The absolute ultimate quintessential. guide to home finance.

Transcription

1 The absolute ultimate quintessential guide to home finance.

2 The ultimate guide to home finance Copyright 2009 Loan Market Group Pty Ltd All rights reserved No part of this work covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, recording taping or information retrieval systems) without the written permission of the publisher. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry The ultimate guide to home finance / edited by Jennifer Nielsen ISBN: (online) 1. Mortgage loans--australia--finance. 2. Housing--Australia--Finance. 3. House buying--australia--costs. Nielsen, Jennifer, Disclaimer No person should rely on the contents of this publication without first obtaining advice from a qualified professional person. This publication is sold on the terms and understanding that: (1) the authors, consultants and editors are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in this publication, nor for any error in or omission from this publication; and (2) the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, professional or other advice or services. The publisher, and the authors, consultants and editors, expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, whether a purchaser or reader of this publication or not, in respect of anything, and of the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Without limiting the generality of the above, no author, consultant or editor shall have any responsibility for any act or omission of any other author, consultant or editor. Published in Australia by Loan Market Group Pty Ltd, Level 17, 135 King Street, Sydney, Australia, Editors Jennifer Nielsen, Zena Fakhouri, Sub Editors Michelle Dalrymple, Laura Stead, Design Andy Homan Internal Design Yvette Greenhalgh. Contributors Loan Market Group Finance Brokers, Management & Staff, with special mentions to staff and business associates, Adrian Lee, Arthur Kassos, Carlo Abate, Dean Rushton, Debbie Siebuhr, Edda Mwangi, Grant Rheuben, Ivan Karamatic, John Kolenda, and Lee Banh. Australian Credit Licence

3 Contents Chapter one How do home loans work? 5 Choosing a home loan 6 Home loan types pros & cons 8 Home loan features & options 10 Reverse mortgages 13 Home loans for self employed 14 Chapter two Home loan borrowing made simple 15 Borrowing capacity 16 Deposits & deposit bonds 18 Getting a better home loan deal 19 Buying & selling costs 20 Surviving the application process 22 Credit profile - how does it work? 24 Buying from overseas 26 Valuations 27 Chapter three First home buyers 29 Getting your first home 30 Grants, assistance & entitlements 31 Chapter four How mortgage brokers work 33 What mortgage brokers do 34 Making your broker work hard 35 Chapter five Getting rid of your mortgage fast! 37 Paying off a home loan faster ,587 for a 300,000 loan? 41 What if I get sick or lose my job? 42 Debt consolidation & refinancing 43 Refinancing costs 45 Chapter six Charts & notes 47 Resources & information 48 Loan Market Group lenders 49 Home loan repayment chart 50 Stamp duty summary 51 Income gross and net 52 Home inspection checklist 53 Legal and loan costs worksheet 56 Moving home checklist 57 Finance dictionary 58 Loan Market Group brokers 67 Notes 70

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5 Chapter one How do home loans work? The ultimate insider s guide for everyone: Home buyers, first home buyers, investors, retirees, high income, low income and self employed.

6 6 The ultimate guide to home finance. Choosing a home loan Given the competition in today s lending market it is important you get an expert mortgage broker on your side who will fight for a competitive home loan deal for your financial situation. Choosing the right lender and home loan product for your finance needs is something you should do before you buy your property. That way you will be sure you re getting good value and the most appropriate home loan deal for your financial situation. The Australian home loan market is very competitive with local and international banks, building societies, credit unions and all manner of specialist lenders offering a seemingly endless choice of home loan options, including honeymoon rates, introductory rates, no deposit and 100% home loans, standard variable rates, fixed rates, redraw facilities, line of credit loans, professional packages with great rates if you are borrowing more than 150,000 and so on. While different loans target different markets, like everything, you pretty much get what you are prepared to pay for. In this book, while respecting that money has to be taken seriously, especially the large amounts generally associated with a home loan, we encourage you to think about money as a commodity. There are plenty of opportunities around if you know where to look and who to ask. When comparing home loans, you are looking for the best value you can get for your lifestyle, the size of the loan, the deposit you have and the type of property you want to finance. This book helps you to understand what is available in the market and encourages you to be ruthless with your borrowing decisions, using a reputable broker to do the research and the negotiation for you. Standard variable interest rates The standard variable interest rate quoted by most banks and lenders is the lender s benchmark rate. Most of the lender s customers don t actually pay that interest rate, but it is the one typically referenced. If you choose a variable rate home loan, it would generally be offered to you by the lender with a discount of say 0.3% or 0.5% etc off the standard variable rate, depending on the amount of money you are borrowing and the loan features you choose to utilise. As a rule of thumb, discounting starts at around 150,000 borrowings and increases proportionately to 0.70% off as you borrow more. Basic variable loans Basic variable loans are loans with lower interest rates, but with limited features. These loans are typically no frills although these days most have redraw for a fee (usually around 50 each redraw) and a couple of lenders even offer offset accounts at no charge. Honeymoon and introductory loans Honeymoon and introductory loans are usually variable interest rate loans with a discounted interest rate off the standard variable rate (commonly over 1%). They typically last a certain period of time, usually one year, but ranging from six months to three years. After the agreed period, they normally change to a slightly discounted, but higher standard variable rate, although many people are able to negotiate a lower rate. Sometimes, depending on the lender, rates can be fixed or capped during the initial or honeymoon period.

