Without more specifics and your plans, it is hard to give specific recommendations, but as a general rule of thumb……… 1. Pay as much as you can off non deductable debt first (ie your own home) and IO on deductable (ie IP's) 2. If you have paid off your home and have nothing else you plan on doing with your money, and do not wish to buy more, by all means, start paying down your other properties. 3. Depending on what else you plan, a Line of Credit as a loan split or by itself, an all in one type account or offset account (again depending on your future plans) or even a basic no frills cheapy loan (for an IP) could all be relevant to you. My question is however why are you asking for suggestions on restructuring a loan you have only just got? Was it a rush job, or are you not happy with it? Bear in mind, you may have some (will) major break costs or early repayment fees. If you want to give further details, or even find a finance/mortgage broker locally, preferably one that actaully owns some property, I'm sure you will find the answers and suggestions to get the ball rolling for you. All the best…… AND welcome to the forum.
Hey Foundation……Sorry, but I had to type quick – wanted to get down in the shed and try to finish of grafting some plumbing onto the BA Ghia that will enable time travel. Surely I can utilise the satnav somehow………actually, I had my first prototype finished, thought I'd test it out buying some 2001 coastal property, hit the loud pedal………….and……… it cost me $350 and 3 points! Maybe it should be a Delorian…. If it's any consolation, even though it does look like you have plageurised my time machine comment, your post sounded more authoritive than mine?
Hi Moosehead. Yes, some are a pleasure to deal with…..not. As far as calculating your servicability goes, banks will always use P&I on loans you have with them even if IO only….BUT get this. Go to another bank, apply for your next loan, and they will only count your actual loan repayments with the other bank, or sometimes a straight interest value, rather than the P&I rate,( and also loading up the current variable interest rate by 1.5 % or so on all your loans in order to 'assess' you. ) I hope that makes sense? This is why most seasoned investors and brokers recommend structuring your loans with more than one lender for that reason. Weird eh? As an additional sidepoint, one lender in particular will assess you on the current interest rate only (without loading it up) if you take out a fixed interest loan for a minimum of four years. That can make a difference of $20k or so on an average size loan!Bearing in mind all these things may not sound much, but as I guess you are working out now, can definately affect your servicability, and thus borrowing power. And simply put, a lender or bank that only has their own loan product to offer you is not going to explain all that to you. All the best.
(Remember, the drones that do most 'bank lending' are nothing like the 'dummy in mouth replacing fashionably dressed' caring models used in bank TV adds!
Hi Linda. On the FHOG paperwork it asks for all this info, and states (for NSW ) regarding eligibility ' must not have previously owned a residential property anywhere in Aust prior to 1 July 2000' or ' Must not have owned and occupied a residnetial property for a continuous period of at least 6 mths anywhere in Aust after 1 July 2000 (the latter, allowing for investors to have IP without affecting FHOG) So that should clear that up for you. That said, depending on how much they are wanting to borrow, they should easily qualify for a 100% loan, which are fine, and that will mean all they will need is stamp duty and closing costs etc. If on 100k pa they can't do that there are some issues. Even then, there are creative ways of dealing with the vendor that may help, and some lenders (Rams come to mind) will lend up to 110% without paying LMI id a friend or family wish to offer a limited security against their own property……great for the buyer, not so great for parent/friend etc) Let me know if you want any more specific info.
Good on you for the higher income and improved situation. Based on what you have said, I think your second option if you can change makes most sense – change to I/O on existing loan and leave as is. You are on a good rate, and this is then set up nice and flexible for the future – your needs may change. But as you have obviously researched, for a PPOR that 'may become' an IP in future, this is a great way to set it up, using the offset mortgage account along with IO. An LOC is generally used when you want to access funds from your own home, to access equity (for personal or investment usage – which need to be kept seperate too! – in which case I woud suggest a split loan) A $6k break charge woudl take years to recover in any cheaper interest rate you may be able to get at this point for a loan like this! Put your funds towards a new seperate loan for your next property, bearing in mind it makes sense not to have your eggs in one basket with finance/lenders (tsk, what would my lender say!) All the best!
