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89. 10 tips for choosing an investment property

10 tips for choosing an investment property

So, you’re thinking of buying your first residential investment property? There are a few things to consider before making the move. Here are our top 10 tips for avoiding potential difficulties and ensuring success. (1) Know your goal Understanding your financial objectives is key to finding the right investment property. The actual property itself is rarely the end goal when it comes to investing – the financial elements should be your key focus. First, decide what your investment goal is and then create a plan to achieve it within a realistic time frame. Are you looking for a plan for retirement? An income-generator to fund your children’s education? Or building equity to gain a regular income? Define a plan and review it regularly as
88 investing interstate

Investing interstate

When people think of buying an investment property, many only think locally. Investing in a property interstate could possibly be a smarter idea, potentially resulting in a better return on your investment. it may also be a potential way to snaffle a bargain. You could be buying into an area with greater potential capital growth compared to your home state – as each state reaches different stages of the property cycle at different points. Some of the key issues to keep in mind include: The logistics of property management Some may find it hard to manage their investment property from another state. It can be costly maintaining a property and finding tenants if you regularly need to travel between states. Although employing a property
87. explainer home loan pre-approval

Explainer: Home loan pre-approval

For those getting ready to stride into the world of home ownership, the uncertainties of pre-approval can cast a shadow of doubt over an otherwise exciting time. When is it necessary? How long does it last? And what does it involve, exactly? Pre-approval is a lender’s assessment of your likelihood of being approved for an otherwise suitable loan. The appraisal is made on the basis of your ability to service a loan by looking into your living expenses and liabilities, your credit history, your employment circumstances and how often you have moved home or employment in the recent past. As it is performed prior to a property being found and chosen, it does not take into account the particulars of a specific property and
86. exit costs when refinancing

Exit costs when refinancing

Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan, but there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest rate and making the change. Before making the switch, ensure the savings you could make outweigh the fees involved. Here are the different exit costs to consider: Exit fee Although loans taken out after 1 July 2011 are not subject to deferred establishment, or exit, fees, those taken out prior may still be. Also known as ‘early termination’ or ‘early discharge’ fees, they can sometimes be paid by your new lender but are normally applied to an early contract exit. Establishment fee Also known as ‘application’, ‘up-front’ or ‘set-up’
85. explainer fixed rate loans

Explainer: fixed-rate loans

With interest rates at an all-time low, taking the option of locking in an interest rate on your home loan to guard against possible future fluctuation may be attractive. However, it pays to know the ins and outs of fixed-rate loans before committing to one. When purchasing a property, borrowers can decide between fixed-interest loans that maintain the same interest rate over a specific period of time, or variable-rate loans that charge interest according to market rate fluctuations. Fixed-rate loans usually come with a few provisos: borrowers may be restricted to maximum payments during the fixed term and can face hefty break fees for paying off the loan early. However, locking in the interest rate on your home loan can offer stability. For those
84. how to pay off your home loan faster and save big bucks

How to pay off your home loan faster and save big bucks

Reducing the life of your loan isn’t difficult; there are many simple things you can do to cut years off your mortgage. Here are some tips that will help you be mortgage-free sooner than planned. Small extra repayments One of the most obvious ways to pay off your home loan quicker is to make extra repayments. Depositing lump sums, such as a tax return or work bonus, will always be beneficial, however it doesn’t always take large amounts or windfalls to make a substantial difference – planning for regular, small cash injections can have a great impact over the life of a loan. Let’s say we give an extra $50 a fortnight on a $500,000 loan, that saves you $32,000 of interest over the
83. why some interest only borrowers are keen to switch

Why some interest-only borrowers are keen to switch

New government regulations mean interest-only loans are on the decline. Given the changes, it may be time to reconsider your own loan structure. Rewind a few years and many people would have confidently assured you that an interest-only loan – a home loan on which you only have to make interest payments for a set period of time – was the way to go. Its benefits were clear to many owner-occupiers and investors. For those buying their first home, for instance, it provided an opportunity to get on top of the initial costs of buying a place before they were hit with the full force of principal and interest (P&I) repayments. For those investing in property, it was a great chance to get a
82. is buying to flip still viable in todays market

Is buying to flip still viable in today’s market?

With the property boom of recent years and the popularity of TV renovation shows like The Block and House Rules, increasing numbers of Australians have been ‘buying to flip’ – buying a property, renovating it and selling it at a profit. Buying to flip can be lucrative when property prices are rising rapidly, but is it still a viable option in today’s softer market? The answer is it can be. You will, however, need to: do your own research and due diligence be in a strong financial position consult a mortgage broker for the best finance arrangements. What should potential ‘flipper’ be aware of? Buying ‘the right’ property What’s the right property for you to flip? The answer to that may come from research
81. is a family guarantee right for you

Is a family guarantee right for you?

Entering the property market is no easy feat for a first homebuyer, but even parents who aren’t prepared to hand over cash for a deposit may help by being a guarantor on a loan. Before taking the plunge however, it’s crucial to be aware of the implications involved. Here are three questions to ask yourself to see if a family guarantee is right for you:   Am I financially fit to be a guarantor? The very first thing you should be certain of is whether or not you are in a financially capable position to pay off the loan if the borrower finds that they can no longer do so. There can be many disruptions to an income, such as loss of employment or
80. how to negotiate in a softer housing market

How to negotiate in a softer housing market

Seller expectations are high but buyers want low prices – what’s to be done? Two real estate agents detail how to negotiate in a declining market. After years of rapidly rising house prices, the recent slowdown took many people by surprise – not least those with a home to sell. “For a while we had a situation where buyers were aware the market was dropping while sellers still assumed it was strong, so there was a big gap between their expectations,” says Anton Zhouk, Director of the Buxton Real Estate Group at Boroondara in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. “Now people have had time to adjust so, when it comes to negotiation, the gap isn’t quite so wide.” Whatever the state of the market, every negotiation
79. what comes first the property or the loan

What comes first: the property or the loan?

It’s easy to get carried away with the fun part of buying a property – looking at houses – but delaying the less compelling task of arranging finance will weaken your negotiating position on both the property and the loan. Looking for a property to purchase is an exciting time. Choices regarding location, size, number of rooms and local amenities often see house hunters carried away in a deluge of daydreams and anticipation. But, before you get carried away, it’s important to check off the essentials first. Although organising your finances may seem drab in comparison to perusing sales listings, gaining pre-approval with a lender will give you confidence about how much you can afford to borrow. First and foremost you need to determine
78. selling your home here are the first steps to take v2.0

Selling your home? Here are the first steps to take

There is more to selling your home than putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign on your front lawn. Here are the first things you should check off your list to help you get the largest return from your investment and to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. Choose a quality agent Asking family and friends who have purchased or sold a property about their experience is a great way to ensure the agent you’ve enlisted will provide quality service. A website and promotional material will always highlight the agent in the best possible way, but word of mouth and past client reviews will show their true colours. Make sure the agent specialises in your area and is someone you feel comfortable around

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