7 How do home loans work? 7 What you heard You should fix rates for as long as you think interest rates may rise. Inside word If you intend to sell your property in 3 three years, years, do not do not fix for fix for 5 years five years e.g. think about matching the fixed rate period to the time that you may keep a property. Fixed rate loans Fixed rate loans are where the borrower s interest rate and repayments are fixed for a set period, usually from one to 10 years, although one to three years is the most common. These loans commonly roll over for another fixed term (at prevailing rates), but some people go to a variable rate loan at the time the fixedrate period has expired. Combination fixed and variable loans Split loans allow borrowers to take part of their loan as a variable rate loan and the other part as a fixed rate loan. (The parts do not have to be equal.) While the overall loan amount is considered a total, each part is treated separately for loan contract purposes. People normally split their mortgage to hedge their bets. Line of credit/equity loans Line of credit or equity loans allow borrowers to borrow up to a specified limit which is secured by a registered mortgage over a residential property. These loans provide access to funds, when required, up to the original limit set. Normally, the minimum repayment required is the monthly interest only, generally with no real requirement to reduce the principal. These loans can be used for pretty much anything. They are a creative way to generate and separately manage funding for investment purposes, renovations, other properties, loans to children to help them buy property, etc. Non-conforming home loans Specialist lenders offer non-conforming loans to people who don t meet the bank s strict lending criteria, including older borrowers (over 55) for whom a 25-year loan may not be Web appropriate because they are close to retirement; people with a bad credit history, perhaps with a history of late repayments, loan default or possibly even formerly bankrupt; new migrants with no borrowing record; and seasonal, casual or self employed workers. For more information on home loans visit

8 8 The ultimate guide to home finance. Home loan types pros & cons Loan type Advantages Disadvantages Variable rate If interest rates drop, repayments might drop Generally extra repayments, reducing the principal, can be made without penalty Additional repayments can usually be taken back by you Usually offers more features Basic variable Lower interest rate loans (usually around % less than the standard variable) If interest rates drop, repayments might drop If interest rates rise, repayments might rise along with the amount of interest paid Generally attract a higher interest rate than basic loans Usually not as flexible as higher interest variable loans Less features (e.g. may charge for redraw) If interest rates rise, repayments will probably rise Honeymoon and introductory Fixed rate Combination/split fixed and variable Among the lowest rates available Any extra repayments made during introductory rates can reduce principal and save significant interest Borrowers have certainty of repayment amounts. Even if interest rates rise, repayments stay the same, as the interest rate is fixed for the duration of the loan Allows for precise budgeting Offers borrowers a chance to hedge their bets in times of rising interest rates and gives a blend of repayment flexibility and interest rate security Repayments increase after the introductory period, since the interest rate normally reverts to the standard variable rate May have higher early repayment fees (or exit fees) Reduced flexibility If variable interest rates fall, repayments will not - picking the right time to fix is tricky Additional repayments are limited, and exceeding limits may incur break costs/fees Early termination can attract hefty exit fees Variable portion is still vulnerable to interest rate rises. If interest rates rise, repayments on the variable portion also rise

9 How do home loans work? 9 Loan type Advantages Disadvantages Line of credit/equity The most flexible product available Money can be used as needed and paid back without structured monthly minimum repayments. In most cases the minimum required is the interest on the outstanding principal Since it is secured by residential property, the interest rate is less than commercial or business loans, credit cards or personal loans Lines of credit are like giant credit cards and require discipline to ensure that over time the principal/balance of the loan is reduced rather than run at its limit Interest rates can be slightly higher than for other types of loans Interest rates will rise with the market as they are variable rates

