Subscribe to be notified for updates: RSS Feed

Juggling several debts can be stressful. If you’re struggling to keep on top of your debts or you simply want to save money on interest, we can help you solve the problem and get some peace of mind. Here are 3 ways your mortgage and finance broker can help you deal with your debts so you remain in control.

1) We can help you consolidate your debt

With debt consolidation, the idea is you take out a new low-interest loan and use it to pay off all your high-interest debts. We usually recommend one of two debt consolidation options.

Option 1: Refinance your home loan

In this scenario, you would refinance your mortgage and access some of your equity to pay off your debts.

Pros

  • Home loan interest rates are lower than those for most other types of credit.
  • One convenient repayment that’s easier to manage.
  • You can spread your repayments out over time to make them more affordable.
  • You may be able to make extra repayments and pay off your debt quicker, thereby saving money on interest.

Cons

  • Home loan terms can be 25 or 30 years. If you’re not careful, you may end up paying much more interest on your debts, even though the home loan interest rate is lower. Ask us to crunch the numbers for you.
  • If you use the equity in your home to pay off your debts, you will have less money when you sell your home.
  • If you turn all your unsecured debts (like credit cards) into secured debt (like your home loan), in a worst case scenario, you could lose your home if you get into debt again and can’t meet the repayments.

Option 2: Take out a personal loan

You could consolidate by taking out a personal loan with a competitive interest rate and using it to pay off all your other debts.

Pros

  • Interest rates for personal loans are generally lower than those on credit cards.
  • One convenient repayment.
  • Spread the repayments out over time to make them more manageable.
  • At the end of the loan term, all your debt will be paid off.

Cons

  • Personal loans come with higher interest rates than home loans (you may be better off by refinancing your home loan – ask us to crunch the numbers for you).
  • If you are struggling financially, it may be more difficult to secure a competitive interest rate.

2) We can compare interest rates on any kind of loan

We can help you find competitive interest rates on other kinds of loans, besides your home loan. Want us to compare interest rates on your personal loan? Not a problem. How about your car loan? We can access a wide variety of lenders to help with that too.

To help you manage your debts, we may be able to refinance your existing loans to a more competitive interest rate, or a longer loan term that reduces the size of your repayments. Bottom line is you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by checking in with us.

3) We can help you create a budget and savings plan 

Having a solid understanding of your income and expenses will help you remain in control of your finances. We can help you set up a budget to pay off your debts and create a savings plan to reach your goals. We’ll also give you tips, like how eliminating credit cards could save you money, or how budgeting apps work.

The last thing you want is for your debt to spiral out of control. As your mortgage and finance broker, we can explain whether debt consolidation is financially worthwhile, compare the market to find you the most competitive interest rates and help you find ways to budget and save. Please get in touch with us at Element Finance today.

To rent or buy? For some, renting makes good financial sense. For others, it’s just money down the drain. For you it may be a question of short-term convenience versus long-term financial growth, which can make it a difficult decision to make. In this article, we break down the pros and cons of renting and buying, putting it into simple terms. We also let you in on a little secret – how to get the best of both worlds! Remember, your mortgage broker is a great source of support and information – if you need help to decide which option is right for you, then please get in touch with us at Element Finance.

Pros of renting

  • You can live wherever you want

    Career and lifestyle are important considerations, whether you’re single or a family. Renting a place in a suburb or location that is close to your work, friends and ideal lifestyle amenities (like schools or shopping) can often be much more affordable than buying there.

  • Flexibility
    If your work or lifestyle require you to be ready to up stumps and move at short notice, then renting gives you greater flexibility and mobility. Or if your situation changes and you find you need less expensive digs, you can quickly find a rental that fits your new budget.
  • Lower costs and less hassle
    Renting is usually cheaper than buying and you won’t have to worry about ongoing expenses like rates, body corporate fees, maintenance, repairs and building insurance.

