Australian Mortgage and Loan Information

It is official, banks are making it tougher to get a home mortgage.

Despite the bail out from the Federal Government to free up lending, it seems some of our major banks have not got the message. A client reported to me today that she had been knocked back for a home loan by her bank (One of the Big Four), despite only looking to borrow a maximum LVR of 77%.

LVR is the abbreviation for the lending term Loan to Valuation Ratio. Like other ratios LVR is expressed as a percentage and is calculated by dividing the amount you need to borrow by the lenders valuation of the property used as security.

Eg if want to borrow $400,000 and your property is valued at $500,000. LVR would be (400,000/$500,000)x100 = 80% Generally an LVR of less than 80% is attractive to most mortgage lenders. The higher the LVR the riskier the proposition for the mortgage lender.

Now there are many reasons why a mortgage lender declines an application, but after reviewing the details I am at a loss to understand their decision and have referred my client to my mortgage broker. I will report further on this matter.

So is this an indication of how the major lenders are going to react to the current crisis? I hope not. The bail out and deposit guarantee was provided so they would lend money and help the economy grow. Could it be they are now a bit gun shy? A smaller bank I could understand, but the big four must do their bit. They have been taking for a long time, it is now time to give a little back.

Please don’t be discouraged if you ever get a knock back from a home loan mortgage lender. Get yourself a competent mortgage broker. They will go the extra mile for you, leave no stone unturned, in their efforts to help you get the home finance you need.

Low Doc Home Loan/Mortgage for Debt Consolidation?

The credit turmoil has lead to some radical changes in the way home loan lenders assess home loan applications. Lo doc loans have come under greater scutiny, but what are they and what are they good for?

Low Doc (short for Low Document) home loans are targeted at contractors and the self-employed, who often lack current tax returns and financial records. Traditionally it has been more difficult for the self employed to obtain loans because banks had a preference for borrowers on guaranteed (ie PAYE) incomes and yes they are still available.

A Low Doc Home Loan will help borrowers with irregular cash flow or who may not have current tax returns and financial statements, providing they have sufficient equity in an existing property or other assets. In some case’s wage earners can also access low doc home loans.

My big tip for any one considering a low doc home loan for debt consolidation, is to make sure you have kept all their credit cards, store accounts and current home loan in order for atleast the last six months. It will be difficult for your mortgage broker to obtain finance for you if you have been erratic with your payments or flippant with your credit rating.

Low Doc loans can be variable or fixed rate loans, or lines of credit, and may include an offset facility.

Low Document loans can attract a higher rate of interest than other types of loans because lenders perceive the risk involved to be greater.

Because the employment situation in Australia is changing, bank and non-bank lenders have had to become more flexible in their approach to lending and so Low Doc loans are becoming more common.

Features of Low Doc Loans
The Low Doc loan is usually just a standard fixed or variable rate loan, but with different credit criteria i.e. low documentation.

Since full documentation is not required the risk to the lender is higher and this is reflected in the interest rate and maximum loan-to-valuation ratio (LVR) of 65 – 80%. Interest rates are often 0.5% to 1% higher than standard loans depending on risk but competition is bringing rates down and the rate is often reduced once you have established a good track record of repayments. Still, Lenders Mortgage Insurance is not normally required on loans under 80% LVR.

Other useful features can include offset accounts, redraw facility, direct salary crediting, portability and repayment options depending on the lender and type of loan.

Benefits of Low Doc Loans
Specifically designed for self-employed and contactors with good credit records.
Low documentation requirement (This does not mean no documentation!)
Feature rich depending on type of loan selected

Tips and strategies
Shop around because interest rates and LVR can vary significantly between lenders
Avoid loans with monthly account fees
Making weekly or fortnightly repayments pays your loan off faster than monthly payments because you are making 1 or 2 extra repayments per year
When interest rates drop retain current repayment levels
Have your personal income paid into your loan account to reduce interest and use the interest free period on a credit card for purchases before paying the credit card bill from the loan account
Put lump sum payments like tax refunds into your loan account. If required later, use the redraw facility.