10 10 The ultimate guide to home finance. Home loan features & options Choosing the right home loan features for your finance needs, along with a good interest rate, will help you save money and pay off your mortgage quickly. Typically, the more flexible the loan, the more interest you ll pay. For instance, a variable loan which allows you to re-draw against extra repayments or offset savings without charge or conditions against the mortgage, will generally have a higher rate than a basic loan. But it may be that this kind of loan is far better for you if you need the flexibility. Loan features should be considered in the context of both your personality and your life over at least the next five years. It sounds like a long time to a lot of people, but different features and options can have a big impact on the final cost of your loan. Are you disciplined and good at sticking to a budget? Are you likely to get any kind of incremental bonus or financial windfalls in the future? Is your objective to pay off the loan as quickly as possible? Is the loan for an investment or a private home? How much margin do you have in your monthly spending (to account for, say, an interest-rate rise)? Are you planning on having a baby or increasing your family dependency in the next five years? How will your family situation affect your income and expenditure? Most people know the answer to these questions and if you don t, just act on what you know right now, as often that is enough. The answers to these questions give you guidance to decide the level of flexibility you need with a home loan without paying for features you don t need. As you now read through the most common loan features outlined here, you will see how different life events act in parallel to your loan. Offset accounts An offset account is simply a separate savings account attached to your loan account. If your banking and your loans are at the same bank, an offset account is a great way of being disciplined without too much effort and is particularly good for people who are paid monthly. As the name suggests, your offset account balance works in tandem with your home loan, with its balance being subtracted from the outstanding home loan principal when calculating the daily interest charges. For example, if you have a 300,000 mortgage and 20,000 in your offset savings account, you will only be charged interest on 280,000, even though your loan balance is 300,000. From a taxation perspective, interest paid to your savings account is taxable, but the same interest used to offset home loan interest is not, so you effectively save tax and reduce your home loan at the same time. Look for lenders who offer 100% offset. Be aware that some lenders require a minimum balance to be in your account before the offset applies,

11 How do home loans work? 11 otherwise they will charge you fees. Additional repayments If you are likely to have extra cash at any time, make sure your home loan has additional repayment features that allow you to use that cash to reduce the outstanding principal and interest. Don t leave dollars sitting in a savings account when every dollar you pay off your home loan is working much harder than a dollar saved in the bank (roughly, you may get 3-4% interest on savings, but a loan is costing you 4-6%). It may not sound like a lot of money, but over time, small amounts turn into thousands of dollars. If you are concerned about being able to access the extra funds you pay into your loan, don t be. Most variable loans allow you to take back those extra payments via redraw facilities if needed. Portable loan Home loan portability allows you to take an existing loan to another property without having to refinance, i.e. pay out the old loan and take out a new one. This can save application and legal fees. Be aware that portability does not allow you to take your loan from one lender to another. Redraw facility A redraw facility allows you to access additional repayments you have made. The money can be used for pretty much whatever you like without having to explain or apply for it. Many lenders have a minimum redraw amount and a fee every time you use it. Repayment holiday Many lenders now offer either full or partial repayment holidays for periods of time. They can be useful if, for instance, you find yourself taking time off work in a career change or building a family. Salary credit (direct) This feature allows you to pay your salary directly into your home loan account. With interest calculated daily, this effectively reduces the principal amount owing for the time your salary is in the account, thereby reducing the amount of interest paid. Many couples use this facility with second salaries. Switching (to fixed rate) Switching allows you to switch from a variable to a fixed rate. This can be a good option if, for instance, you are not sure what rates are going to do. Professional packages Professional packages are available from most lenders and offer discounts on interest rates, fees and other products in exchange for an annual fee which usually ranges from 300 to 400 per annum. Most packages have a minimum requirement of 150,000 in borrowings and offer discounts of up to 0.7% off the lender s standard variable rate, dependent upon how much you borrow. They often also include no application fees and no ongoing fees on any loans, fee free transactional banking, and waivers of annual credit fees. Some lenders will also offer you financial planners and discounts on home and contents insurance, discounts on financial planning and reduced rates on margin lending products. Interest only loans Interest only loans pay interest during the term of the loan and all the principal remains outstanding at the end. These loans are usually for a short term of one to five years. Interest only