Cons of renting

  • The ‘dead money’ argument
    Have you ever heard the phrase ‘rent money is dead money’? Many argue it’s much better to pay off your own home loan than someone else’s. It’s certainly true that capital gains on a property can potentially grow your wealth, and you can look forward to living ‘mortgage free’ within 25 – 30 years.
  • Restrictions
    Common complaints from renters include living with the landlord’s décor, not being able to put hooks in walls, restrictions on pets, or even the number of people who live with you.
  • Uncertainty
    Rental properties don’t offer long-term certainty. Moving can be expensive and you’re vulnerable whenever the lease ends or the landlord decides to renovate or move back in.
  • Inspections
    Most rental properties require you to submit to inspections by the landlord or agent every six months. These can be stressful and inconvenient.
What the statistics say
* Based on the 2016 census
Percentage of Australians renting30.9%
Percentage of Australians who own their home outright31%
Percentage of Australians paying off their home34.5%

Pros of buying

  • Freedom to do what you like with the property
    Buying your own property means you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. You can decorate any way you like, and add value by renovating.
  • Capital gains and wealth-building opportunities
    You’ll own an asset eventually, and while you’re paying it off the property could potentially increase in value. What’s more, you may be able to use the equity in your home to build wealth through property or other investments.
  • Certainty 
    You’ll have the security and certainty of knowing where you’ll be living for years to come. You’ll also obtain a degree of financial certainty – because you’ll own a substantial asset.

Cons of buying

  • Affordability constraints and costs
    High housing prices and low wages growth have made buying difficult for some people. However, there are incentives available like the First Home Owner Grant to help you get started. Ask us if you’d like to know more.
  • Added responsibility
    Becoming a home owner means you’ll have new financial responsibilities (such as paying your mortgage repayments and bills in a timely manner).
  • You may not be able to afford to buy where you want to live
    As a home buyer, you may have to compromise on location or property type to find a property that suits your budget at first. However, once you get a foot on the property ladder, the potential capital gains could help to make your next property purchase more ideal.

Have you considered rentvesting?

Just because you want to live close to the action doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your dream of owning property. Rentvesting is a strategy that allows you to live where you want and buy an affordable investment property elsewhere! You could potentially get a foot on the property ladder now, enjoy the benefits of capital growth and having a tenant to help you to pay the mortgage, but still live wherever you like.

Talk to us about what’s right for you

Whether to rent or buy comes down to your personal situation and goals. If you’ re considering buying, then talk to us and we’ll help you decide what’s right for you. Keep in mind that even if you don’t have a 20% deposit saved, there may be other ways to get you over the finish line to buy a home or kick off your rentvesting strategy. We’re happy to explain everything you need to know, so please get in touch with us at Element Finance today!

Co-housing is a way of living that offers many benefits, especially for seniors. If the concept is unfamiliar, you may be conjuring up images of a 1970s hippy commune, but rest assured you won’t have to wear tie dye t-shirts or become a vegan to be accepted! In this article, we explain what co-housing is, where it originated, and provide an example of a co-housing community in action in Tasmania. Remember, if you’re considering downsizing or making living arrangements for your retirement, we’re here to help you find the right finance for your needs.

What is co-housing?

Co-housing is defined as “an intentional community” of private homes built around shared facilities. These common spaces may include a common house with a shared kitchen and dining area where residents can cook and eat together.

There may be community gardens, playgrounds and recreational spaces. Some co-housing developments may even include communal swimming pools and movie rooms for residents to enjoy.

Each household in the community is independent and fully equipped with its own amenities, including private kitchens and baths. However, the idea behind co-housing is for neighbours to be part of a collaborative community.

Co-housing differs from regular retirement villages in that the community is owned and managed by the residents who live there.

The key benefits of a co-housing community are that residents may have the opportunity to collaborate over how it is set up, what amenities it includes and how much it costs.

Where did the idea originate?

The idea of co-housing started in Denmark in the 1960s. From Scandinavia, the concept spread to other parts of Europe, on to North America, and over to New Zealand and Australia.

Co-housing initiatives are now popping up in many parts of Australia, reinvigorating the concept of community. Seniors’ co-housing has been suggested as an alternative to aged care or retirement villages for those wishing to age in place.

