Do you have useful tips and tricks (or just something funny - we love funny stuff, see below)that you would like to share?
We'd love to know! Just email Sophia, info@acphomeloans.com.au, and we'll get them online for you. Easy as that!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Share it with us...
Do you have useful tips and tricks (or just something funny - we love funny stuff, see below)that you would like to share?
We'd love to know! Just email Sophia, info@acphomeloans.com.au, and we'll get them online for you. Easy as that!
Tips for moving with kids
Moving home is a huge stress on the entire family especially if you have kids as part of the process. It can also be an extremely stressful time for your kids. Here are some things to help you out when moving into your new home.
Plan your move
It is important to include the kids in the moving process. Let them know when moving day is and what they should expect. They are also moving out of their home, and it is important to manage their feelings and fears for the move. If possible, take them to the new house so they can see where they will be living and get excited about the change.
Keep the idea of moving positive, talk about the positive aspects of moving and try to exclude them from the stress of it all. If they are moving into a new area, let them say goodbye to their friends in the area so they have closure. This will also decrease the amount of anxiety they feel about the change.
Moving day
If it is possible, organise for family or friends to look after your kids on moving day. This will mean you have one less thing to worry about on the day. When packing make sure you have access to all the items your children will need e.g. nappies, medication, blankets, pyjamas etc. It is a good idea to pack an overnight bag for each of the children so that they have all the essentials handy.
Get older children involved in the process; this is a great way to keep them feeling positive about the move and also for them to give you a helping hand. Let them be in charge of packing their items, so they can understand the process and learn from it.
Keep snacks and drinks handy so you don’t need to worry about finding food and drinks on the day for the kids.
The new house
As this is a new environment your kids may not know the safe areas to play. Make sure you take them around the home and outline the best places to play and also point out any potential hazards.
To reduce the anxiety of the new home, set up a routine from day one, show them around the new neighborhood and talk to them about the new house and the changes.
Plan your move
It is important to include the kids in the moving process. Let them know when moving day is and what they should expect. They are also moving out of their home, and it is important to manage their feelings and fears for the move. If possible, take them to the new house so they can see where they will be living and get excited about the change.
Keep the idea of moving positive, talk about the positive aspects of moving and try to exclude them from the stress of it all. If they are moving into a new area, let them say goodbye to their friends in the area so they have closure. This will also decrease the amount of anxiety they feel about the change.
Moving day
If it is possible, organise for family or friends to look after your kids on moving day. This will mean you have one less thing to worry about on the day. When packing make sure you have access to all the items your children will need e.g. nappies, medication, blankets, pyjamas etc. It is a good idea to pack an overnight bag for each of the children so that they have all the essentials handy.
Get older children involved in the process; this is a great way to keep them feeling positive about the move and also for them to give you a helping hand. Let them be in charge of packing their items, so they can understand the process and learn from it.
Keep snacks and drinks handy so you don’t need to worry about finding food and drinks on the day for the kids.
The new house
As this is a new environment your kids may not know the safe areas to play. Make sure you take them around the home and outline the best places to play and also point out any potential hazards.
To reduce the anxiety of the new home, set up a routine from day one, show them around the new neighborhood and talk to them about the new house and the changes.
6 tips for successful property investment
Low vacancy rates, rising rents and the stabilising of property prices in most states are a great opportunity for Australians to consider buying an investment property. Great gains can be made from purchasing property if you buy in the right place at the right time
We suggests the following 6 tips for those looking to invest their hard earned money in a piece of Australia.
1. Create a long-term property portfolio plan
Realise that investing in property is usually a long-term strategy. Always ensure you are comfortable with the advantages and disadvantages associated with a particular investment asset. Consider your goals and all possible outcomes.
2. Consider all costs & positive vs. negative gearing
Keep in mind that the interest and related expenses you incur (such as repairs and maintenance) are tax deductible. If your loan repayments, fees and other costs exceed your rental income, the net loss can be offset against other income you derive, meaning you will be able to reduce the amount of tax payable on your other income. This is called negative gearing. Or, you may consider positive gearing, where the annual rental income received from the property covers or is higher than the annual loan repayments and costs.