12 12 The ultimate guide to home finance. loans are often used by investors for tax management purposes. Top up A top up allows you to increase the limit on your home loan and is typically something you would negotiate when you first take out the loan in order to save fees later on. Construction loans - a note While the anatomy of a construction loan is really a standard home loan, not all the features available on the product you choose will be available during the construction phase. Two examples of this are redraw and payment frequency. During construction, you cannot use redraw, and interest is typically paid monthly on an interest only basis. When the house is complete, all features of the loan become available. Limited guarantor loans - family pledge, equity guarantee Limited guarantor loans, also known as family pledge loans or equity guarantee loans, allow an immediate family member to pledge assistance to the borrower, either as a guarantor providing support through repayment assistance or as a guarantor providing additional security. Family pledges can typically be applied to most loan types. A good limited guarantor loan will allow the guarantor to set the amount they are guaranteeing, in effect limiting their exposure to loss. It s important to note however that it can be difficult for the guarantor to remove themselves from the loan if the main borrower cannot service the loan themselves. You should seek legal advice prior to entering into a guarantor arrangement. Make sure your solicitor or advisor understands your personal situation and has your best interests at heart. Comparison rate schedules When looking at a loan, there are two interest rates to consider the interest you are paying and the comparison rate. Comparison rates take into account a number of things, including loan establishment fees, account fees and interest rates over the term of the loan. Anyone advertising a specific loan product cost is required by law to show comparison rates to help consumers understand the real cost of a loan. It might therefore mean an advertised interest rate on a 300,000 loan of 6.8%, comes up on the comparison rate schedule at 7.11%. This is helpful but don t rely solely on comparison rates when choosing a loan as, while they take into account many standard fees and interest rates, they don t consider significant fees such as early repayment fees and ongoing redraw fees, nor do they consider the use of features and how suitable the loan is for you.

13 How do home loans work? 13 Reverse mortgages Reverse mortgages allow eligible homeowners to use the equity they have built up in their homes. The concept allows house-rich, cash-poor elderly or retired homeowners access to their home equity to support things like living expenses or emergency bills without having to sell their homes. Reverse mortgages are generally available to residential property owners aged over 60. Different lenders have different age entry levels, and the percentage of equity or amount of money you can leverage depends upon your age. These mortgages allow you to release funds by using the equity in your property and are secured by a registered first mortgage on your principal place of residence and potentially, your residential investment property, dependent upon the lender. How do reverse mortgages work? In simple terms, a reverse mortgage works like this you own a property, valued at 400,000. You take out a reverse mortgage and borrow 100,000. Depending on the product, you can take the 100,000 as a lump sum, regular income or a combination of both. Either way, you accumulate interest on borrowings as they are drawn. You generally can t rent the property, and you remain responsible for maintenance and similar costs. If you sell, you simply discharge the mortgage in the usual way or, when you die, the lender or estate sells your home, and takes what they re owed remaining principal plus capitalised interest (see Finance Dictionary page 58). No repayments Generally, no repayments are required on a reverse mortgage until the borrower sells the home, dies or permanently moves out, with interest payments in most cases being added to the balance. You can usually choose to make regular repayments or lumpsum repayments if you wish. Eroding the equity you have in your home With many of us living longer, while the concept of a reverse mortgage is tempting, it is not for everyone. By law, you are protected, with borrowings limited to a small proportion of the overall value of the home, but it is important to realise that, unless the rate of growth in property values is reasonable, there is always the possibility that you may see your home equity eroded each year. Speak to a solicitor Make sure you get a solicitor to read your reverse mortgage terms and conditions and explain exactly what you re signing up for. You need someone who knows your personal needs and will support your interests ahead of anything else.

14 14 The ultimate guide to home finance. Home loans for self employed With changing work practices, more and more people are self employed and while obtaining a home loan has been difficult for the self employed in the past, it is now much easier. Is it harder to get a home loan? It can be harder, but it isn t always. If you have full income verification and two years of profitable trading and you can meet your lender s terms for the loan, getting a home loan is pretty much as straight forward as if you were PAYG. If you are not in this situation, you may be seen as a higher risk and that is where it might become more difficult, or cost you more, at least in the short term. Make sure you research your options however as you might be surprised with what is available to you. What kind of home loans are available? If you are self employed and do not have full income verification, there is still a range of very competitive home loans available through numerous lenders offering low or no document home loans and non-conforming home loans. While these loans might cost you a little more, they can provide a reasonable solution until your business is more established and you are in a position to negotiate for a full document loan. Do non-standard loans have higher interest rates? Along with lower LVRs (loan value ratio), typically low documentation loans and non-conforming loans have higher interest rates than full document home loans in line with the lender s view of you as a risk. (Variances are usually around 1-3% higher than a traditional loan, but rates depend on your level of credit impairment or perceived risk.)

15 Chapter two Home loan borrowing made simple. Great tips on how much you can borrow, getting a deposit, negotiating interest rates and competitive home loan options for your finance needs.

