More than 70% of Australians say they’re more likely to spend time looking at options for phone and internet plans, car insurance and even electronics purchases, than researching a home loan – according to a recent Pepper Money survey.

And look, we get it.

Selfies, Netflix, Uber Eats, Instagram, Tinder … phones are pretty damn nifty.

Home loans? Admittedly, not so much.

But that’s no excuse to cut corners when it comes to making what could be the biggest financial decision of your life.

By allowing yourself to get so daunted that you just go with the bank you’ve had a savings account with for years, you could potentially lock yourself into a lemon of a loan.

So today we’ll explore why 7-in-10 Australians now use a broker to help them choose the right home loan for them – and why 86% say they’d use a broker again.

1. Save time and money

Applying for a home loan can be a full-time job in itself. The research, piles of paperwork, back-and-forth queries and requests …

With busy modern lives, finding the time can be tough.

A broker can save you time by doing the legwork and comparisons for you. We use our industry knowledge and connections to find suitable home loans with competitive rates.

We’re also aware of the type of additional fees and costs that some loans may have. And this could potentially save you money.

2. Target suitable lenders

A broker can assess your situation and point you in the direction of lenders who may be more likely to say yes.

For example, say you’re working as a casual or are self-employed. There are some banks out there who don’t really favour these kinds of employment arrangements.

However, mortgage brokers have access to a wider range of options and can put forward several potential lenders who are more likely to consider your application.

This targeted approach is important because submitting too many applications can hurt your chances of loan approval.

Each time you apply for a loan, your credit history is pinged. And too many hits on your credit score can lead to lenders seeing you as risky, potentially reducing your options. A broker will take this into account.

3. Expert guidance

What’s my borrowing power? How do I fill out an expense report? What documents do I need?

The application process can be a lot, especially when you’re busy. And the financial wizardry and jargon involved can be downright confusing.

But a broker can provide you with expert guidance.

We’ll look after the application process for you and help you organise your finances and prepare the documentation you’ll need.

You’ll also (hopefully) only have to supply that documentation once, rather than over and over again with different lenders.

Get in touch

So if you’re ready to find a mortgage and streamline the process, it’s time to put that all-important phone to use and give us a call.

We can help you get your ducks in a row and use our expert knowledge and experience to line up with the right kind of loan for you.

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.

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There are few words would-be home buyers dread more than: “your home loan application has been rejected”.

It can feel like a real kick in the guts. And some of the reasons can be surprising.

A rejected loan application can hold up your home-buying plans and could have a negative effect on your credit score. So it can be important to avoid this scenario.

Below we’ve outlined five reasons your next application could be rejected – so you can start heading them off now.

1. Spending too much or too little

Most people know that spending too much is a major red flag for lenders. So limiting your unnecessary expenses is important.

But drastically slashing costs and living a very meagre existence can also be a concern.

Lenders can see this as unrealistic and unsustainable, and they can remedy it during assessment by applying the household expenditure measure (HEM) instead.

HEM is a standardised benchmark used to estimate annual living expenses. And if your standard, reasonable budget is on the super savvy frugal side, there’s a chance HEM may be higher.

2. Credit cards

Having multiple credit cards and performing several balance transfers can affect your application.

Every time you apply for credit an inquiry is logged on your credit history. And lenders will likely take notice.

Even your “just in case” credit card can have an impact. You may need to prove you have the means to pay off the limit within three years, even if the balance is $0.

3. By now pay later services

‘Tis the season for shopping. And buy now pay later (BNPL) schemes will be rolling out the red carpet.

But it might be worth resisting the temptation.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) amended its framework this year to include BNPL debts in the reporting of debt-to-income (DTI) ratios.

Lenders will likely include BNPL debt in your DTI ratio to see your total debt in relation to your income. And a high DTI can result in limited borrowing capacity or even rejection.

4. Credit history

Your credit history is a finicky thing.

Even a few late payments can cause your credit score to drop. So it’s important to make sure your bills are paid on time.

Also, applying for too many credit cards or other loans can impact your credit score, and therefore your home loan application.

And with increasing news of scams, data breaches, and identity theft … it’s a good idea to check your credit history health.

You can request a free credit report once a year from one of three national credit reporting bodies which are listed on this government website.

5. Your type of income

Your type of income could make or break your application.