3. Think about buying with friends, family or work colleagues
More and more Australians are taking advantage of pooling their resources with people they know in order to get into the property market or increase their property market ‘wealth’. With myriad lender and home loan options now in the marketplace, all it takes for applicants to have their application approved is the ability to meet home loan repayment requirements
4. Choose a loan tailored to your current needsDepending on your monetary situation and current investment portfolio, there are a range of property loan products for you to consider. Apply for a loan that suits your current needs and lifestyle because you can always refinance later.
5. Use a buyers agent/property finderSeek advice about the type of investment property that will maximise your investment. Buyers’ agents know the market better than most and are a valuable resource to use for advice or for negotiating with property sellers and/or their agents.
6. Visit a financial advisor and/or accountantYou need to discuss your full monetary situation with someone who is very experienced with clients who have a range of investment assets because you need to make sure that your financial situation is improved by an investment property and that you can afford repayments without stretching the budget uncomfortably.
To find out more about what loan suits your needs, arrange an appointment with us and we will help you choose the right loan for your lifestyle. Secure your future today!
We suggests the following 6 tips for those looking to invest their hard earned money in a piece of Australia.
1. Create a long-term property portfolio plan
Realise that investing in property is usually a long-term strategy. Always ensure you are comfortable with the advantages and disadvantages associated with a particular investment asset. Consider your goals and all possible outcomes.
2. Consider all costs & positive vs. negative gearing
Keep in mind that the interest and related expenses you incur (such as repairs and maintenance) are tax deductible. If your loan repayments, fees and other costs exceed your rental income, the net loss can be offset against other income you derive, meaning you will be able to reduce the amount of tax payable on your other income. This is called negative gearing. Or, you may consider positive gearing, where the annual rental income received from the property covers or is higher than the annual loan repayments and costs.
3. Think about buying with friends, family or work colleagues
More and more Australians are taking advantage of pooling their resources with people they know in order to get into the property market or increase their property market ‘wealth’. With myriad lender and home loan options now in the marketplace, all it takes for applicants to have their application approved is the ability to meet home loan repayment requirements
4. Choose a loan tailored to your current needsDepending on your monetary situation and current investment portfolio, there are a range of property loan products for you to consider. Apply for a loan that suits your current needs and lifestyle because you can always refinance later.
5. Use a buyers agent/property finderSeek advice about the type of investment property that will maximise your investment. Buyers’ agents know the market better than most and are a valuable resource to use for advice or for negotiating with property sellers and/or their agents.
6. Visit a financial advisor and/or accountantYou need to discuss your full monetary situation with someone who is very experienced with clients who have a range of investment assets because you need to make sure that your financial situation is improved by an investment property and that you can afford repayments without stretching the budget uncomfortably.
To find out more about what loan suits your needs, arrange an appointment with us and we will help you choose the right loan for your lifestyle. Secure your future today!
Non-bank lender sees surge in activity
Improved funding and renewed confidence in the non-bank sector has seen an upswing in volumes for the mortgage management sector according to Australian First Mortgage.
After suffering a torrid two years the non-bank sector is beginning to see some growth retuning to volumes according to Australian First Mortgage (AFM) director of sales and marketing Iain Forbes.
AFM reported record settlements in August, September and October.
“We had a record month in August and then beat that month by $5 million in settlements in September,” Mr Forbes told Mortgage Business.
“However, we then beat September by $10 million in settlements and the forecasts for November already look positive.”
To cope with the record settlements, AFM decided to ramp up its staff numbers to include another five employees in NSW, Victoria and SA.
Mr Forbes credits the businesses rapid growth to improvements in the economy and a return in borrower confidence.
“At the beginning of the global financial crisis, borrowers were reluctant to trust the non-bank sector. However, since the acquisition of Challenger by NAB, I have seen a renewed sense of confidence in borrowers,” Mr Forbes said.
Support from brokers for the non-bank sector also remains strong.
The September Mortgage Business quarterly sentiment survey revealed that of the 377 respondents, 75.3 per cent expected that they would recommend a non-bank product over the coming quarter – up from 72.1 per cent the previous quarter.