16 16 The ultimate guide to home finance. Borrowing capacity How much can I borrow? Most of the time, you will have worked out the amount you can borrow well before beginning your property search. As people get closer to purchase, many things can influence what they eventually borrow. (Not least of all that many of us end up purchasing properties at prices greater than we initially intended!) How do lenders assess you? Lenders take into account the maximum cost of the property (including purchase costs if these are to be included in the loan), the size of your deposit and the loan repayments at current interest rates. (Most lenders use a higher stress rate which factors for potential rate rises.) They will typically review all your income sources and expenditure, add a margin for Web safety, and then calculate your uncommitted monthly income. The most important factor to a lender is your level of uncommitted monthly income. The greater it is, the larger your borrowing capacity overall. Factors that can impact your borrowing capacity include: Loan value ratio Income and types of income, e.g. casual vs full-time Other loans Credit card limits Loan terms Number of dependents and their situation Loan products Tax rates Rental income For more information on your borrowing power, visit You can influence your borrowing capacity When you are starting to plan for a mortgage, there are a number of things you can do to improve your borrowing capacity: Pay off outstanding term debts (e.g. personal loans) Pay off and close or reduce any credit cards, store cards, overdraft or line of credit facilities Consider reducing the limit of any other loan facility you maintain Work out and stick to a budget to improve your deposit and savings history Borrowing capacity schedule If you are the kind of person who needs a general rule as a guide, you could safely assume that most major lenders will draw the line at allowing you to have a loan where up to 50% of your gross income goes towards your loan repayments. If two people are applying for a loan, then incomes are added together and treated as one amount,

17 Home loan borrowing made simple. 17 although outgoings are treated separately. The size of your family will of course also impact your assumed outgoings. The schedule below gives you some idea of what you would typically be able to borrow. While you can t present these numbers to the bank as evidence to support your application, they are a useful guide. Get pre-approved first Home loan pre-approval is something you should definitely get if you have the time. Most lenders offer it and it Income based borrowing capacity. Gross Annual Income Single 0 Dependants Joint, 0 Dependent is usually valid for three months. Get formal pre-approval if you can afford the application fee because it is the only pre-approval that you can rely upon. As you would expect, it is subject to the conditions under which it is approved, but it does give you a very clear framework within which to work. Online calculators Most good mortgage broker websites have borrowing capacity calculators that will readily give you an indication of your borrowing capacity based on Joint, 1 Dependent 30, ,000 49, Joint, 2 Dependent 40, , ,000 76,000 26,000 50, , , ,000 95,000 60, , , , ,000 70, , , , ,000 80, , , , ,000 90, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 1,182,000 1,118,000 1,065,000 1,014, ,000 1,452,000 1,388,000 1,335,000 1,285,000 your current income and expenses. You will also find a range of other calculators including repayment calculators where you can calculate your repayments in weekly, fortnightly or monthly installments, for any amount borrowed. Planning ahead Remember, home loans are a long term product so you need to think about the future not just the present. If you can foresee a future loss of income or extraordinary expense than you need to ensure you have a plan for the two. What you heard Lenders will only consider family allowance payments as continued income as long as the children are 11 years or younger. Inside word A number of lenders will allow you to include ongoing family allowance as continued income as long as you can provide receipts. 30 year owner-occupied home loan. Credit card limit 2,000 no other debts. Interest rate 7% p.a. One income earner per couple.

18 18 The ultimate guide to home finance. Deposits & deposit bonds Some lenders will typically accept a minimum 5% deposit. You will need other funds to cover the costs involved in the purchase such as stamp duty, legal fees and registration fees. And your property valuation will need to stack up. Up to 95% home loans Provided you can make the payments, you can typically finance up to 95% of the property value from a lender on their normal competitive terms. Some may then offer to add the mortgage insurance costs to your loan as well, thereby lending you up to 97% of the property value. There are many ways of covering your deposit If you are a first home buyer, you are pretty much in the most fortunate position of all as you can use the Commonwealth Government grant and your State Government grants (if applicable) and other entitlements to limit the size of your required deposit and funds to cover fees. (See page 29.) For everyone else, apart from saving the required amount, the following is a list of options available to you to offset the need for a deposit: Limited guarantor loans - family pledge, equity guarantee Monetary gifts Personal loans (but remember a personal loan will reduce your overall borrowing capacity) Deposit bonds Deposit bonds are an alternative to a cash deposit. They are effectively a guarantee to the vendor equal to the amount of deposit required between signing the contract and settlement of the property. Deposit bonds cost about 1.2% of the deposit and can be issued for all or part of a deposit, but are usually for 10% of the purchase price. For example, a 10% deposit on a 500,000 property will cost you 600. Long term deposit bonds to purchase off the plan properties are valid for five years. What you heard Pre-approved home loans are as good as a fully approved loan. Inside word Always sign Contract of Sale subject to finance, even if you have a preapproval. Your valuation needs to stack up and you do need final approval.

