The post Self Managed Super Fund loans for property likely to grow into the future appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Self Managed Super Fund loans for property likely to grow into the future

After the Government rejected the Murray Financial Services Inquiry recommendation to ban on Self Managed Super Fund borrowing to buy property in October it has paved the way for further growth in this sector. The ban of borrowing in a Self Managed Super Fund is one of only two recommendations out of the 44 that the government rejected in response to the inquiry.

This is good news for SMSFs and gives people more options for investment with their SMSF.

Investment in property through SMSFs is likely to increase into the future as certainty in the sector may encourage not just more SMSF operators to consider this type of investing but also as banks and lenders look to more actively compete in this area after being given certainty by the government.

Both borrowing to invest in residential and commercial property are expected to grow into the future.

Oak Laurel Mortgage Brokers –  SMSF loans made easy!

Share!

The post Self Managed Super Fund loans for property likely to grow into the future appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1YIHny3

The post AMP restarts taking new investor property loan applications from Monday 16 November 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

AMP recommences accepting new investment property loan applications from Monday 16 November 2015

AMP have announced that they will now (16 November 2015) be accepting new investor property loan applications. This is further signs that investor lending is returning to normal, after news that Bankwest has now increased its maximum loan to value ratio to 90% for investor loans. AMP had ceased lending to investors entirely (except when the investor loan was secured against a owner occupied property) as a response to the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) crackdown on investor lending growth above 10%.

AMP is now lending to 90% loan to value ratios, plus lenders mortgage insurance, for investment loans. AMP has stated that its investor loans are replicas of its current product range but with different (higher) interest rates.

Despite the crackdown by APRA there has continued to be lenders that have offered high loan to value ratio loan for investors. However, AMP returning to the investor loan market is further good news for property investors and homeowners that the property market and loan market are within regulator’s expectations. Now we await the Reserve Bank of Australia to stimulate sub-optimal economic growth with a cut to the interest rates.

AMP has also announced that it expects to recommence SMSF investor property loans later this year. This will be another win for people’s choice of investment options within their self managed super funds.

Don’t delay act NOW!

+614 30129662

Oak Laurel – Investment property loans made easy!

Share!

The post AMP restarts taking new investor property loan applications from Monday 16 November 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1WTFDof

The post Bankwest increases maximum LVR to 90% for investor loans appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Bankwest increases maximum LVR to 90% for investor loans

A sign that the housing bubble fears and financial system risk are over (or were overblown in the first place). Bankwest is one of the first Bank lenders to start relaxing lending policy for investors. The push from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) has previously caused Banks and lenders to tighten their lending policies, especially to property investors to contain the growth in investment lending below 10%.

Well it appears that APRA have been too successful, well as far as Bankwest is concerned. As a result of the APRA crackdown, Bankwest had reduced the maximum loan to value ratio for investment lending to 80%.  Now Bankwest have increased their maximum loan to value ratio to 90% including lenders mortgage insurance.

With the crackdown on investment lending by APRA, the major Banks and some other lenders had changed their policies to implement measure to discourage investment or risky lending including: tighten borrowing capacity calculations, increases interest rates for investors and reducing the maximum loan to value ratios available. Some have suggested that the approach to containing investment lending was an opertunity for the major Banks and some other lenders to price gouge with rises in interest rate for investment loans netting the major Banks many millions in profit. However, after raising their investment loan interest rate many Banks also decreased their owner occupied home loan rates for new borrowings.

One might question that if the regulator believed that there is a higher risk in the property market that encouraging owner occupiers to enter the market or borrow more is a prudent thing to do. I believe that messing with the property market using such blunt instruments as nation-wide investment loan interest rate increases and reduced maximum loan to value ratios was the wrong thing to do to contain what was essentially a Sydney based property market risk. I believe that these blunt measures have impacted the Australian economy when they needn’t have. When in time we look back on these events most reasonable economists and policy makers will agree that is was the wrong thing to do. Banks are very good at managing risk and restrict lending or loan to value ratios in locations (based on postcodes) where they see higher risk. Measures like loan to value ratios could have and infact are being used to manage risk.

Bankwest investment loans currently still have interest rate premiums over owner occupied home loans. However, the increase in maximum loan to value ratio for investment loans is a first step towards normalisation in the lending market.

Don’t delay act NOW!

+614 30129662

Oak Laurel – Investment property loans made easy!

Share!