Lenders typically favour traditionally employed applicants with a steady and reliable income.

Many lenders consider self-employment carries a greater risk for less consistent income, and some can reject applications on these grounds.

So if you’re self-employed, when applying for a home loan it’s important to target lenders who are more open to lending to small business owners (we can give you the down-low on this).

Also, word on the street is that tax debt is increasingly becoming an issue for self-employed applicants. So if you have a large tax debt, it might be worth getting on top of that if you can.

Get in touch

If you’re not the kind of person who likes being rejected, well, the good news is that we’re not the rejecting type.

We’d love to have a chat about your home-buying dreams to see if we can match you with the right loan and lender for you.

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 post 5 surprising reasons for home loan heartbreak appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

Look, we get it. Often the biggest obstacle in the way of home ownership is saving up for a deposit.

But once you’ve got that sorted – which we’ll help you tackle below – a recent CoreLogic analysis found servicing a mortgage was more affordable than average rent prices in 518 Australian suburbs. In fact, in some areas there were savings of over $900 a month.

Not to mention that with rental prices surging by about 10% across Australia over the past year and vacancy rates at a record low 1.1%, home ownership has possibly never looked more appealing!

So we’ve got some tips to help you switch from renter to homeowner in a timely (and confident) way.

Take advantage of the buyer’s market

Buying now or in the near future could mean less competition for properties, price drops and sellers willing to negotiate.

And recent rate hikes mean that, even during the spring selling season, we’re seeing fewer buyers. In fact data shows the median number of days that properties sit on the market is now 35, compared to 20 days last year.

And in response, property prices are falling. September data showed a 1.4% drop.

So by shopping around in the right areas and putting your negotiator hat on, you may get a price that could make buying cheaper than renting.

And most importantly, buying property and making mortgage repayments can create equity for you … instead of your landlord.

Get in on government schemes

There’s no denying that saving a big enough deposit to buy can be a bit of a slog.

But what if there was a way to sidestep the standard 20% deposit? And possibly avoid stamp duty too?

There are a number of government schemes you may be eligible for that can fast-track house buying by an average of 4 to 4.5 years.

The federal government offers low deposit, no LMI loans for eligible first home buyers, single parents and regional first home buyers.

Also, all state governments (except South Australia) have first home buyer stamp duty concessions for those eligible.

And you can stack these schemes together for more bang for your buck.

But you’ll have to move quickly on the no LMI schemes – they’re allocated on a first-come, first-served basis every financial year.

Give us a bell

Keen to make the leap from renter to home owner? If so, you’ll be busy researching the market and learning the art of the deal – so why not get a helping hand with your finances?

We can help find the right loan for you and provide you with helpful guidance that could increase your chances of mortgage application success.

And while we’re at it, we can assist you in applying for any money-saving government incentives you may be eligible for.

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.

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Dubbed the “rate that stops the nation”, today’s Melbourne Cup RBA board meeting did not see board members rein in the rate rises.

Back in May the official cash rate was just 0.10%. Today it was increased for the seventh straight month to 2.85%.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said in a statement that the RBA board expected to increase interest rates further over the period ahead.

“The size and timing of future interest rate increases will continue to be determined by the incoming data and the Board’s assessment of the outlook for inflation and the labour market,” said Governor Lowe.

“The board remains resolute in its determination to return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that.”

How much extra will your mortgage be each month?

Unless you’re on a fixed-rate mortgage, the banks will likely follow the RBA’s lead and increase the interest rate on your variable home loan soon.

Let’s say you’re an owner-occupier with a 25-year loan of $500,000 paying principal and interest.

This month’s 25 basis point increase means your monthly repayments could increase by almost $75 a month. That’s an extra $760 on your mortgage compared to May 1.

If you have a $750,000 loan, repayments will likely increase by about $110 a month, up $1140 from May 1.

Meanwhile, a $1 million loan will increase almost $150 a month, up almost $1,530 from May 1.

So how many rate hikes have we got left?

The good news is that most economists believe we’re through the bulk of the rate rises, and they could stop as early as next month.

Here’s what economists from the big four banks are predicting:

CommBank – one rate rise to go, peaking at 3.10% in December 2022.
NAB – three rate rises to go, peaking at 3.60% in March 2023.
Westpac – three rate rises to go, peaking at 3.85% in March 2023.
ANZ – three rate rises to go, peaking at 3.85% in May 2023.