19 Home loan borrowing made simple. 19 Getting a better deal Even if you are using a mortgage broker to negotiate for you, it pays to understand a few of the basics about negotiating your mortgage so you are in the most confident position. Use your assets If you have a good deposit and low LVR, you are in the best position to negotiate for a good deal. Lending policies have tightened substantially over the past year, so relationships count. Whatever your circumstances, use an experienced broker who knows what he is doing and can leverage his relationships and experience on your behalf. Discounts on loans greater than 250,000 Major lenders will offer a discounted interest rate of up to 0.7% off the standard variable rate, starting at borrowings of around 250,000. Officially, discounts start at 0.5% at 150,000, but often your broker can negotiate more. Negotiating interest rates creates the greatest advantage For every 100,000 you borrow, a 0.1% discount will roughly save you 100 p.a. in interest. A 300,000 loan with an interest rate discount of 0.70% p.a. on a 30 year loan, will reduce your average annual interest by approximately 1,660. Over the loan term, this will save you approximately 49, Avoiding upfront fees When you only have a small deposit and need the funds, avoiding up front fees can be very useful at the time you need it most. Some lenders have products with very minimal upfront fees and instead offer a deferred establishment fee (DEF). The DEF is only required to be paid if you repay the loan early (within the first three or four years) and would typically cost you between 700 and 1,000 in that event. Mortgage counter offers A good mortgage broker with experience and contacts can be especially useful for receiving and assessing counter-offers from suitable lenders, including your current lender. Negotiating property purchase price Once you have a clear understanding of your borrowing capacity and comfort level with repayments, make sure you know how much difference incremental increases in your property purchase offer will make to mortgage repayments. As you can see in the table below, the difference can be quite small. Increase your mortgage by Weekly repayments increase 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25, *These amounts are offered as a guide only and are based on a 30 year mortgage at 7% p.a interest rate. Talk to your mortgage broker or lender for the most accurate information.

20 20 The ultimate guide to home finance. Buying & selling costs Buying a home and getting a loan what are the costs? Along with the costs of checking out the property you are buying and physically moving from the one you are now in, there are a number of government fees, taxes, legal fees and lender fees incurred when you go for a home loan and buy a new home. Remember that most of these fees are paid before or around the time your property settles, so your savings or loan will need to cover these amounts as well. Typically, you would plan for these fees when you are purchasing: Stamp duty, mortgage registration, mortgage stamp duty and registration fee These taxes/fees are state government - based fees and are applied according to the law of the state where the prop- Web erty is, i.e. not the property that you live in, if you reside in another state. Each state government calculates these fees differently. Stamp duty is payable in all states, but some groups such as those below are entitled to different exemptions or reductions on stamp duty: (All states) First home buyers (Victoria) Home buyers with concession cards (WA/NT) Principal residence rebates To find out how much stamp duty and other fees are payable on a property, visit Individual state government revenue offices web site addresses can be found on page 48. Mortgage stamp duty has been abolished in most states where the lending relates to residential housing (owneroccupied and investment). A good mortgage broker and your solicitor can help you work through these. Lender fees Sometimes lenders will negotiate on fees. Look out for these fees: Loan application fees Loan establishment fees Service fees Valuation fees Legal fees (mortgage related) Account transaction fees Exit fees (or deferred establishment fees) Fees differ a great deal among lenders, so it is extremely important to be very clear on these costs up front and ensure your home finance broker negotiates on your behalf where possible. Buying interstate with local security If you use a NSW property as security for the purchase of a Queensland prop-

21 Home loan borrowing made simple. 21 erty, the Queensland government will only recognise a portion of NSW mortgage stamp duty and will charge you additional duty. Not all states do this, but you should check with the state revenue office. Legal fees When purchasing property, you would usually employ a solicitor or conveyancer to look after the property exchange paperwork. Dependent upon the value of the property and the state you live in, this can cost as little as 200 plus disbursements up to over 1000, depending on complexity. Get quotes. Building inspection reports (and structural) Building inspections are highly recommended and are sometimes a condition of loan approval. It is always a good idea to have one done irrespective of the lender s loan approval conditions. Expect inspections to cost somewhere between 250 and 500. Pest and termite inspections A pest and termite inspection typically costs between 200 and 400, and is also highly advisable, if not legally required. Lender s mortgage insurance (LMI) While most lenders will allow you to add LMI to your loan, you will normally only be able to take your LVR to a maximum of 97%, so if your home loan LVR is greater than 95%, you will almost certainly have to pay some cash for at least part of your lender s mortgage insurance (LMI). Moving and other miscellaneous costs Don t forget to factor in the cost of mail redirection, furniture removal, disconnecting and re-connecting the power, gas and phone. Also bear in mind the range of other miscellaneous costs that might affect you, including any adjustments to your land and water rates, strata fees, building and contents insurances and other insurances. And all this is before you take the decision to spend that extra money on furniture to suit your new home. Note: In all cases except statutory costs, approximate prices are based on the median selling price of homes in Australian capital cities. While the information here should be seen as a useful guide, it is indicative only and should be qualified with the appropriate providers. Lender s mortgage insurance When you have less than a 20% deposit, you will almost always have to pay mortgage insurance or LMI. This insurance is a one-off payment by the borrower to the lender (or lender s insurer) to insure the loan. It insures the lender for any shortfall on a loan, so if you were sold up because of defaults, it covers the difference between what you are sold for and the amount still owing. Depending on how much you borrow loan insurance can typically cost up to % of the loan amount. As you get closer to 80% home loans (or 20% deposit), the cost usually lowers substantially. If you have a 20% or more deposit, and all other factors are in line, LMI is generally not charged. For low doc loans, the LMI will usually commence at 60% LVR with a maximum lend of 80% LVR. These premiums are usually much lower than those charged for full document loans where the LVR is greater than 80%. As a general guide, the LMI rates for low doc loans start at around 0.7% of the loan amount, and go up to about 1.3%.