After suffering a torrid two years the non-bank sector is beginning to see some growth retuning to volumes according to Australian First Mortgage (AFM) director of sales and marketing Iain Forbes.
AFM reported record settlements in August, September and October.
“We had a record month in August and then beat that month by $5 million in settlements in September,” Mr Forbes told Mortgage Business.
“However, we then beat September by $10 million in settlements and the forecasts for November already look positive.”
To cope with the record settlements, AFM decided to ramp up its staff numbers to include another five employees in NSW, Victoria and SA.
Mr Forbes credits the businesses rapid growth to improvements in the economy and a return in borrower confidence.
“At the beginning of the global financial crisis, borrowers were reluctant to trust the non-bank sector. However, since the acquisition of Challenger by NAB, I have seen a renewed sense of confidence in borrowers,” Mr Forbes said.
Support from brokers for the non-bank sector also remains strong.
The September Mortgage Business quarterly sentiment survey revealed that of the 377 respondents, 75.3 per cent expected that they would recommend a non-bank product over the coming quarter – up from 72.1 per cent the previous quarter.
Planners get slapped with educational requirements
It is not just brokers who are being pushed towards tougher licensing requirements; financial planners will soon also be required to have tertiary qualifications in order to give advice to clients, under changes proposed by the Financial Planning Association (FPA).
According to FPA’s chief executive Jo-Anne Bloch, the minimum legal training standard for planners is unacceptable and fails to protect consumers.
Ms Bloch is expected to announce tough new rules for financial planners in a speech to FPA’s annual conference in Melbourne later today.
Some of the new rules include a national examination and accreditation process and compulsory ethics training.
“Consumers should have confidence the advisor they are trusting with their financial future has a solid educational background, sufficient technical and practical knowledge and an ethical, professional orientation that ensures reliable, quality advice,” Ms Bloch said.
According to FPA’s chief executive Jo-Anne Bloch, the minimum legal training standard for planners is unacceptable and fails to protect consumers.
Ms Bloch is expected to announce tough new rules for financial planners in a speech to FPA’s annual conference in Melbourne later today.
Some of the new rules include a national examination and accreditation process and compulsory ethics training.
“Consumers should have confidence the advisor they are trusting with their financial future has a solid educational background, sufficient technical and practical knowledge and an ethical, professional orientation that ensures reliable, quality advice,” Ms Bloch said.
Rate hike likely in December :(
Brokers are factoring further rate rises in to their calculations as the Reserve Bank looks set to lift the official cash rate again in December.
The Reserve Bank has already lifted the official cash rate by 25 basis points twice over the past two months, after it became evident that the Australian economy was improving.
In the minutes of its November meeting, released earlier this week, the Reserve Bank talked of the need for the gradual adjustment of its cash rate, heightening speculation surrounding another rate hike next month.
“Looking ahead, members expect that if economic conditions evolve as expected, further gradual adjustment in the cash rate would most likely be appropriate over time, though the pace of the adjustment remains an open question,” the minutes read.
NAB’s chief economist Alan Oster said he expected the Reserve Bank to raise the official cash rate by 25 basis points each month until March 2010.
“I expect the Reserve Bank to lift the official cash rate to 4.25 per cent by March 2010,” Mr Oster said.
“After this, I expect the Reserve Bank to pause for around six months before delivering progressive 50 basis point rises until rates are back to neutral.”
The Reserve Bank has already lifted the official cash rate by 25 basis points twice over the past two months, after it became evident that the Australian economy was improving.
In the minutes of its November meeting, released earlier this week, the Reserve Bank talked of the need for the gradual adjustment of its cash rate, heightening speculation surrounding another rate hike next month.
“Looking ahead, members expect that if economic conditions evolve as expected, further gradual adjustment in the cash rate would most likely be appropriate over time, though the pace of the adjustment remains an open question,” the minutes read.
NAB’s chief economist Alan Oster said he expected the Reserve Bank to raise the official cash rate by 25 basis points each month until March 2010.