What are the benefits?

Enthusiasts believe co-housing offers the following advantages:

  • More meaningful relationships with neighbours.
  • A feeling of belonging, in that you’re part of a community.
  • Reduces loneliness and isolation by connecting you with others.
  • A collaborative culture of sharing and caring.
  • Maintenance tasks are divided among the community.
  • Decisions affecting the community are based on the consensus.
  • You still have privacy, as well as the support of your neighbours as needed.
  • Reduces household bills, as expenses for shared space are divided between residents.
  • Depending on your community, it may be less expensive than other housing options.
  • Reduces your environmental impact thanks to a “greener” approach to living.

An example of a co-housing community in action

Cascade Cohousing in South Hobart is a great example of a thriving co-housing community. Established in 1991, there are currently 22 adults, ranging in age from young families to retirees, and six children living in 15 privately-owned properties (on strata title).

There’s a central common house with a shared kitchen, dining area, lounge, laundry, workshop and TV room. Three nights a week, the residents get together for a meal, and once a month they hold body corporate meetings and working bees for maintenance. There are fun activities on offer like film nights, games evenings and gardening.

You can find examples of other established and emerging co-housing communities on the Cohousing Australia website.

If you’re entering the next phase of life, co-housing may be the way to go. As your mortgage broker, we can help you secure the finance you need to start your exciting new chapter in an existing co-housing community, or even work with you and your chosen ‘community group’ to set one up. Please talk to us at Element Finance about your retirement lifestyle plans and goals today!

We hope you are embracing the arrival of winter and enjoying the cool change. In recent weeks we’ve seen conditions for property buyers improving, with fewer homes reaching the reserve price at auction and values trending downwards in many markets. During the colder months, there are usually fewer buyers doing the rounds, so there could be some red-hot deals for you to snap up. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new home or investment property this winter, please give us at Element Finance a call.

Interest Rate News

As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate on hold at 1.5 per cent again this month. There is some speculation that rates could start to rise toward the end of the year, provided the RBAs measures to improve inflation, employment and wages growth start to take effect.

Some local analysts are anticipating that lenders will soon start to raise rates outside of RBA movements, due to the rising costs of borrowing. Interbank lending rates (the rates that apply to Australian banks when lending money to each other) are on the rise in line with global money markets and are likely to affect home loan interest rates across the board at some point this year.

There is some good news, however. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has lifted the 10% limit on property investment credit growth for eligible banks from July 1. This has resulted in some lenders cutting rates on interest-only loans already, so if you’re in the market for a property investment loan please call Element Finance.

Property Market News

Whilst our property markets had a healthy number of properties up for auction throughout May, clearance rates declined considerably and there was a general softening in home values.

For the week ending Sunday 03 June, (officially the final weekend in the busy autumn selling season), Victoria held the highest number of auctions at 1161, achieving a clearance rate of 62 per cent. NSW was next with 1001 scheduled auctions and a clearance rate of just 52 per cent. QLD held 273 auctions with a clearance rate of just 43 per cent. ACT held 107 auctions and cleared 66 per cent, and SA held 105 auctions and cleared 68 per cent. WA only scheduled 29 auctions and achieved a clearance rate of about 25 per cent, NT 11 auctions with a clearance rate of about 50 per cent and Tasmania only scheduled three auctions with no sales recorded.

According to CoreLogic, home values were softening in our larger property markets during the month ending May 31. Sydney home values fell by 0.22 per cent during the month and were showing a decline of 4.21 per cent since this time last year. Melbourne’s home values fell by 0.50 per cent but were still up by 2.22 per cent from this time last year. Canberra’s home values fell by 0.10 per cent last month but were up by 2.28 per cent YoY.

Home values also fell in Darwin by 0.22 per cent in May and are down by 7.88 per cent from this time last year. They also fell in Perth by 0.14 per cent in May and were down by 1.84 per cent since this time last year. Adelaide and Hobart are the only markets showing increases – Adelaide’s home values were up by 0.50 per cent in May and by 0.62 per cent since this time last year and Hobart is still proving to the outstanding performer, with home values up by 0.81 per cent in May and by 12.71 per cent since this time last year.

