Terry is right… it CAN get even worse… the Australian Broker magazine had an article on the front page to the effect that NAB has called in 3 loans – despite the loans not being in default! The NAB also refused to provide any reason to the borrowers.

Very ugly…

Max Hugen
Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial…[Read more]

Another issue to watch out for, is while ALL lenders will take into account the Margin Loan as a liability, quite a few will not accept the income you derive through dividends etc!

I have a large share portfolio that is heavily but positively geared. A while back I had quite a battle to get a lender to accept a reliable dividend income stream as…[Read more]

As a family man with 2 young kids, I’d pay a premium to live next to a park!

But I’d take care to have some security measures, as per other posts.

Max Hugen [email protected]
Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial Loans
http://www.alphafinancial.com.au
02 9560 3061

Question your accountant thoroughly. As others have pointed out, it should make better sense to pay principal off your home, rather than a tax-deductible investment.

And if your accountant can’t provide you with sound reasons for his recommendation, sack him!

I’ve heard an abundance of total crap come from accountants, as told to me by various…[Read more]

Both Pre-Approvals and Conditional Approvals have their place as the process amy disclose issues/problems.

But never ever sign a contract without Full Approval! Very dangerous!

Re the 2 properties, if not already too late, and assuming serviceability, vals etc are OK, then 2 loans (same lender) will work – each loan is shipped off to different…[Read more]

RE agents CAN be a useful source of info so that you can estimate the valuation of your property – don’t ask them for just an appraisal on your property, but ask for details of recent comparable sales.

After all their “assessments” this is what drives a valuer most anyway.

When I’m about to get my property revalued to increase my loan facility,…[Read more]

First – don’t even think about it! It’s illegal and will catch up with you somehow, sometime.

Second – there are plenty of 100% loans out there – and now one lender doesn’t require any genuine savings at all ( for costs etc). First Home buyers can get a legit loan with extremely little up front.

Don’t ruin your future!

Max Hugen…[Read more]

Just a quick tip for everyone apart from montrose (he might take exception to us “trolls” [}] ) … check the actual locality, not just the postcode!

ING took an application for a locality which shared Taree’s postcode only to drop it at the last moment when they discovered belatedly that the locality wasn’t on their list!

Max Hugen…[Read more]

Fixed rates fluctuate as the future interest rate predictions by their analysts change.

It’s hard to “beat the banks” here.

Some years ago, I benefited for a while during a prolonged downward trend by taking 12 month fixed rates, which were less than the variable at the time. I rolled these twice, so got 3 years of below variable.

Normally…[Read more]

A professional property investor ($12m prime Sydney residential portfolio) had hit the brick wall on serviceability, despite under 40% total gearing!

That’s because of the very low returns currently.

We’re working at financing some unencumbered property using 65% LVR, no income declared and no assets & liabilities declared, at approx 6.85%.

Not…[Read more]

Don’t know that this will be of any help, but you can borrow up to $500k or 65% loan ratio (whichever is lower) WITHOUT disclosing your income or assets & liabilities. Interest rate is very competitive at 6.85% currently.

These could be called an “asset lend”, and with the rise in property prices (and therefore someone’s equity) these loans are…[Read more]

In a very general sense, rural provides a better rental income, but lower capital returns, than city properties.

Overall, city performs best over time.

As to the “no probs” agent, it should be easy enough to research what’s for rent and for how much. Then monitor it for a while, to see if they are really being let at those rentals.

Max Hugen…[Read more]

As far as I know, 99/1 isn’t an issue with the ATO so long as profits are divided appropriately.

However, be aware that some Lenders will shy away from this. Not all, but definitely some! I recently helped 2 brothers get finance. Only one was on title, and they needed both incomes to refinance to get some equity out for investment.

We had to…[Read more]

As a discharged bankrupt, you could borrow up to 85%.

Leigh gave very sound advice – it is critical that you start regular saving. Cut your spending, move if you have to, to cheaper shared accomodation, get rid of the car and use public transport – whatever it takes!

And keep out of debt!

If you can prove to yourself that you have the…[Read more]

Generally speaking, you’re better off looking at arranging mortgages BEFORE you launch into self-employment.

That said though, a number of lenders now cater much better for the self-employed. Feel free to contact me off-forum if you’d like to explore your options.

Max Hugen [email protected]
Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial…[Read more]

Eight nice guys divided by one problem equals eight very shitty guys! [8]

(oops, am I allowed to say that?)

Max Hugen [email protected]
Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial Loans
http://www.alphafinancial.com.au
02 9560 3061

St George will do under 40m2.

But I’d seriously caution you AGAINST buying such a small unit – when it’s time to sell, you’ll realise the next buyer will also have headaches finding finance!

I knocked back offering to help with financing on a Sydney redevelopment (still selling) coz I didn’t want clients coming back to bite me!

Cheers,…[Read more]

G’day from another Sydneysider!

Yes, it’s true that almost all lenders require LMI if LVR > 80%. It’s tied up with APRA and rules on prudential lending.

Cheers, Max

Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial Loans
02 9560 3061

Many loan products allow a switch to fixed rate, so you can certainly start on variable and switch later.

That said, even professional investors can get caught out using fixed rates. “When [rates are] at the bottom…”, ah, if only we had a crystal ball!

There are other disadvantages to fixed rates… after all you’ve promised to pay xyz to a…[Read more]

We can assist with 80% LVR. Please contact me off-forum if you still require help.

Max Hugen

Alpha Financial
Residential & Commercial Loans
02 9560 3061