22 22 The ultimate guide to home finance. Surviving the application process What do I need when I apply for a home loan? Each state and lender is slightly different, but the following list is pretty much what you will need to supply when you apply for most standard home loans. All borrowers are required to provide: Bank statements showing your saving history for the past six months (including term deposits) Originals (and a copy) of 100 points ID Check - Passport with photo (70 points) - Current drivers licence (40 points) - Credit card or Medicare card or utilities bills in your name (25 points each) Evidence of shares and other investments Last statement on your credit card and other non-secured borrowings such as personal loans Contract of sale/purchase for the property if available In addition, the following is required: PAYG employee Two most recent pay slips or PAYG payment summaries for the past two years for each applicant Self employed Past two years business figures Personal and business tax returns (some lenders also require personal tax assessments) There are of course a range of reasons why you might be looking for a home loan beyond your primary residence. In some cases, you will need different or additional documentation. Investment property Copy of lease, rent appraisal or rental statement Refinancing Past 6 12 months loan/s statements Rates notices Insurance policy Building loans For building loans there are two stages: the loan approval, and the draw-down 1. Loan approval Fixed-price building contract (which includes the copy of the plan and specific actions) 2. Draw-down commence progress payments to builder Council approved plans Building permit If you are an owner-builder, you will be required to provide detailed costings including quotes and relevant insurances.

23 Home loan borrowing made simple. 23 Step by step guide Once you have agreed to take out a home loan either directly though a lender or through a mortgage broker, there is a flow of activity that is generally consistent with every home loan process. Depending on the complexity of your situation, the time from the initial meeting to a final approval will take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Larger home loans and more complex situations will typically take longer. Simpler scenarios can be much faster. Below is a step-by-step timeline of what you can expect. Step 1 Mortgage broker receives all necessary information, documents and a signed application. Step 2 Home loan application is prepared and submitted to lender by mortgage broker. Mortgage broker informs you that your home loan application has been submitted to lender. Step 3 Lender assesses application which will include credit checks and verification of information provided. Step 4 Assuming that all credit checks and verifications meet the lender s guidelines, a conditional approval is issued. If there are any lender concerns at this stage, your mortgage broker will address these with you. Web A document checklist is also available at Print it out to use as you gather your documents. Step 5 Your mortgage broker advises you of conditional approval (or otherwise) of your home loan application. If the lender requires any further information, your mortgage broker will let you know and you may then return to a previous step in the process. Step 6 The lender will order a formal valuation of your property. The valuer will then inspect and submit a written report back to the lender. Step 7 The valuation is assessed by the lender and if it meets their guidelines, they will commence the process for issuance of an unconditional approval. If there are any lender concerns with the valuation, your mortgage broker will let you know and these can then be addressed. REMEMBER Have your documents ready when you see your broker. Step 8 An unconditional approval is issued by the lender. At the same time, they will commence preparation of the loan documents. If your loan requires LMI (lender s mortgage insurance), approval is sought from the LMI provider. Once the LMI provider approves, then the lender will issue the unconditional approval and the preparation of loan documents will commence. Step 9 You will receive loan documents from the lender. Your mortgage broker will guide you through the process to execute these correctly. Once the documents are executed and signed, they are returned to the lender. Step 10 Upon receipt of the signed loan documents, the lender will verify that everything has been signed correctly. Assuming all is correct, the lender will then commence the process of booking in settlement.