“I expect the Reserve Bank to lift the official cash rate to 4.25 per cent by March 2010,” Mr Oster said.
“After this, I expect the Reserve Bank to pause for around six months before delivering progressive 50 basis point rises until rates are back to neutral.”
Climbing rents good news for investors
Property investors looking for an immediate return on their investment are flocking to the eastern suburbs of Sydney where house rents are soaring.
According to figures from RP Data, Rose Bay in Sydney recorded the greatest annual growth in house rents, with a 58.3 per cent increase.
Over the 12 months, median weekly advertised rents in the suburb increased from $600 per week to $850 per week.
A list of the top five areas with best rental growth compiled by rpdata.com research analyst Cameron Kusher showed a fairly even split between high and low priced suburbs, with many New South Wales, Victorian and Western Australian suburbs having higher price tags while other states recorded a mixture of higher and lower priced stock.
Mr Kusher said it was not surprising to see the best performing suburbs tended to be in the capital city cities.
For the unit market, West End in Brisbane achieved the greatest jump in median weekly advertised rents, increasing by 39.4 per cent from $330 per week to $460 per week.
According to figures from RP Data, Rose Bay in Sydney recorded the greatest annual growth in house rents, with a 58.3 per cent increase.
Over the 12 months, median weekly advertised rents in the suburb increased from $600 per week to $850 per week.
A list of the top five areas with best rental growth compiled by rpdata.com research analyst Cameron Kusher showed a fairly even split between high and low priced suburbs, with many New South Wales, Victorian and Western Australian suburbs having higher price tags while other states recorded a mixture of higher and lower priced stock.
Mr Kusher said it was not surprising to see the best performing suburbs tended to be in the capital city cities.
For the unit market, West End in Brisbane achieved the greatest jump in median weekly advertised rents, increasing by 39.4 per cent from $330 per week to $460 per week.
Renters struggle to find property in Sydney
Rental property vacancies remain very tight in Sydney, according to the NSW Real Estate Institute (REINSW).
The REINSW president Steve Martin said Sydney had not experienced an increase in the rental vacancy rate since July 2009.
"In Sydney last month the available rental vacancy rate remained at 1.3 per cent, which means the market remains very tight," Mr Martin said.
“Sydney’s middle suburbs fared better with a 0.1 per cent increase to 1.5 per cent for the month of October, whilst inner suburbs recorded a 0.1 per cent decrease to 1.3 per cent. There was no change in the rental vacancy rate for outer suburbs, which remained at 1.0 per cent.
“The news was slightly better in Wollongong with the city recording a good increase in available properties for the month. Wollongong recorded a 0.2 per cent increase to 1.8 per cent, which is the highest result recorded since April 2009.
“Newcastle remained unchanged at 1.6 per cent."
Mr Martin said investment in rental properties had improved over the later part of this year with lower interest rates and good rental income enticing investors into the market.
Unfortunately, this combined with the move of first home buyers out of rental accommodation has not enabled rental supply to match demand.
“As these stimulus factors weaken, and with no sign of demand abating, things will only continue to be difficult for renters over the foreseeable future,” he said.
“The government needs to urgently encourage and incentivize better use of land particularly in the 5 – 10 kilometre radius from Sydney.
“We need a strategic approach in NSW to solve this problem in order to avoid a worse situation in 2010.”
The REINSW president Steve Martin said Sydney had not experienced an increase in the rental vacancy rate since July 2009.
"In Sydney last month the available rental vacancy rate remained at 1.3 per cent, which means the market remains very tight," Mr Martin said.
“Sydney’s middle suburbs fared better with a 0.1 per cent increase to 1.5 per cent for the month of October, whilst inner suburbs recorded a 0.1 per cent decrease to 1.3 per cent. There was no change in the rental vacancy rate for outer suburbs, which remained at 1.0 per cent.
“The news was slightly better in Wollongong with the city recording a good increase in available properties for the month. Wollongong recorded a 0.2 per cent increase to 1.8 per cent, which is the highest result recorded since April 2009.
“Newcastle remained unchanged at 1.6 per cent."