Hi Tim, and welcome to the forum. Those books get you fired up and motorvated alright – and if you check out the date of the book, also makes you wish for a time machine! Positve cashflow properties (where you take tax deductions and depreciation into account) are a bit easier to come by than positively geared ones, but they don't seem to be able to be bought 'off the shelf' now like in the book you read. Take the time to have a browse through some of the other past forum posts, as your sentiments, and a lot of others (including some who beg to differ) have covered this topic in depth. What many new investors aim for now is to try and get a property as close to neautrally geared as possible, and wait for some growth and rent increases to bring into the CF+ area. Of course a lot depneds on where you are prepared to buy, how much time you have on your hands (if any) to revamp and or renovate if a property is bought cheaply, and of course your strategy – which will no doubt change along the way. All the best with your journey.
Great comments Kiwifuller…..and I think you have confimed what I posted earlier when you said ….Quote the yeild is has come down to 6%, You have done well using your combination of Hans info, own skill and a few brave pills, and obviously now reaping the benefits. BUT the current yield you mentioned now based on current valuations/appraisels (if lucky) is generally what new investors are also coming in at – thus making a most of the 'out of the box' 'positive geared' properties virtually non existant without major work, luck, negotiaition, or a combination of all three…..still great in principal though. All the best with your proposed changes in strategy!
HI island girl. I would be inclined to agree…..we recently had an IP tennantless (is that a word?) for just on a month, where rental propertys are very tight, and the PM had plenty of notice to get a new one immediately. WHen I queried, they did explain that they get a ton of applicants still, but many are more trouble than they are worth, and they don't want the headaches either. We did get one, and he seems to have been worth the wait, and wanted a long lease. SOme PM's throught the first applicant in they get, others have slightly higher standards. Couple of extra points…..Often if someone has no rental history, PM's are happy to talk to the agent they sold their last home through, even out of the area, as they can vouch for if it was looked after or not. If they have no rental history and no previous home……mmmm. And make sure you take out Landlord insurance, which is basically BUilding and contents AND tennant protection as well. The tax deductable couple of hundered dollars is essential….and allow you to 'set and forget'. All the best. V8
Hi. I too have looked at Hans stuff – it does look good and legit – however it is the same as Steve Mcknights stuff (the first two books) in that while the principles and strategies are great, unfortunately they were all 'pre -boom' and finding property that comes close to the types mentioned in much of this material is all but impossible now, except in remote or rural areas – and please anyone who wants to disagree, I suggest you re read the respective publications and info again and check out the purchase prices. Most of the properties are $50k specials – not much of that left. However, buying as wisely as possible and trying to maximise rental income will never go out of date that' for sure. All the best.
Hey Darcy. In NSW there is a wealth of FREE info including sell prices, and all past sales history that covers the Illawara Sth Coast area at http://www.allhomes.com.au If only there was a site like this for other areas in Oz. If anyone else knows of one similar, let us all know. I will resist the overwhelming urge to comment on 'Jenman agents', suffice to say many of them are quite unethical also, although NeiliboyJ does have some good ideas – as do others. Not sure why his agents are leaving in droves though – either they want to do more unethical things without Neil watching, or the exhorbant annual fees to be affiliated are crippling them.? . Anyway, that has nothing to do with what you asked eh? See what you think of that website anyway. All the best.
Ah Marcs real life experience reminds me of a similar joke…… A man with testicular issues that had an operation planned for their removal, was very selfconscious about looking no different – so pleaded with the doctor to see if there was anything that could be done to replace the bits planned for removal. With little notice, the doctor did not have many options, so kindly suggested he could replace the mans 'parts' with a couple of reasonbly sized pickled onions. all went well, and looked and felt normal. At the two week check up the doctor asked 'so hows it going – you know, post op, and with your , ah eh, replacement parts.? The man sheepishly replied ' well everythings going well – except , ….you know that feeling you get down below when you see a pretty woman in a short skirt…….I get that everytime I see a salad roll ! '
I think it is worthwhile having a loan with an offset facility as the profits from my IP sale will sit in there and offset our PPOR loan. Our PPOR will probably be an IP one day so I will get the tax advantages later down the track, doing it this way.
yep pasanbec – that is one of the 'few situations' I was referring to. All the best with your plans.