24 The ultimate guide to home finance. Credit profile - how does it work? Anyone who has borrowed money (for a credit card, mortgage, car, etc) will have a credit file. Amongst other things, banks, retailers and other credit providers rely on your credit file when deciding whether to lend you money or not. Every credit provider attaches varying degrees of importance to the information provided in the credit file. Together with the information they obtain from you and depending on the amount of risk they are prepared to take, credit may be approved. What is a credit file? A credit file records information about people who have been credit-active during the past five years. Contained in your credit file is information about you and your credit history including: Personal details such as: name, residential addresses, date of birth, drivers licence number and current or previous employer All credit applications and enquiries you have made during the past five years Records of current credit accounts Public record information Public record information includes: Judgment and writ/summons information obtained from the various courts around Australia Bankruptcy/Part X/Part IX information obtained from the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA) in each state. Directorship information obtained from the Australian Securities and investment Commission (ASIC) Proprietorships How can I get a copy of my credit file? If you are applying for a home or business loan, it is a good idea to get a copy before you put in your application. It is easy to do and costs for a copy within 24 hours. Go to Obtaining a copy of your credit information file will assist you in managing your personal information and also help you to better assess your own credit worthiness. Even if you have had credit issues and provided you can genuinely repay a loan, it is worth obtaining advice on your chances of getting home loan approval. How do I maintain my credit worthiness? Most Australians maintain a clean credit file. But it might surprise you to know that unpaid phone bills and utilities bills are the biggest reasons for defaults on a credit file that people are unaware of. The following steps will ensure yours stays clean: 1. Pay bills on time. An overdue account is usually a debt that has been owing for a minimum of 60 days (over- Web You can get a copy of your credit file at

25 Home loan borrowing made simple. 25 due accounts where the debtor has been confirmed missing remain on the database for five years). 2. Call your credit provider/s in a timely manner and alert them if there is a problem meeting your commitments and set up agreed repayment plans. 3. Review your credit file to make sure there are no errors and/or discover any overdue accounts that have been forgotten about. A File Update Form is available to request corrections. 4. Monitor your credit file to ensure someone is not fraudulently using your identity. A growing problem. 5. Don t make too many applications for unsecured finance. Each one shows up on your credit report and multiple applications can understandably be an issue for some lenders. 6. Remember that the details on overdue accounts, even when paid, remain on your file for five years from the date of listing, as part of your credit history. What you heard It is very difficult to obtain a home loan if you have past defaults on utility accounts e.g. telephone bills. Inside word If you have a steady employment history and can demonstrate your ability to make consistent payments, you will have far more chance. What if I have past credit issues? Be honest and up front. It s best that your lender or mortgage broker finds out from you, not your credit file report, if there are any problems with your credit history. A mortgage broker will also know to show you lender products which take this situation into account. If there has been a problem, explain why it occurred and how you rectified it. Rejection of a credit application, or the supply of goods and services where payment is deferred, does not necessarily mean your credit file is flawed. Credit providers each have their own lending criteria, so seek an explanation. If you believe there are any discrepancies or mistakes on your credit file you are able to challenge them. You may decide to go to a non-conforming lender. They consider applications from people with past credit issues. However, they will still expect the borrower to now be in a position to support the loan.

26 The ultimate guide to home finance. Buying from overseas Expatriate Australians are often surprised to learn that they have ready access to the same home loans as Australian residents. Australian citizens and non-residents purchasing Australian property Australian citizens and permanent residents living overseas can acquire any property in Australia and access any home loan available to Australian residents. The term non-resident for lending purposes applies to a person who: Permanently resides out of Australia and is not an Australian citizen Is an Australian citizen that has been living and working out of Australia for more than six consecutive months Is not an Australian citizen but has been residing in Australia for less than six consecutive months. Offshore mortgage brokers If you are purchasing property from offshore, it is important to deal with a mortgage broker who is experienced in expat or non resident lending. Offshore brokers typically know what loans work best for your situation and which lenders are happy to work with expat borrowers, particularly if you don t intend to return to Australia to sign your loan documents or you wish to borrow a reasonably large amount of money. Transferring foreign currency for property purchase If you are buying an Australian property from overseas, whether as an investment, holiday or retirement home, or to live permanently, it is likely that you will have to pay for your property in Australian dollars. Foreign funds are typically transferred through banks or foreign exchange merchants. Foreigners buying Australian property from overseas Foreign investment or a foreign interest is a corporation, business or trust in which a foreigner and any associates have 15% or more ownership or in which several foreigners have 40% or more aggregate of the ownership. There are various forms of investment and proposals with regard to foreign investment in Australian real estate. These include the acquisition of: Developed commercial real estate valued at AUD5 million or more Residential real estate - irrespective of size Residential real estate irrespective of size unless exempt under regulations. Foreign investors with Foreign Investors Review Board approval, purchasing in Australia have access to the same range of loans as Australians. However they are not allowed to borrow more than 90% of the property value. What you heard It s hard and it costs more to borrow whilst you are overseas. Inside word All major lenders are equipped to assess offshore income and apart from LVR restrictions, expats are able to access all the same products offered to residents. At least one major lender even has a nonresident team established specifically to assist expats and foreign investors.