The post Bankwest increases maximum LVR to 90% for investor loans appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1QoHPyX

The post ANZ and NAB increase proportion of loans through mortgage brokers appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Data from ANZ and NAB shows that they have increased the proportion of loans coming through mortgage brokers

Mortgage brokers accounted for 48% of ANZ’s home loans over the year, increasing a percentage point from 47% in the 2014 financial year. Home loan originating through the ANZ’s proprietary channels still account 52%, down a percentage point from 53% over the year to September.

NAB, which released its full-year results earlier this week, showed an increase in mortgage broker originated home loans. The NAB’s full-year results, showed that loan through mortgage brokers grew by 12% over the year to September, while those through NAB’s proprietary channels increased by only 7%.

The trends observed at both ANZ and NAB are likely to be similar in other lenders and are an indication of consumers making the choice to use mortgage broker more generally. This is also supported by data from other sources showing an increase in the use of mortgage brokers over time. With the market so complex and difficult to compare there is little wonder that consumers are using mortgage brokers to assist them.

Oak Laurel Mortgage Brokers – Home loans made easy!

Share!

The post ANZ and NAB increase proportion of loans through mortgage brokers appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1XLMZHe

The post Private sector house approvals fall – September 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Building Approvals, Australia, Sep 2015

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that whilst housing approvals are roughly on par with September 2014, dwelling excluding houses are well above September 2014 levels.  The number of dwellings approved in September 2015 fell 1.8% from August 2015, in trend terms. Furthermore, dwelling approvals have fallen for the last six months.

Dwelling approvals in September decreased in trend terms from August in all States and Territories except South Australia. The breakdown is as follows:

• Northern Territory a 3.3% decrease;
• Western Australia a 3.2% decrease;
• New South Wales a 2.6% decrease;
• Victoria a 1.8% decrease;
• Tasmania a 1.2% decrease;
• Australian Capital Territory a 0.7% decrease;
• Queensland a 0.3% decrease;
• South Australia a 0.4% increase in trend terms.

Approvals for private sector houses fell 0.2% in trend terms in September from August. A breakdown is as follows:

• Western Australia a 3.1% decrease;
• New South Wales a 1.2% decrease;
• Queensland a 2.2% increase;
• Victoria a 1.1% increase;
• South Australia flat, in trend terms.

The value of total building approved fell 0.6% in September, in trend terms, and has fallen for two months. The value of residential building fell 1.1 per cent while non-residential building rose 0.6% in trend terms.

TOTAL DWELLING UNITS

• The trend estimate for total dwellings approved fell 1.8% in September and has fallen for six months.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved rose 2.2% in September following a fall of 9.5% in the previous month.

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

• The trend estimate for private sector houses approved fell 0.2% in September and has fallen for five months.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector houses fell 1.9% in September following a rise of 4.1% in the previous month.

PRIVATE SECTOR DWELLINGS EXCLUDING HOUSES

• The trend estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses fell 3.4% in September and has fallen for six months.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 6.1% in September following a fall of 15.6% in the previous month.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVED

• The trend estimate of the value of total building approved fell 0.6% in September and has fallen for two months. The value of residential building fell 1.1% and has fallen for six months. The value of non-residential building rose 0.6% and has risen for six months.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building approved fell 2.1% in September and has fallen for two months. The value of residential building fell 4.3% and has fallen for two months. The value of non-residential building rose 2.9% following a fall of 9.5% in the previous month.

SEPTEMBER KEY BUILDING APPROVAL FIGURES

		Sep 15	Aug 15 to Sep 15	Sep 14 to Sep 15
		no.	% change	% change
TREND
	Total dwelling units approved	18 309	-1.8	6.8
	Private sector houses	9 520	-0.2	0.7
	Private sector dwellings excluding houses	8 566	-3.4	14.9
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
	Total dwelling units approved	18 900	2.2	21.4
	Private sector houses	9 536	-1.9	1.5
	Private sector dwellings excluding houses	9 134	6.1	53.5

Oak Laurel Finance Brokers – Finance made easy!

Share!

The post Private sector house approvals fall – September 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1P7qgnD

The post RBA leaves interest rates unchanged – 3 Nov 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Today, 3 Nov 2015, the Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate unchanged

There had been much speculation that the recent increases in the interest rates of the big four banks had left the door open for a cut to the cash rate by the RBA. However, the RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 2% for the sixth month in a row.