Example Rates and Fees
Variable Rate Home Loan (June 2008):
Monthly fee $10
Annual fee NIL
Redraw fee $50
Extra Payment fee NIL
Fixing fee NIL
Low Rate 7.97% std. variable
CCR 8.08%*
*Based on $250,000 Loan over 25 years.

See your finance or mortgage broker for more details.

Free money from the government.

Australians aged 18 and over at last have some help to save for their first home. The First Home Buyers Deposit Saver Scheme became a reality today as the first accounts were made available by a couple of the major banks.

The scheme essentially provides the opportunity for free money from the government. The more you can save for a deposit on your first home the less likely you will be slugged mortgage lenders insurance by your home loan lender. If you can keep your lvr below 80%, that is have a deposit of at least 20%, you can save thousands.

You could use the money not wasted on lenders mortgage insurance to furnish your new home.

Here are the facts:

The following is an extract from the official fact sheet presented by the Government of Australia Treasury 2008.

First Home Saver Accounts – Fact Sheet -

Account Holders Overview:

First Home Saver Accounts (FHSAs) are the first of their kind in Australia and will provide a simple, tax effective way for Australians to save for their first home through a combination of Government contributions and low taxes.

Eligibility
An individual can open an account if they: are aged 18 or over and under 65;
have not previously purchased or built a first home in which to live; do not have, or have not previously had, a First Home Saver Account; and provide their tax file number to the provider.
Penalties will apply if a person opens an account where they are not eligible to do so.

Contribution arrangements
Contributions may be made by the account holder or another party, such as an employer, on behalf of the account holder. Contributions will be made from after-tax income. The Government will make additional contributions which will be paid directly into the account, after the individual has lodged their tax return and the provider has submitted the relevant information to the ATO. The Government will contribute 17 per cent on the first $5,000 (indexed) of individual contributions made each year. This means an individual contributing $5,000 will receive a Government contribution of $850. No minimum annual deposit is needed to keep the account open. The account can remain open for as long as necessary or until the account holder turns 65, at which time it must be closed.

Level of tax on accounts
Contributions will not be subject to tax when contributed to an account. Investment earnings (or interest) will be taxed at a rate of 15 per cent. Withdrawals will be tax free. FHSA balances will be exempt from the income and assets test.

Account balance limit
There will be a limit of $75,000 (indexed) on the overall account balance. If an individual reaches the account balance cap, no further individual contributions will be able to be made. Earnings and any outstanding Government contributions will still be able to be credited to the account after this time.
Contributions that exceed the limit will be returned to the account holder.

Four-year savings horizon
To withdraw their funds, minimum contributions of $1,000 need to be made over the course of at least four separate financial years. If an account holder is purchasing a property with another individual(s) who also holds an account, only one account holder needs to meet the four-year requirement. If one person meets this, then the other individual(s) can also withdraw their funds.

Withdrawals for a first home purchase
Individuals will be able to withdraw their account balance tax free to buy or build a first home in which to live. The full amount will need to be withdrawn and the account closed. The individual will need to live in the home for at least 6 months within the first 12 months of purchase or completion of construction. Individuals can close their account and contribute the full amount to superannuation at any time. Penalties will apply to individuals where they fail to meet the withdrawal or occupancy criteria.

Other circumstances
Where an individual’s circumstances change during the life of the account so that they no longer wish to purchase a first home, they will not be able to access the account but can transfer the balance into superannuation and close the account. Penalties will apply if funds are withdrawn and not used to purchase a first home in which to live. If an individual moves overseas, they can continue to make contributions into the account, but will not receive any Government contributions. Individuals will be able to access their funds tax free once they reach age 60, consistent with superannuation.

Early release provisions
By transferring the account balance into superannuation, individuals may apply to access the superannuation early release provisions of severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds or terminal illness.