Winter is generally a quiet season, so we can expect to see a further slowing in auction numbers, clearance rates and home value rises in the next few weeks. This may provide a chance to pick up a bargain for those willing to brave the cold weather. If you need pre-approval on a loan as a first-home buyer, next home buyer, or property investor, please get in touch with Element Finance today!

When done right, investing in property can help you to build long-term wealth, and who doesn’t like the idea of an additional income stream? (Imagine what you could do with that!) The really great thing about property investing is that just about anyone can understand the principals. If you’re thinking about building wealth for your future this way, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about it. We’ve kept it super simple and you’re bound to have questions, so please give us a call to find out how we can help you make it work!

Step 1: Talk to us about your borrowing power

The first step involves a friendly chat with us about the finance set-up. We’ll run through your personal financial circumstances and help you determine your borrowing power – which is the amount a lender may be willing to lend you. Your borrowing power may be very different for an investment property than for a home to live in yourself.

Like all property purchases, you’ll need a deposit. If you already own your home and it has appreciated in value, or you’ve paid down your mortgage somewhat, you may be able to refinance to access equity to fund it. We can explain how this works and the kind of loan that will best suit your situation. We can also organise pre-approval so that you can set a purchasing budget and be confident a lender will come through with the finance when the time comes to start investing.

Step 2: Formulate an investment strategy

Ask yourself what your ultimate objective is – do you want to build a big investment portfolio of 10 properties or more and make a business out of it? Or are you more interested in concentrating on paying off your own home, perhaps using an investment or two on the side to generate some money to do it?

We recommend seeking advice from your financial planner or professional tax advisor when formulating your investment strategy. Maximising tax advantages is a big part of property investing and knowing what they might be in your personal situation is key. Ask us for a referral if you don’t already have a professional on board.

Step 3: Set your budget

There are many costs to factor into your budget when buying an investment property. The financial side of a successful property investment is a balance between costs, income, tax deductions and how they affect your overall cash-flow. The costs to factor in may include the following:

Initial costs

    • Deposit
    • Loan establishment fees
    • Lenders’ mortgage insurance (if you have less than 20% deposit)
    • Stamp duty (calculators are available here)
    • Conveyancing and legal fees
    • Building and pest inspection reports
    • Quantity Surveying fees – to create your Depreciation Schedule for the fixtures in the property, so you can maximise your tax deductions (after purchase).

Ongoing costs

  • Rates/government taxes
  • Insurance
  • Mortgage repayments
  • Body corporate fees
  • Utilities not paid by the tenant
  • Property management fees
  • Repairs and maintenance costs.

Step 4: Do your research 

The key to buying the right investment property is to spend plenty of time researching. Property investors usually focus on two key financial returns – capital growth potential (which is the growth in the property’s value) and rental yield (the income the property will generate from the tenants).

These factors are driven by supply and demand, so try to find a property that will be in high demand by tenants and future potential buyers. Ask us for assistance with the right property market data to inform your property searches.

Once you’re set on a property, be sure to organise building and pest inspections. You’ll want to know that the property is structurally sound and free of unwanted guests before making an offer or going to auction.

Step 5: Finalise your finance

The final step involves us helping you secure an investment loan that suits your financial circumstances and goals. Ask us to get you pre-approval on a loan for the specific property you want to buy before you make an offer or buy it auction, so you can have a realistic ceiling price to work with during the negotiations.

This step is the most important one of all if you’re buying at auction – you will be required to put your deposit down on the spot and it is not refundable if the lender does not agree the property is worth the price you paid and won’t lend the amount you need to complete the purchase. If you are buying under offer, we recommend you include a ‘subject to finance’ clause in the sales contract, to cover this contingency.

If you’re thinking about joining the thousands of Australians building wealth for the future through property investment, don’t wait to give Element Finance a call. Our mortgage brokers are here to give you expert guidance about investment loans and structuring your finance. Talk to us today!


1 2 3 4 8
Copyright 2016