Some had believed that the increases between of 0.15% and 0.2% by the major Banks and other lenders would reduce property price increases in Sydney and Melbourne enough to enable the RBA to cut the cash rate to further stimulate other areas of the Australian economy but no cut to the cash rate was made today.

Naturally, the property market, particularly Sydney and Melbourne featured in the Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor: about the RBA’s Monetary Policy Decision as did the changes in mortgage rates and the impact that they are having in controlling risk in the property market and impacts on spending and the wider economy.

Glenn Steven’s statement concludes:

class="x-blockquote" >At today’s meeting the Board judged that the prospects for an improvement in economic conditions had firmed a little over recent months and that leaving the cash rate unchanged was appropriate at this meeting. Members also observed that the outlook for inflation may afford scope for further easing of policy, should that be appropriate to lend support to demand. The Board will continue to assess the outlook, and hence whether the current stance of policy will most effectively foster sustainable growth and inflation consistent with the target.Glenn Stevens

Commentary

The statement by Glenn Stevens about the decision to leave the cash rate unchanged also provide insight into possible actions of the Reserve Bank of Australia in the near future. We can interpret that “scope for further easing of policy” means that, although the cash rate was not cut today, it is very likely that it will be cut in the near future! This is the clearest signal in months that the RBA will make a cut in the near future. With the housing market price gains and banking risk under control it appears that there are few reasons left to refrain from cutting the cash rate. Unless inflation measured by the consumer price index (CPI) increases soon an interest rate cut seems inevitable.

Markets and analysts have also interpreted this as a future cut with interest rate pricing around the possibility of a third cut in the current cycle, in February, increasing to 100 per cent.

By Dr Nigel Abery (Ph.D.)

Oak Laurel Finance Brokers – Finance made easy!

Share!

The post RBA leaves interest rates unchanged – 3 Nov 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1Wt6bfO

The post Commercial Property Finance Brokers appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Commercial Property Finance Brokers

Oak Laurel has specialist commercial finance brokers that can assist you with your commercial property finance requirements. We have a wide network of banks, non-banks and private lenders that we can access to meet your funding needs.

We we can arrange both small and large amounts of funds. Most Australian residential, commercial, or industrial property is acceptable as security.

Obtaining the right commercial property loan facility that meets your needs can be complicated. Each lender has their own criteria, policy, guidelines and pricing and will evaluate your loan application differently. Navigating through the system does not have to be overwhelming. Our team of commercial finance brokers are very experienced with helping clients to prepare a loan applications that get approved. Our commercial finance specialists can work with you to structure finance that meets your circumstances and objectives. We will negotiate with the lender on your behalf to secure you a competitive loan package. We will guide you through the entire process.

Ask us about your commercial loan options.

Oak Laurel Finance Brokers – Commercial finance made easy!

Share This!

The post Commercial Property Finance Brokers appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1R0TWQq

The post Foreign investment in Australian commercial property at record high appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Foreign investment in Australian commercial property at record high

Analysis by CBRE has shown that in the September quarter, foreign investors accounted for 56% of the $8.6 billion worth of Australia’s commercial property sales. This is reportedly the highest percentage of foreign buyers in the 10 years of data that have been tracked.

It is thought that the foreign buyers have increased the total sales in the September quarter 8.5% higher than at the same time last year.

Chinese investors are responsible for the majority of the offshore purchases.  The increases of Chinese capital had been initially driven by private investors and developers. However, major institutional investors are also getting involved in the Australian commercial property market. Chinese investors are focusing on major gateway cities such as Melbourne and Sydney.

Major Australian commercial property acquisitions in the quarter include the Chinese sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation (CIC) paying almost $2.5 billion for a portfolio of office tower assets sold by the Investa Property Group in what is Australia’s largest ever direct office sale.  The owner of the $8.9 billion Investa platform, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing, announced that it has sold the property it owned through Investa.

Singapore’s Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust was another significant investor during the period, having snapped up a portfolio of 26 logistics properties from GIC in a deal valued at $1.01 billion.

The net investment position of offshore investors now totals $24 billion.

Oak Laurel Finance Brokers – Commercial property finance made easy!

The post Foreign investment in Australian commercial property at record high appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1LhvjKV

The post Victoria has Australia’s fastest growing population appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Victoria has Australia’s fastest population growth

The latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown that Victoria’s population is growing at the fastest rate in the country.