Worried about your mortgage? Get in touch

If you’re starting to feel the pinch and are worried about what interest rate rises might mean for your monthly budget, feel free to contact us today.

Some options we can help you explore include refinancing (which could include increasing the length of your loan to decrease monthly repayments), debt consolidation, or building up a bit of a buffer in an offset account ahead of more rate hikes.

So if you’re concerned about how you might meet your repayments in the months ahead, give us a call today. We’d love to sit down with you and help you work out a plan moving forward.

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 post Hold your horses: RBA hikes cash rate again to 2.85% appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

With the rising cost of living and climbing interest rates, you may be looking to refinance your mortgage.

Depending on your circumstances, it can be a great way to get a better interest rate on your loan.

Not to mention that if you need access to funds for an investment property or renovation, refinancing can allow you to cash out equity in your home to use for other purposes.

But, according to CoreLogic, 79.5% of house and unit market values are on the decline across Australia. And this can affect refinancing outcomes.

We’ll walk you through just what the effects of a property value drop can mean for refinancers and how you can take action now to get ahead of the curve.

Refinancing and your property’s value

Rising rates have contributed to declining property values in some areas around the country.

For example, Sydney property prices have declined 10% since they peaked in February this year, according to the latest CoreLogic data, and many economists believe they’ll fall even further.

And as a homeowner, a drop in property value can affect your equity.

That’s because equity is the difference between your property’s (market) value and your mortgage balance. And it’s a number that lenders pay attention to when assessing refinancing applications.

Refinancing before your equity drops may see your refinancing application have a greater chance of success.

You see, most lenders will typically require you to have 20% equity in your home to refinance, which essentially serves as a deposit.

And according to this graph here, if you’ve bought a house in Sydney (for example) since June 2021, due to the recent property price declines you soon may no longer have 20% equity in your home.

If you don’t have 20% equity, you could still refinance by paying lenders mortgage insurance – but that would likely defeat the purpose of refinancing in the first place.

And if you fall into negative equity – where your home’s value drops below your mortgage balance – then refinancing most likely won’t be on the cards at all and you’ll be stuck with your current lender.

So, if you’re interested in refinancing your loan to get a better rate, sooner may be better than later … depending on how your property value is fairing.

Refinancing to cash-out equity

If you’re keen to unlock some equity – you’re not alone!

According to NAB research, seven in 10 mortgage holders recently cashed out equity while property prices were high and used the money to renovate, invest in property or shares, or boost their superannuation

So how does cashing out equity work?

Let’s say you bought an $800,000 house five years ago that is now worth $1 million.

And let’s also say you took out a $600,000 loan for that house, which you’ve managed to pay down to $500,000 (you little beauty!).

By refinancing that $500,000 loan into an $800,000 loan (banks will typically let you borrow up to 80% of a property’s market value), you can unlock $300,000 in equity.

However, if you delay a year or so, and national property prices decline 10% over this period, your house might only be valued at $900,000.

That would mean if you wanted to unlock 80% of your property’s market value, you could only refinance your $500,000 mortgage into a $720,000 loan – and therefore only unlock $220,000 in equity.

Get in touch

If you’ve been considering refinancing lately, contact us to find out more. Whether you’re looking to land a better rate or unlock equity in your home, we can help you with all the particulars.

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 post With property prices dropping, is now the time to refinance? appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

There’s no denying that rolling rate rises might have some sections of the media spouting doom and gloom.

After all, national property prices have dipped and higher interest rates can lower your borrowing power.

However, if you’re in a position to buy now, the current climate can provide less competition and more power to negotiate a good price.

Also, rental tenancy vacancy rates have reached record lows, meaning the demand for rentals is high.

So if you’re ready to dip your toe into property investment, we’ve outlined below why it could be a good time to do so.

It’s a buyer’s market

With rising interest rates and inflation, there’s been a softening of the market and this may reward those who are ready to buy now.

CoreLogic data shows there are fewer buyers at present, and properties are increasingly sitting on the market.

In the three months to September, median days on the market increased to 35 days. That’s a big increase from a median of 20 days in November 2021.