Mr Martin said investment in rental properties had improved over the later part of this year with lower interest rates and good rental income enticing investors into the market.
Unfortunately, this combined with the move of first home buyers out of rental accommodation has not enabled rental supply to match demand.
“As these stimulus factors weaken, and with no sign of demand abating, things will only continue to be difficult for renters over the foreseeable future,” he said.
“The government needs to urgently encourage and incentivize better use of land particularly in the 5 – 10 kilometre radius from Sydney.
“We need a strategic approach in NSW to solve this problem in order to avoid a worse situation in 2010.”
Australia’s cheapest suburbs revealed!
With the official cash rate expected to steadily increase over the coming months, more homebuyers will seek properties in affordable suburbs, according to Australian Property Monitors (APM).
According to a list compiled by APM, the nation’s most affordable suburbs are Coonamble in NSW, which has an average home value of $77,500, Coober Pedy and Fisherman Bay in South Australia, which average $81,500 and $92,000 respectively, St Arnaud, Morwell and Red Cliffs in Victoria and Hughenden in Queensland, which has an average property price of $99,000.
Research manager for APM, Yvonne Chan said investors and first home buyers obviously need to stick with affordable properties to enter the market - but the key to long term price growth is purchasing within 5km of the capital city's CBD where rental demand will always be strong.
"First home buyers can turn their first home into an investment property later on if they buy well in the first place," Ms Chan said.
"If you can't afford close to the city, then stay close to universities or train stations where rental demand will always be strong and help values grow."
When it comes to choosing the best states to live in, Tasmania is the cheapest for homeowners.
In Tasmania the average mortgage of $191,700 is 3.2 times the average male income of $59,872.
Cheapest suburbs:
Coonamble NSW $77,500
Coober Pedy SA $81,500
Fisherman Bay SA $92,000
Rosebery TAS $92,000
Hughenden QLD $99,000
Fern Bay NSW $110,000
Kandos NSW $110,000
St Arnaud VIC $115,000
Morwell VIC $118,500
Red Cliffs VIC $119,000
Most expensive suburbs:
Toorak VIC $6,250,000
Bellevue Hill NSW $5,000,000
Bayview NSW $4,425,000
Vaucluse NSW $4,350,000
Dalkeith WA $3,846,500
Mosman NSW $3,750,000
Clontarf NSW $3,725,000
Brighton VIC $3,250,000
Paradise Point QLD $3,200,000
Killara NSW $2,850,000
According to a list compiled by APM, the nation’s most affordable suburbs are Coonamble in NSW, which has an average home value of $77,500, Coober Pedy and Fisherman Bay in South Australia, which average $81,500 and $92,000 respectively, St Arnaud, Morwell and Red Cliffs in Victoria and Hughenden in Queensland, which has an average property price of $99,000.
Research manager for APM, Yvonne Chan said investors and first home buyers obviously need to stick with affordable properties to enter the market - but the key to long term price growth is purchasing within 5km of the capital city's CBD where rental demand will always be strong.
"First home buyers can turn their first home into an investment property later on if they buy well in the first place," Ms Chan said.
"If you can't afford close to the city, then stay close to universities or train stations where rental demand will always be strong and help values grow."
When it comes to choosing the best states to live in, Tasmania is the cheapest for homeowners.
In Tasmania the average mortgage of $191,700 is 3.2 times the average male income of $59,872.
Cheapest suburbs:
Coonamble NSW $77,500
Coober Pedy SA $81,500
Fisherman Bay SA $92,000
Rosebery TAS $92,000
Hughenden QLD $99,000
Fern Bay NSW $110,000
Kandos NSW $110,000
St Arnaud VIC $115,000
Morwell VIC $118,500
Red Cliffs VIC $119,000
Most expensive suburbs:
Toorak VIC $6,250,000
Bellevue Hill NSW $5,000,000
Bayview NSW $4,425,000
Vaucluse NSW $4,350,000
Dalkeith WA $3,846,500
Mosman NSW $3,750,000
Clontarf NSW $3,725,000
Brighton VIC $3,250,000
Paradise Point QLD $3,200,000
Killara NSW $2,850,000
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