Account providers
Public-offer superannuation providers, life insurers, friendly societies, banks, building societies and credit unions will be able to offer the accounts. Banks, building societies and credit unions will be able to offer deposit accounts and superannuation providers, life insurers and friendly societies will be able to offer investment-linked accounts.

Anyone who is eligible should pursue this opportunity. Parents should encourage children, grand parents should encourage grand children. Speak to your mortgage broker, visit your bank or credit union. Get it happening, its free money.

Useful resources for preparing to take out a home loan or purchase a property are listed below.

Educating yourself in the different aspects of purchasing a property is the only way to guarantee that you get the best possible deal. Nearly all the other players involved in your property related transaction have their own interests at heart and you are fooling yourself if you think otherwise.

With the large amount of money involved it is a case of “Buyer Beware”. No amount of government or industry regulation is going to protect you from making errors or mistakes.

Use the following resources to increase your knowledge and help you in making decisions. Buy a couple of good books from our recommended list – they contain a wealth of information that would take a lifetime to accumulate, and the cost is insignificant compared to the money lost if you get things wrong. Find out what LVR is? It is an important term.

The resources listed below are all resources that I have used myself and have personal experience with, including the books which I own, have read, and regularly refer to as I buy and sell property. Internalising this mortgage, home loan and property information will also help you decide which professionals you make part of your property wealth creating team.

Home Loan Resources
Home Loan Rates
Information on current home loan interest rates in Australia.
Borrowers Check List
What you need to have ready before you approach a lender or mortgage broker.
Credit Comparison Rates
All loans are not equal so how do you compare loans?
Mortgage Calculators
Check out different mortgage repayment scenarios. See also the PC based software and loan calculators below.
Property Related Web-sites
Australian web-sites with useful resources.
Loan/Mortgage Brokers
Helpful Brokers who will find the best loan for your personal circumstances.
Recommended Books
A book list and reviews of Property related books by Australian Authors.
Mortgage Calculator – PC based software
The banks do not want you to use this software because of the refunds they have had to make to users. If you have an existing mortgage then it will pay you to buy this particular mortgage calculator instead of using the free bank calculators. Not only can you do “what if” scenario’s but you can check whether the bank has been ripping you off with your mortgage.

Loan Calculators | Australia

Debt Consolidation refinance of your mortgage can lower your monthly loan repayments and reduce mortgage stress for borrowers with multiple loans.

Mortgage stress in Australia has highlighted the need for Aussie home borrowers to consolidate their mortgage, credit card debt, store cards, personal loan and and car finance into one loan. Aussie home owners looking to refinance and consolidate debt comprise between 11% and 15% of all finance applications in Australia in any given month.

If you have equity in your own property to borrow against it may be possible to use debt consolidation to reduce your collective payments by as much as 50%. Home Loan Interest rates have never been as high as the 20% plus rate charged by some store accounts and credit cards, so a loan consolidation refinance to your home loan mortgage may help you regain control of your finances.

The key is to have sufficient lvr or equity in your home to cover the additional borrowings. It is this equity that provides your lender with security over the extra loans being folded into your mortgage.

For people lacking in financial discipline, debt consolidation, while a very effective risk management strategy, is only part of the solution to their problems. The root cause of the initial problem also needs to be addressed or debt can still spiral out of control.

Get rid of your Credit Cards. Cut them up and close the accounts, or live to regret it! Major Banks and other major lenders in Australia love to hand out Credit Cards, and if you already have one, they try to get you to increase the limit. Don’t do it!

Start saving a Cash nest egg either in a mortgage offset account or high paying at call account for emergencies. Increase the repayment amount on your home loan so the non housing components are paid off as per their original schedule or sooner. Keep your home loan mortgage lender honest! Get some mortgage statement checking software. Speak to a reputable mortage broker about a refinance consolidation home loan if you are finding it hard to meet your monthly loan commitments.