Fewer buyers can mean more property options for you to choose from and less competition when putting in an offer.

And by targeting properties that have been on the market for a while, you could potentially have more bargaining power (just be sure to do your due diligence!).

Low rental tenancy vacancy rates

Currently, there is a high demand for rental properties across Australia.

At 0.9%, the current national rental tenancy vacancy rate is the lowest it has been since 2006, according to SQM Research.

That means the likelihood of your investment property sitting empty now is low.

People are looking for solid rental properties. And if you’ve got just the thing, your investment property could have a number of good tenants putting in applications.

Flexibility around location

When purchasing an investment property, you’re not locked into buying in your home state or city.

You can set your sights further afield to make the most of what the current property market has to offer.

You can look to buy in areas where property prices have already dipped and leverage the current buyer’s market to negotiate. Also, consider purchasing in an area with a healthy demand for rental properties.

That way, you can make a financially sound purchase and increase the chances of having a good tenant in your property sooner.

Possible lower cost of entry than for owner-occupiers

You’re most likely more discerning when shopping for a property you want to live in – we all have personal preferences we want met.

And unfortunately, lists of non-negotiable bells and whistles usually come with primo pricing.

But when buying an investment property, you can be more flexible, which can open up more affordable options.

Look for the essentials that tenants want, such as a safe, comfortable, and low-maintenance property. And with lower competition now, there could be more viable properties to choose from.

The french door, olympic-sized pool, and ocean-view wish list that usually blows up budgets need not apply.

Give us a call

If you’re ready to dive into property investment, come and talk to us.

We can walk you through what you need to consider when it comes to your finances, such as your borrowing power, unlocking the equity in an existing property, finding the right loan, and much, much, more.

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 post Is now a good time to buy an investment property? appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

Are you a nurse or a midwife? Or do you know someone who is?

There was a pretty big announcement recently that allows eligible nurses and midwives (who earn over $90,000 per annum) to buy a home with just a 10% deposit and avoid paying LMI with a Westpac home loan.

It’s an extension of the bank’s existing low deposit, no LMI home loan policy that’s also available to the following allied health professionals who meet the minimum income threshold:

– dentists
– general practitioners
– hospital-employed doctors
– optometrists
– pharmacists
– veterinary practitioners
– medical specialists
– audiologist
– chiropractors
– occupational therapists
– osteopaths
– physiotherapists
– podiatrists
– psychologists
– radiographers
– sonographers, and
– speech pathologists.

So why is this such a big deal?

For starters, there are around 450,000 registered nurses and midwives in Australia – so that’s a pretty big chunk of the population who might be eligible for this policy.

Not to mention that buying a home without a typical 20% deposit can be fairly costly due to having to fork out for LMI.

Essentially, LMI is an insurance policy that protects the bank against any loss they may incur if you’re unable to repay your loan.

And if you have less than a 20% deposit when applying for a home loan, a bank will often require you to pay for LMI because they see you as a higher risk.

So by getting an LMI waiver, you can save anywhere roughly between $8,000 and $30,000 in LMI, or shave years off your efforts to save the magical 20% deposit amount.

Not a healthcare professional? Other options are available

If you’re not a healthcare professional, you may still be able to get in on the action for a low deposit, no LMI home loan.

Other lenders have similar no LMI loans for lawyers and accountants.

There are also government schemes that allow eligible first-home buyers and single parents to borrow high loan-to-value ratios with no LMI.

The first home guarantee supports eligible first home buyers to purchase their first home with a small 5% deposit.

The family home guarantee helps eligible single parents buy a home with a deposit as low as 2%.

And the good news is there are other government incentives (such as stamp duty concessions) that may be combined with no LMI home guarantee schemes to stack up the savings (subject to eligibility).

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about a no LMI home loan, give us a call today.

We can walk you through available LMI waiver options to help take the financial sting out of buying a home, and we’ll help you navigate the different price caps and application criteria.

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 post Nurses and midwives now eligible for LMI waiver appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

It’s hard to believe that at the beginning of May the cash rate was just 0.10%. Today it was increased for the sixth straight month to 2.60%.

The 25 basis point increase surprised many economists who were predicting a fifth straight 50 basis point rise.

It’s worth noting the cash rate hasn’t been this high since July 2013; almost ten years ago.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said in a statement further increases were likely to be required over the period ahead.