Hi somewhereoverthere. There is no real 'best loan'. That said, there are some beauties. A lot of the cheaper ones (like advantage and virgin) brokers don't like because they don't get paid much or cannot access – and yes, they ARE cheap, good basic loans- Advantage in particular. That said, they are designed for people that are happy for a 'quicky loan', and know what they want – often happy to 'do' over the phone -in all fairnesss, if you are getting what are effectively wholesale rates you cannot expect more. But as you are chasing a 100% loan (effectively)some of the non banklenders are great – check out RAMS and wizard. St.George also do a 100% but via the branches can take a long time to get sorted. BUT, on any loans over $250k, it is often a so called 'pro pack' from a bank that offers a discounted rate, in exchange for an annual fee, that evens the playing field – and the only way to to a loan like that is via a good broker, unless you have hours to spend chasing up ignoramous bank personel that in most cases are bordering on brain dead financially.). Also, someone such as a broker or experieince 'non bank' lender will have done far more training, and have more 'hands on' experience than most 'bank lenders' – invaluable when it comes down to assistance with loan structuring ideas, and a bit of free advice…..which is worth $$$ more than shaving off a fraction of a percent on an interest rate! All the best with your purchase. (Also – bear in mond many lenders allow you to pay extra off fixed loans now with no penalty – win win)
Hey BJ. Just a personal comment only……Forget about everything other than getting your loan LVR on your own home down – you certainly don't need an offset account (unless you are considering 'converting it' into an investment property in the future!) but on 90k per year you should be able to rip right into your PPOR loan, while paying only the minimum (preferably interest only for now) which is what at 45yo makes sense. Remember, you can always 'redraw' funds if needed for both deductable and non deducttable expenses…..and even 'restructure or refinance' your loan in future to suit whatever needs you may have – but as has already been alluded, without totally depriving yourself, any spare you get (or make) need sto go off your own mortage el pronto – personal opinion of course. hey, all the best – and congrats on having a nice portfolio.
Just wondering if you really need an 'offset' facility. Many brokers (and others who like to 'sound authoritive') like to toss this expression around to sound important, but really it is only in a very few (which I have done/organised too) situations where it is really beneficial. Just wondering if, depending on your stragey, and if you plan to buy more property, whether or not it would be easier for you to avoid restructuring as part of a 'package', and perhaps grab yourself a basic cheapy no frills loan and avoid all the hassle, stress, and annual fees. Other than that, the bank should fit in with you, after all is'nt that what they are there for????(Especially if you are not refinancing, they should be more than happy to oblige – anyway, all the best)
Hey Devo – don't worry about wasting money – just imagine how the poor cow that would be silly enough to spend 100 large on a VL Commodore will feel a couple of years later on…..heh heh (nothing personal – just telling it like it is—if you can get anywhere near that take it and run!)
And, when you do have or get equity in the property, if you choose a decent loan, no one says you have to pay the car loan off over 25 years. You get a loan 'split' (free on a good loan) and take the ca loan (or card/personal whatever) over it's original term – ie maybe $10k over 5 years in the split, but @ homeloan rates! And pay it off as quick as you can.
Arrh – Sacrilidge – Down lights are losing popularity as it is without butchering a gorgeous pressed metal ceiling – Why not go for the trusty 100w light bulb and glass lamp shade right in the middle, or if you want to be special, a good old classy chandelier. )the type with three bulbs look great) Should look right in character – and create great ambience! Glass of wine?
Yep – much over 90% can be a challenge now, when there is debt consolidation in particular. Maybe your val will come in well. All the best. A full doc loan with what was once considered a 'non conforming ' lender can often yield competitive rates and results, (ie Liberty ) but many lenders have indeed changed their LVR now on refi from 95 to 90 – yet you can buy at 95 for an IP or 100% LVR PPOR no drama. It's a funny industry……
Yeah – the forum is now totally P poor. Ther is no way to keep track of what you are interested in unless you either scroll through pages of history, all the time not knowing who has posted anyway, or get bombadred with emails if you subscribe to a post (if it lets you). The new forum is SO dissapointing-with the losers being anyone who wants some help and advice – I'm only here now because there are no new motorbikes of interest on ebay, and I was wondering who else is bothering to post now. SO there you have it – I don't envisage frequenting the site much any longer unfortunately – which is a shame,as it used to be quite interesting and had a nice 'homely' feel to it. And I did check just in the off chance it had been 'fixed up' to a usable method as promised – but alas no. THis is why thes same topics are rehashed time and time again – no on can find anything! Maybe we can set up a new site. Any ideas? Take care, and all the best with your journey/s.