, that was a whole lot of sweat going on!
So that generation can certainly add some perspective to what’s happening in the current times.
But there is one difference now. Thanks to competitors such as non-bank lenders, credit unions and building societies continuing to be a force in the mortgage marketplace, rate cuts are now more routinely passed on in full to borrowers.
And the reality is, this pattern now is largely due to the continuing existence of alternative lenders, combined with people exercising their right to choose.
After the 1990’s, benchmark rates came down by almost two percent after non-bank lenders such as Resi entered the market and have remained lower largely because our sector of the market continues to be around.
Sure – the big banks will continued to be pressured, whether it’s by government, borrowers or through the existence of other alternative lenders to more carefully consider their decision on rates, so that won’t change.
But at the end of the day, borrowers are now in a position where if they don’t like what’s happening, they can take their bat and ball and… move.
Posted in Uncategorized | December 16th, 2011 No Comments » Tags: affordability, home loan rate, Interest Rates, Mortgage, non-bank lenders
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
With the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment figure released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing 5.2%, there is now (well – for this week at least) speculation that an official rate cut by the Reserve Bank is less likely.
But apart from the potential impact a jobs figure has on inflation figures and their subsequent interpretation by the Reserve Bank, what else does that figure actually tell us about what’s happening here in Australia?
What it does tell us is that if we look at what is actually trending in the job market, the situation is actually quite static.
And for those with mortgages, a static job market may also provide additional evidence that people are exercising more conservative financial behavior so they can knuckle down and try to better manage their situation with what they have.
After all – we’re no longer in the same job market that we were even five years ago before the GFC when many people felt comfortable changing jobs just to chase a bit more money.
Times have since changed – and it’s still very much a moving feast for committed consumers, most of who are keeping their cards very close to their chest indeed.
Posted in Uncategorized | October 13th, 2011 No Comments » Tags: Interest Rates, Mortgage
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Thanks to a 24 hour news cycle, we now have rolling updates on everything from around the world, if we choose to keep glued to our TV and computer screens.
And for some it’s quite addictive. Because just as reality TV has capitalised on people’s fixation to watch the good, the bad and the ugly of people’s everyday lives - so too has society’s appetite grown for watching global events unfold before our very eyes.
If we need a recent example, who can ever forget the Japanese tsunami?
But this has had more serious implications on matters of economic importance such as what might happen to official interest rates, because expert’s predictions can now change from da- to- day.
Just take the events of the last few weeks…
In early August analysts were tipping rates to rise because of higher than expected inflation figures for the June quarter. And then… as global sharemarkets all took a huge tumble thanks a still tenuous US economy and the economic situation in Europe, a rate cut was then being more widely predicted.
And most recently, RBA Governor Glenn Stevens last week told a parliamentary committee, that Australia is well positioned to tackle any further weakening of international conditions and that inflation data is “still concerning,” easing speculation they will cut interest rates.
It’s a bit like watching a tennis match, with volleys going back and forth. When really, all consumers want is some semblance of stability - which is difficult to attain in an information rich world where everyone can so easily promote their opinion.
So for borrowers, this abundance of information can be overwhelming and needs to be balanced out by starting to think about their goals again so that no matter what happens, you have a clear path to follow.
Keep your eyes on the prize, but remember that too much information can sometimes be a dangerous thing. And perspective is a wonderful bedfellow.
Posted in Home Loan Tips, Interest Rates | August 29th, 2011 No Comments » Tags: Home Loan, Interest Rates, Mortgage, Property Market
Friday, November 26th, 2010
With yet another official rate announcement expected in just over a week to cap off the year, there are some sectors of the market with an obvious case of the rate wobbles.
This condition is characterised by the following symptoms: (more…)
Posted in Buying to Invest, First Time Buyers, Interest Rates, Moving House, Refinancing, Uncategorized | November 26th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: First Home Buyers, Fixed Rate, Home Loan, home loan rate, Home Loans, Interest Rates, Mortgage, mortgage rate, Property Market, rate rise, RBA, standard variable rate, Variable loan, variable rate
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
If you’re a first home buyer or looking to refinance, as with choosing the perfect partner, choosing the best rate for you is really about finding your ideal type.
So what type of loan structure is right for you – right now? (more…)
Posted in Buying to Invest, First Time Buyers, Home Loan Tips, Interest Rates, Refinancing | October 19th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: Calculators, capped interest rate, Comparison rate, First Home Buyers, First Home Savers Account, Fixed Rate, Home Loan, home loan interest rate, home loan rate, Home Loans, honeymoon interest rate, honeymoon rate, Interest Rates, introductory interest rate, Invest, Mortgage, mortgage rate, rate rise, standard variable rate, tracking interest rate, Variable loan, variable rate
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
“We need to move – this house is too small / needs too much work / doesn’t suit our lifestyle anymore/ isn’t in the right location.”
Whatever the reason you decide you want to up sticks and move houses, you would do well to remind yourself that the cost to move homes doesn’t simply start and finish with the difference it may have cost you to upgrade to new digs. (more…)
Posted in Moving House, Property and Tax, Refinancing | October 7th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: affordability, Budget, Calculators, Home Loans, Interest Rates, Mortgage, Move House, Property Market, Refinance, Renovation, Spending, Stamp Duty
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
You’re about to borrow a significant sum of money for a property – probably the most you’ll ever borrow from anyone.
So stop now and ask yourself, have you taken the time to do some homework and find out more about who’s actually going to lend you that money? Because if you haven’t yet considered this, there’s no better time than now to find out why its so important. (more…)
Posted in Buying to Invest, First Time Buyers, Home Loan Tips, Refinancing | October 5th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: affordability, Budget, First Home Buyers, First Home Savers Account, Home Loan, Home Loans, Invest, Lender, Mortgage, non-bank lenders, Property, Refinance, Upgrade, Variable loan, variable rate
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Julia, Julie, Kristina, Anna, Quentin – and no doubt there’s more to come.
In case you haven’t noticed – there’s a pattern emerging in the world of business and politics where women are slowly, but surely, starting to take centre stage.
And that pattern has also transcended into the world of finance in terms of women empowering themselves in the ways of the property market. (more…)
Posted in Buying to Invest, First Time Buyers, Home Loan Tips | September 30th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: Budget, Debt, Equity, First Home Buyers, Home Loan, Home Loans, Interest Rates, Mortgage, non-bank lenders, Property, Property Market, Variable loan, variable rate
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
If you’re like most Australian households, you’ll be looking for ways to stay one step ahead in a rising rate cycle. So if you’re happy to stick with your current loan, there are some simple ways to squeeze more from your home loan – and make it go the extra mile. (more…)
Posted in Uncategorized | September 9th, 2010 No Comments » Tags: Budget, Mortgage
Friday, August 13th, 2010
When PM Julia Gillard asked the audience in this week’s public forum how many could afford to pay their mortgage if they weren’t working, only a handful of the 200 strong crowd raised their hand….which based on experience, isn’t that surprising.
Because although purchasing a home and taking out a mortgage is often the single biggest financial outlay of a person’s life, not many people stop to consider how they would service a mortgage if they become sick or injured or out of a job.
(more…)
Posted in Uncategorized | August 13th, 2010 1 Comment » Tags: Insurance, Lender, Mortgage