“The cash rate has been increased substantially in a short period of time. Reflecting this, the (RBA) board decided to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points this month as it assesses the outlook for inflation and economic growth in Australia,” said Governor Lowe.

How much extra will your mortgage be each month?

Unless you’re on a fixed-rate mortgage, the banks will likely follow the RBA’s lead and increase the interest rate on your variable home loan soon.

Let’s say you’re an owner-occupier with a 25-year loan of $500,000 paying principal and interest.

This month’s 25 basis point increase means your monthly repayments could increase by almost $75 a month. That’s an extra $685 on your mortgage compared to May 1.

If you have a $750,000 loan, repayments will likely increase by about $110 a month, up $1030 from May 1.

Meanwhile, a $1 million loan will increase almost $150 a month, up $1,380 from May 1.

So when exactly will this latest rate rise kick in?

Ok, so once the RBA hikes the official cash rate, your bank will usually announce its own interest rate hike (and have its own notice period) for variable rates in the days to come.

We’ll run you through a quick example.

Let’s say your monthly mortgage repayments are made on the 20th day of each month.

Let’s also assume you receive a notice from your lender this Friday (October 7) of their own subsequent rate increase, with a 30-day notice period.

By the time October 20 arrives, you won’t be paying higher repayments, as the full 30 days notice would not have passed.

When that 30 days notice finishes on November 6, the daily interest rate you’re charged would increase to the new amount.

That means when your monthly repayment on November 20 rolls around, you’d be charged at the new, higher rate (but calculated only from November 6).

By the time December 20 arrives, the monthly repayment amount you’re charged would fully reflect the new rate.

Worried about your mortgage? Get in touch

If you’re starting to feel the pinch and are worried about what interest rate rises might mean for your monthly budget, feel free to contact us today.

Some options we can help you explore include refinancing (which could include increasing the length of your loan to decrease monthly repayments), debt consolidation, or building up a bit of a buffer in an offset account ahead of more rate hikes.

If you’re worried about how you’ll meet your repayments in the months ahead, give us a call today. We’d love to sit down with you and help you work out a plan moving forward.

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 post RBA lifts cash rate for the sixth month in a row to 2.60% appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

Dwindling rental supplies in many parts of the country and soaring rental prices have many tenants looking for an escape.

Terms like “housing crisis” are being bandied about, and in many ways, homeownership has never looked more enticing.

The government has brought forward the regional first home buyer guarantee by three months to October 1, meaning regional Australians will soon have additional assistance to buy their first home.

But that doesn’t mean city slickers can’t get in on the action, too.

There are many government schemes designed to help you get into the market – all of which can be used simultaneously, meaning big savings for you!

Low deposit, no LMI schemes (federal government)

The federal government offers a bunch of low-deposit, no lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) schemes through the NHFIC, which can fast-track your home buying process by 4 to 4.5 years on average, because you don’t have to save the standard 20% deposit.

Better yet, not paying LMI can save you anywhere between $4,000 and $35,000, depending on the property price and your deposit amount.

1. First home guarantee: helps up to 35,000 eligible first home buyer applicants this financial year purchase their first home with as little as a 5% deposit.

2. Regional first home buyer guarantee: supports eligible regional Australians to purchase their first home with a deposit of 5%, commencing on 1 October 2022.

3. Family home guarantee: assists eligible single parents to buy a home with a low 2% deposit.

Note that price caps apply to eligible properties and vary according to the application year and property location.

Stamp duty concessions (state government)

Stamp duty: two words that send a shiver down the spine of even the most seasoned property investor.

Fortunately for first home buyers, all state governments, except South Australia, have stamp duty concessions available for eligible applicants.

The Victorian first home buyer duty exemption, concession or reduction (for properties up to $750,000), and the New South Wales (NSW) first home buyer assistance scheme (for properties up to $800,000), help reduce or eliminate stamp duty expenses.

Queensland’s first home concession applies to eligible first home buyers purchasing a property valued under $550,000. Non-first home buyers may be eligible for the home concession.

Western Australia’s (WA) first home owner grant recipients can also apply for first home owner duty concession for eligible properties.

Tasmanian eligible first home buyers can apply for the established homes duty concession to receive a 50% discount on stamp duty for homes valued at $600,000 or less.

