Reserve Bank

Its great news that the reserve bank of Australia has cut interest rates. Its interesting how the banks don’t pass on the full rate cut to the consumer though. The explanation that the banks give is the cost of utilising client deposits is higher than the interest rate. I suppose that could be logically correct in some circumstances if they are using the deposits of customers in Australia to fund loans, but not if they are using funds from overseas as the cost of that funding source is much lower. Consumer confidence in Australia is at its lowest and the reserve bank cutting interest rates by half a base point further demonstrates to the consumer that there is no confidence in the economy.  The reserve bank needs to cut interest rates on at least two further occasions in total between half a base point to one, then I believe they could remain static for the next couple of years.

The Australian Government must realise that if we take the mining industry out of the equation we are in a recession, we are not the lucky country as they say we are just lucky to have resourses to depend on

Once the confidence is restored to the public with job security then the housing market will take off again in order to meet demand as we don’t currently have enough homes to accommodate our growing population.

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Australians Struggling to Enter Property Market

The latest edition of the Real Estate Business Bulletin came through with an interesting article lately on how the Australian Public is struggling to enter the property market.

You can find a copy of the article located at:  http://www.rebonline.com.au/breaking-news/3636-australians-struggle-to-put-foot-on-property-ladder

In reading this article, I found it fascinating how statistics are showing that the affordability of new home buyers entering the market has not adjusted to the current income of your average mum and dad. The only way for many Australians to afford their own homes now is to either have government intervention, or alternatively, follow the trend of the overseas markets which involves living in complexes rather than a house or house and land package with all the frills that we are used to – formal areas and living areas.

The government should consider this statistic.  It’s quite clear and it shows that they need to push through another extended first homebuyer grant, which will then proceed to creating work in building houses, and processing those loans.. .the chain will continue to grow, and we will continue to see growth as a nation, and your average Australian can then buy their dream.

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Wednesday News Links

It’s been a bit quiet on the mortgage and rate front lately, so I haven’t had much to say! But I’ve got some new news articles to share, and I hope everyone has a good look at some of these.  There are signs of recovery from the Melbourne Cup day rate hike!

http://www.news.com.au/money/property/surprise-jump-in-home-loans/story-e6frfmd0-1226005731579

http://www.news.com.au/money/property/avoid-borderline-decisions-with-property/story-e6frfmd0-1226006744743

http://www.news.com.au/money/westpac-and-cba-refuse-to-give-in/story-e6frfmci-1226005487690

http://www.news.com.au/money/property/bad-news-renters-more-rises-on-the-way/story-e6frfmd0-1226004712670

http://www.news.com.au/money/banking/nabs-exit-fee-plan-triggers-fresh-bank-mortgage-war/story-e6frfmcr-1226004723361

http://www.news.com.au/money/commonwealth-bank-plans-a-home-loan-push/story-e6frfmci-1226003440700

http://hia.com.au/hia/news/article/MR/National/HIA%20Welcomes%20Moves%20To%20Restore%20Rent%20Scheme.aspx

http://hia.com.au/hia/news/article/MR/National/EC/Rate%20Hikes%20Impact%20New%20Home%20Lending%20In%20December.aspx

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Brokers, not Banks

The Australian has published an article on their website lately regarding how the public has indeed turned towards your average broker, rather than to your average bank, for their home loan needs.

According to the article which was published on 13 January, Mortgage Brokers have gone up in both the number of loans that they have written up, along with the average loan given out – from $270,688 to $276,715.

The Market Intelligence Strategy Centre (MISC) has said that there is a better than expected performance, and that borrowers are being encouraged to embrace alternative channels for their home loan needs.

The major banks have seen their market share fall from 91 percent to 87.4 percent in the last six months, while non bank lending is up 49 percent in the last two months.

As well in the mortgage news, fixed rate mortgages are becoming more and more popular with borrowers again as people begin to fear the potential for future interest rate rises. On the flip side of that, however, building approvals have fallen due to the November rate hike.

There is news on the house price front as well.  Prices in Perth have been reduced on average around $44,000, and according to a news.com.au article, buyers in Perth aren’t seeing capital appreciation – and haven’t since August 2007. Melbourne is the strongest market around Australia currently, in fact.

And, last but not least, never fear if you have been unable to save for a home loan.  Mortgage broker Loan Market has been lobbying banks to allow people who are applying for home loans to use rental payments as evidence of savings – and St George Bank has become the first Aussie bank to change its requirements to allo rental payments to count. This is a huge boost nowadays as rents are sky high to compensate for the rate rises and the economy.

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Happy and Prosperous New Year to All

The Christmas decorations have been put up, and now it’s time for the new year to begin.  The thing I like the most about the new year is the fact that there are so many chances to hit the ‘restart’ button.

One of the things I like to do at the start of every new year is think about my goals for the upcoming year. Recently in the office we had a goal setting session, you could feel an uplifting of the energy in the office at the end.  There was a spirited discussion regarding goal setting and how specific do you want to be.  Instead of “I want to make money this year with sales” – “I am going to make x amount of dollars this year.”  Envisioning your goals, and giving them realistic and concrete ideas are the solid foundations to making your goals a reality.

There are signs of life in the property sector as well, showing that even the new year can breathe new life into the unsteady.  Construction is up, and people are flocking to fixed rate mortgages and changing their banks in preparation for what lies ahead in this year.

With the good news there, it’s easy to see that 2011 is shaping up to have a far more positive feel than 2010 did!

