Australian Mortgage and Loan Information

Australian Bureau of Statistics, population data for the 12 months ending June 2009 shows that, Australia’s population has posted its highest 12 month gain in 40 years. Our population exploded by approximately 443,000 or 2.1% to 21,875,000. Even though we are down on the new baby count, the fact that we are living longer has helped this figure along as has the approximately 286,000 new migrants.

I interpret this data to mean that our residential property market will bounce back strongly over the medium to long term particularly in the beachside and leafy established suburbs.

My mail is a good percentage of the migrants are reasonably well healed folk looking for a little sunshine and a little less militant religious fervor.

Consider taking on a little debt and get yourself a piece of this good earth is my tip. I will not be surprised if values doubled in these areas over the next 5 to 10 years, because of demand.

Find a decent mortgage broker you can make a professional conection with. Even consider an equity finance mortgage. Remember, if the property value doubles, you will be sitting pretty.

I also recomend you take some insurance on your income and look to diversify your income.  A hobby can sometimes be a great way to supplement your family income.

Pay off your mortgage using the internet and your home pc.

I received the following email from my mortgage broker today. Because of my diverse income streams I used lo doc for one of my loans. He is touting for business I am sure, but the letter also drives home the fact that we have a very different lending environment going forward into 2010.

Here’s the letter:

“I am sending you this email to advise you of some SIGNIFICANT changes that have occurred in the Low Doc market over the last few months.

4/ If you want to buy another Investment property”

I personally think we are returning to the nasty old days like in the 70’s, this means less people able to get loans and a stagnant property sector. I hope I am wrong. Take a look at interest rates in the 70’s, they are high, but not that bad. People just could not get a loan and banks were stupidly tough with lending. However the bankers of that day did not enjoy the extreme bonuses of their counterparts today, so I am guessing the rouges of Martin Place and Collins Street will find a way to gain from others misery.

Now, may just be the time to fix some of your loans for a year or two.

Slide in Australian Property Values to continue

Following recent warnings by the OECD that Australian house prices are grossly overpriced, it is worth noting the comments of finance managers in Australia.

Standard and Poors credit rating agency recently reported that 10% of mortgages in Australia are in arrears, including nearly 5% that are more than 90 days in arrears. It is only to be expected that as unemployment rises and interest rates start to increase this figure will worsen.

John Symond of Aussie Home Loans was reported as saying that even a 1% rise in home loan rates could have a devastating impact on borrowers and he advised borrowers to be cautious and not over commit. He predicted that South Australian property values would fall in the next 12 months by 10% and that values would continue to fall for a further 3 years.

Home owners under stress because of unemployment and rising interest rates could flood the market and force house prices to drop drastically if (when) rates rise in the next 18 months.

Australian household debt stands at $605 billion so Australians would do well to heed the warning from the OECD. While industry leaders are starting to speak out in Australia, our Reserve Bank has not issued any strong warnings. Borrowers may have become complacent due to the temporary drop and plateau in rates but many experts are predicting rates to rise again in 2010.

Borrowers who are going to be under pressure when interest rates rise 1 to 2% would be well advised to take preventative action now, rather than waiting and being forced to sell in a declining market.