Victoria had a growth rate of 1.7%, gaining an additional 97,500 citizens in the year to March 2015.  New South Wales and Western Australia has the next highest population growth at 1.4%. See below for the population growth rates of other States and Territories reproduced from ABS data.

	Population at end Mar qtr 2015	Change over previous year	Change over previous year
PRELIMINARY DATA	‘000	‘000	%
New South Wales	7 596.6	101.2	1.4
Victoria	5 914.9	97.5	1.7
Queensland	4 766.7	61.1	1.3
South Australia	1 696.2	13.9	0.8
Western Australia	2 587.0	35.3	1.4
Tasmania	516.1	1.5	0.3
Northern Territory	243.8	0.5	0.2
Australian Capital Territory	389.7	4.8	1.3
Australia(a)	23 714.3	316.0	1.4
(a) Includes Other Territories comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

The majority of population growth occurs in Australia’s capital cities.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has projected that Melbourne’s population will exceed Sydney’s by 2052 on two of the three scenarios modelled.

Under the “high fertility, overseas migration and life expectancy” scenario, Melbourne’s population would be 9.193 million by the middle of the century and Sydney’s 8.431 million.

Under the “medium fertility, overseas migration and life expectancy” scenario, Melbourne’s population would be 8.162 million, and Sydney’s 8.124 million.

Under the “low fertility, overseas migration and life expectancy” scenario, Melbourne’s population would be 7.353 million and Sydney’s 7.716 million.

Whether or not Melbourne becomes Australia’s largest city by 2052, one thing is clear, all of those people coming to Melbourne are going to need somewhere to live. The demand for housing in Melbourne is going to continue to increase and so are the prices of well located property.

Call us:

+614 30129662

Oak Laurel – loans made easy!

The post Victoria has Australia’s fastest growing population appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1FKwXsy

The post Melbourne is Australia’s hottest property market – Oct 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

Melbourne is now Australia’s hottest property market – October 2015

Data shows that Melbourne is now Australia’s hottest property market! Up until recently Sydney was Australia’s hottest property market. There are now indications that Sydney is coming off the boil and Melbourne has become the hottest property market!

What give you that idea you may ask. Well it is all in the data!

Auction clearance rates

Auction clearance rate are in indication of how ‘hot’ a property market is. The greater then clearance rates, usually the greater the gains seen in property prices. When the market is hot, vendors / sellers like to sell their property at auction. High auction clearance rates mean that bitters are reaching the property reserve prices and in many cases can exceed the reserve price by a large margin as buyers are willing to bid extra so that they don’t need to try again at the next auction and face paying even more at a later date.

Currently, the number of properties going to auction is the highest in Melbourne with over a thousand properties going to auction in a week according to Domain.com.au.  With all those listing you might expect that the clearance rate goes down due to competition between properties on the market but the auction clearance rate was the equal highest in Melbourne and Adelaide. However, Adelaide only has a hundred or so auction in a week so a high clearance rate is not that indicative of a hot market when so few properties are being put for auction.

Sydney has had a good run but now the auction clearance rate is down from previous highs and lagging behind Melbourne’s. This does not mean that Sydney is dead, with around a 70% auction clearance rate, it just means that it is lagging behind Melbourne.

Property price index

According to the Core logic RP data home value index in the past couple of weeks Melbourne has been hitting new price highs each day. Other  cities have been behind their past price highs. This may only be a rough measure but where consistent gives an indication of where the gains are being made.

Individual property sales

Though not much can be gained from individual property sale prices, it can give some indication of the trend. For example last Saturday a property in Mount Waverley in Melbourne’s south east, a suburb attracting buyers for proximity to amenities especially good schools, sold for $6 million. The block was large and there was speculation that it was for redevelopment but even so if that is an indication of the land price then the land prices are appreciating quickly in Mount Waverley and surrounding suburbs.

Conclusion: Melbourne is the hottest property market and has good long term prospects

With Melbourne headed to be Australia’s largest city I guess that it is no surprise that there is a lot of interest in Melbourne’s property market. With more and more people moving to Melbourne, more than any other Australia city, the interest in well located Melbourne property is only likely to continue in the future.

Call us:

+614 30129662

Oak Laurel – loans made easy!

The post Melbourne is Australia’s hottest property market – Oct 2015 appeared first on Oak Laurel.

from Oak Laurel | RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1P6CUlq