There is a dark cloud on the sunny horizon, however. My thoughts and prayers go out to those in Queensland who are suffering through these terrible floods.  At last count the death toll was up to nine and there were more than 6500 properties that had been damaged due to the flood waters.  At the same time, the generosity of the Australian Public is once again being seen with money and help pouring in from all over the country as well – that’s the way, my fellow Aussies!

I hope that for all of us here in Australia, this year will be a great one.

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Government’s “Fifth Pillar”

A banking enquiry at the senate has indicated a few interesting things lately.  One of the major banks is indicating a .5% increase in the next year and Aussie Home Loans founder John Symonds reckons the government’s “fifth pillar” plan is an absolute joke.

Honestly, between you and me, I think the government should take note of the bank and finance industry and take a harder line.  In my view, they should stop supporting the banks and create a new government bank.  It’ll throw competition into the market for the private sector and the bank can then support the small businesses – which are the backbone of Australia! and also your average Aussie Battler who are trying to achieve that dream of the purchase of their dream home!

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Wednesday Headlines and Thoughts

I’ve been a bit quiet lately on the home loan and affordability front, spending a bit of time preparing for the Christmas season – and now that the initial rush is over of parties and entertainment, it’s time to get back to brass tacks – property, and the affordability of it.

Thankfully this Christmas season, the average Australian is a bit more resilient than what the banks initially realized and the spending is starting to begin. We’re finding comfort from the rate hold from December, and the predictions that the rates will continue to hold for a few months yet.

I’m also finding it interesting that I was right.  More and more Australians are turning to non-bank lenders in order to facilitate their home loan needs.  I hate to say “I told you so”…

Treasurer Wayne Swan has promised us bank reforms, and promised to make it easier to switch between lenders. However, this makes the non-bank lenders a bit nervous, as they do not have the capability to absorb these new regulatory requirements. It’s an interesting situation to watch out for.

Some interesting property headlines I’ve found while browsing today:

Consumers resilient despite higher rates

Failure is Inevitable

New online tool will save borrower’s money

Let’s get a dialogue going on these items.  I’m interested to hear what you have to say about the property market, affordability, and banks in Western Australia.  What do you think?

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Friday News: Thoughts and Opinions on Headlines

With the rate rises in the news lately, the HIA has issued a report that affordability in the Housing Market of Australia has become an issue.  According to the HIA article published online on 25 November 2010, it takes double the average income to afford the median mortgage in Australia’s two most expensive cities (Melbourne and Sydney).

You can find the rest of the article here.

In further news today, the RBA stated that a rate hike is unlikely in December.  With 40% of Australians feeling like they’re being held hostage by their banks, it seems to me that there’s a clear and present message to the “Big 4″ and the Government – STOP THIS MADNESS! People don’t like to feel like they are being held hostage.

Living in Australia has become more and more expensive.  We pay the highest rates in the world – we have the highest taxes in the world – our cost of living here is astronomical compared to some other places in the world, and yet there’s very little relief in sight for us.  We can’t afford our mortgages, we can’t afford to barely pay our utilities that keep increasing, and we can barely afford to feed ourselves with the price of milk and bread in the supermarkets. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE, or we’ll find ourselves staring at the bottom of a barrel much like the Americans once the GFC hit two years ago.

IAG boss Mike Wilkins then warns us to not get too cocky about our current economic fortunes.  Is he even on the same planet as the rest of us? Yes, we’ve managed to avoid the global recession – mostly in thanks to Asia and the Mining Sector! But we’re headed down towards a recession if we don’t start taking care of our people at home and opening our eyes to the struggles that your average Australian faces.

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Tuesday News – Thoughts and Opinions

Every day I wade into the world of news and have a look at various different headlines that catch my eye.  A lot of these have to do with things other than property – there’s investment, world news, and travel as well.  Some of the news articles relating to property that have caught my eye so far this week are pretty good, and I thought I’d share them with you all.

First up, we have this article from news.com.au. It’s probably a good thing the ghost of Christmas Future isn’t here.  He’d be rubbing his skeletal fingers in anticipation of this latest tidbit, as homeowners are becoming more and more tightfisted these holidays.  According to the article, one in ten homeowners have had to cancel their Christmas holiday plans.   I don’t know about you, but that’s really frustrating to see.  How many people are going to go this holiday season without being able to see their loved ones because our banks have gotten even more greedy? It’s heartbreaking, in my opinion, to see something like that.  We’re one of the most expensive places in the world to live, and it’s just gotten more expensive.

Another article that caught my eye can be found here.  It’s a series that news.com.au is running with the opinions of four financial planners who work with a variety of clients – Gen Y, Gen X, Baby Boomers and Retirees.  It’s a fascinating look at the differences between the current generations, and the housing market and how they all relate.  I recommend having a look when you get a chance – won’t regret it, especially if housing and mortgages are on your mind (as they are with everyone lately!)

Last but certainly not least, my heart and prayers go out to the miners and their families in New Zealand.  I hope they get you out of there, and we have a Chilean ending to this mining tragedy that’s close to home.

What do you think about these articles? Share your thoughts with me, either here, or catch me on Facebook (Corrado Cusma) or Twitter (CorradoCusma).

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Government on the Right Track?

Just a few quick thoughts between meetings today. The government is on the right track with its fifth pier scheme for financial providers.  With the exception of the mining industry, Australia’s economy has all but flatlined.  Our public is expecting more rate rises when we already have the highest interest rates and tax rates in the world.  If we’re not careful, we’re going to market ourselves to a recession!

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