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Why Refinance?

A good article from the MFAA on when and why to refinance.

The most common reason for people to refinance their mortgage is to get a better deal and lower rate. But be careful you don’t become interest rate-fixated.  Your mortgage needs to have the flexibility to do what you need which often isn’t possible with low rate basic home loans eg redraw, offsetting interest without hefty fees for doing so.

Home Equity: When property prices increase in value at a significant rate. e.g. a home you bought for $600,000 five years ago, might now be worth $800,000. Refinancing your mortgage and tapping into that extra $200,000 equity can help you purchase an investment property and help you build wealth.

So let’s have a look at your mortgage and see what it’s doing for you!

http://www.mortgageandfinancehelp.com.au/re-financing/when-would-i-refinance-my-mortgage/


Offset Accounts

Offset accounts and redraw facilities work in similar ways as they both allow you to reduce the balance of your home loan therefore reducing the interest charged by applying extra money to your debt.
Deciding between an offset account and a redraw facility on your home loan largely depends on how accessible you need your extra money to be. This is something we help our clients navigate.


Home Loan Exit Fees

Exit and early termination fees on your mortgage can put the brakes on your plans to sell, to refinance, and to renovate or purchase an investment property.
Consider your future goals. Do you have plans to move city or change your job? Are there any foreseeable disruptions to your financial circumstance likely to take place during the space of your fixed-term rate?
To avoid being caught out by fees and charges, speak to me first.


Are you a Property Investor?

Property investors should always be on the lookout for the locations where the greatest potential for capital growth lies.

Some of the signs of potential future growth are: new infrastructure such as new roads and transport, redevelopment of retail centres, and lifestyle amenities such as new recreational centres, café villages and restaurants. Population growth and employment. So where and when do you buy? I can help you with that.


RBA Drops Cash Rate to all time Low of 2%

The Reserve Bank has decided to cut the cash rate with a further cut this May reflecting continuing concerns over the state of the national economy.
• Official rates cut as economy remains weak and dollar rises
• Easing cycle now in full swing
• Housing market activity rising as confidence lifts with falling rates
• More cuts likely if economy fails to revive

I’ll say it again, there’s never been a better time to save money on your mortgage. Please contact us if you would like a complimentary comparison of your mortgage against the current market or if you are looking to purchase a property.


To Fix or Not to Fix with rates as low as 4.69%

Countries including the US and UK offer much longer fixed rate loans periods with some spanning up to 30 years, but these long fixed-rate loan terms are yet to arrive in Australia.

Former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser, told News Corp this week that as low international interest rates have eased pressure on costs for the main lenders, they should be reflecting that in their interest rates independent of whatever the Reserve Bank will be doing.

We are telling our customers to let us take a good look at what’s on offer for them and there’s a lot to offer!


RBA Leaves Cash Rate at 2.5%

At its meeting today, the RBA decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5%. Good time to look at your mortgage. Give us a call and we can do this for you. Full commentary is below:

“Growth in the global economy is continuing at a moderate pace, helped by firmer conditions in the advanced countries. China’s growth appears to have slowed a little in early 2014 but remains generally in line with policymakers’ objectives. Commodity prices in historical terms remain high, but some of those important to Australia have continued to decline of late.

Financial conditions overall remain very accommodative. Long-term interest rates have fallen further and risk spreads remain low. Emerging market economies are once again receiving capital inflows. Volatility in many financial prices is currently unusually low. Markets appear to be attaching a very low probability to any rise in global interest rates over the period ahead.

In Australia, the economy grew at a below-trend pace in 2013 overall, but growth looks to have been somewhat firmer around the turn of the year. This has resulted partly from very strong increases in resource exports as new capacity has come on stream, but smaller increases in such exports are likely in coming quarters. Moderate growth has been occurring in consumer demand and a strong expansion in housing construction is now under way. At the same time, resources sector investment spending is set to decline significantly. Signs of improvement in investment intentions in some other sectors are emerging, but these plans remain tentative, as firms wait for more evidence of improved conditions before committing to significant expansion. Public spending is scheduled to be subdued.

There has been some improvement in indicators for the labour market in recent months, but it will probably be some time yet before unemployment declines consistently. Recent data confirm that growth in wages has declined noticeably. If these and other domestic costs remain contained, inflation should remain consistent with the target over the next one to two years, even with lower levels of the exchange rate.

Monetary policy remains accommodative. Interest rates are very low and for some borrowers have edged lower over recent months. Savers continue to look for higher returns in response to low rates on safe instruments. Credit growth has picked up a little. Dwelling prices have increased significantly over the past year, though there have been some signs of a moderation in the pace of increase recently. The earlier decline in the exchange rate is assisting in achieving balanced growth in the economy, but less so than previously as a result of the higher levels over the past few months. The exchange rate remains high by historical standards, particularly given the further decline in commodity prices.

Looking ahead, continued accommodative monetary policy should provide support to demand, and help growth to strengthen over time. Inflation is expected to be consistent with the 2–3 per cent target over the next two years.

In the Board’s judgement, monetary policy is appropriately configured to foster sustainable growth in demand and inflation outcomes consistent with the target. On present indications, the most prudent course is likely to be a period of stability in interest rates.”


Suburbs in Australia Best Suited for Family Living April 2014

The top 100 family-friendly locations were assembled by RP Data taking into account including property prices, size of land, average number of bedrooms, proximity to amenities like schools, shopping and health care, and capital gains over time.

The number one suburb for families in metropolitan areas was Kingston in Tasmania, with a median price of $350,000.

Melbourne comprised 31% of the top 100, then Brisbane (22%), Sydney (21%), Adelaide (12%), Hobart (9%), Perth (4%) and Darwin (1%).

The best ranking Sydney suburb was Forestville, ranked 25. Areas in the Blue Mountains made up a large proportion of the Sydney top 20 list, largely due to affordability and block sizes.

The most highly ranked family suburb in Melbourne was Taylors Lakes.

Morayfield was the winner for Brisbane families. Half of the suburbs in Brisbane’s top 20 most family friendly suburbs have a median house price under $400,000.

Aberfoyle Park was the winner for Adelaide with a median price under $500,000. Adelaide, based on median house price, is the most affordable mainland capital city.

Canberra performed poorly not registering a single suburb in the top 100 list.


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