Northern Territory (NT) stamp duty concessions are available for eligible applicants buying house and land packages.

The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) home buyer income threshold scheme assists eligible parties to avoid or reduce stamp duty, depending on their income.

First home buyer grants (state government)

Most state governments (except the ACT) offer first home owner grants (FHOG) to help you achieve homeownership.

Victoria’s FHOG offers $10,000 towards the purchase of a new home valued at $750,000 and under. As does the NSW FHOG.

WA’s FHOG also offers $10,000 for new homes, with property value thresholds dependent upon location. The NT FHOG also offers $10,000, but with the added bonus of no income or property value thresholds!

Queensland’s FHOG of $15,000 is available for eligible first home buyers purchasing a new home valued below $750,000. SA’s FHOG offers the same, but for property valued at $575,000 and below.

Tasmania’s FHOG packs a wallop, offering up to $30,000 for eligible applicants.

Get in touch

Property prices might be on the decline for a little while yet, but don’t let that deter you from acting now: it’s a buyer’s market.

It’s also important to note that spots for these schemes, such as the federal government’s first home guarantee, are limited and get snapped up quickly.

So if you’d like to make the move from renter to home owner, get in touch with us today and we’ll help you work out your borrowing options, factoring in what schemes you may be eligible for.

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 post How to escape renting and get into the property market appeared first on Pinnacle Capital.

As you’re probably aware, in early September the RBA raised the cash rate to 2.35%.

It was the fifth cash rate hike in a row and the fourth straight double rate increase of 50 basis points.

In response, many lenders have increased their variable interest rates.

But thankfully, lenders don’t slug you with a mortgage repayment hike straight away – there’s always a little bit of lag time to help you prepare.

Just how long? Let’s take a look.

When exactly will my variable rate rise kick in?

After the RBA hikes the official cash rate, your bank will (usually) announce its own interest rate hike from a particular date.

But this doesn’t mean your repayments will immediately increase when that day arrives.

Exactly when your rate rise kicks in depends on your lender, their policies and your home loan agreement, and your repayment schedule.

Lender notice periods for interest rate rises also differ from bank to bank – with CBA’s lasting 20 days, Westpac 30 days, NAB 32 days, and ANZ 30 days.

We’ll run you through a quick example.

Let’s say your monthly mortgage repayments are made on the 20th day of each month.

Let’s also assume the RBA increases the cash rate on October 4 next month, and you receive a notice from your lender on October 7 of a subsequent rate increase, with a 30-day notice period.

By the time October 20 arrives, you won’t be paying higher repayments, as the full 30 days notice will not have passed.

When that 30 days notice finishes on November 6, the daily interest rate you’re charged will increase to the new amount.

That means when your monthly repayment on November 20 rolls around, you’ll be charged at the new, higher rate (but calculated only from November 6).

But hey, at least you got a 44-day heads up from your lender – and it won’t be a full increase yet either.

By the time December 20 arrives, the repayment amount you’re charged will fully reflect the new rate.

Worried about how rate rises are increasing your mortgage repayments?

If you’ve received your rate rise notice and your budget forecast is looking tight, rest assured there are steps you can start taking now to help ease the pain.

First and foremost, if you haven’t refinanced for a while, there’s a decent chance you could get a better rate on your home loan.

For example, let’s say you refinance your variable rate home loan this month from 5% down to 4.5%.

⁣If the RBA raises the cash rate by 0.50% next month, and your bank follows suit, your interest rate will then be 5% – not 5.5% like it could have been if you didn’t refinance.

Another option is consolidating multiple loans – such as car or personal loans – into your mortgage to reduce your monthly expenses.

However keep in mind that, because home loans are longer, consolidating means you’ll pay more interest over the lifetime of the car and/or personal loan than you would have otherwise.

Similarly, you can consider refinancing to extend the term of your mortgage to help reduce monthly repayments.

Once again, you’ll end up paying more interest over the life of your loan (but hey, it could get you out of a pickle now).

Get in touch

Everybody’s situation is different. And we understand some of the ideas listed above might not suit your financial or personal situation – but there are others that could.

So if you’re worried about how you’ll meet your repayments in the months ahead, give us a call today and we’ll sit down with you to help work out a plan moving forward.

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.

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