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The Gold Coast has become one of Australia’s most attractive real estate investment locations. There’s a lot to love along this 57 km stretch of coastline in Queensland. While it’s an appealing region for locals to buy in, it’s actually garnered attention from investors across the globe. Why are so many real estate buyers flocking to Australia’s Gold Coast?

The 2018 Commonwealth Games

Anticipation of the 2018 Commonwealth Games has had a powerful impact on the Gold Coast real estate market. This multi-sport event is scheduled to commence April 4^th, 2018. Along with the excitement of the games, the area has enjoyed increased property values for over a year. Real estate agent Eddie Sarroff stated that he predicts that the rise will continue as the beginning of this celebrated event draws closer.

Increased Value That’s Good for Investors

The Queensland Valuer General released reports that show the annual valuations on over 140,000 city properties. An increase of 14.4% was noted as of October 2015. The top suburbs were identified and include Labrador with a 22.9% increase, Bilinga with a 24.4% increase, Broadbeach with a 25% increase and Runaway Bay with a 25% increase.

Better Areas Attracting New Buyers

Great efforts have gone into improving the safety and appeal of individual communities. Former policewoman and councillor Margaret Grummitt understands the struggles and challenges faced by local infrastructure. Since 2000, police and council have worked to lower crime in Labrador. She even points out that “there are new blocks with $800,000 units”, revealing signs of financial growth in the area.

The Gold Coast Fits Modern Lifestyles

Michelle Cieselski, Director of Residential Research for Knight Frank, stated that many high-net worth individuals appreciate the convenience of the Gold Coast and that “A lifestyle property on the Gold Coast also offers the perfect setting for semi-retirement or those who don’t necessarily need to be in the office full time.”

Gold Coast Property Market Moves in the Right Direction

The Gold Coast property market continues to thrive. While some are cautious about calling it a real estate boom, there’s no denying the tremendous growth that doesn’t show any sign of stopping. Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia Gold Coast was quoted as saying “I think there’s a return of confidence on the Gold Coast in terms of property development in particular. I think it’s a good story.”

Now is a great time to own your own piece of the Gold Coast! Contact Seajay Mortgage Brokers to discuss your financing options and become a part of the growing Gold Coast property market.

The First Home Buyers Grant is a good way to save money on your property investment. Paying off a home takes years, which is why buyers should consider all their options to keep costs as low as possible. Based on the date of contract, you may be eligible to receive $15,000 or $20,000 towards the purchase of a new house. You may also be eligible if you are building your own home. So how do you know if you are eligible for Australia’s First Time Home Buyers Grant?

Over 18 Years of Age

The first (and simplest) qualifying factor to determine eligibility is age. The grant recipient must be at least 18 years old. There is no age cap, so any legal adult can apply for and receive the First Time Home Buyers Grant. While there are no laws against a minor owning property, there are a few concerns to address including paying maximum tax rates and difficulty enforcing contracts.

First Time Home Buyers Only

Part of the eligibility requirement is in the name of the grant. You must be a first time home buyer in order to qualify. If you are married, then that rule also applies to your spouse. All adults involved in the buyer’s side of the purchase must have never owned their own home in the past.

Legal Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident

You must be a legal Australian citizen or permanent resident. Documentation may be required to prove your status. To expedite the process, new buyers should gather all the necessary documents before they apply for a First Time Home Buyers Grant.

Newly Built or New Residential Home

Some of the guidelines apply to the property you are buying rather than you. According to the official Queensland government website, established residences are not eligible. That would include an existing home that has been lived in before. Homes that are eligible are either newly built (never lived in), in the process of being built or an existing home that was heavily renovated. A renovated property must have remained vacant after the work was finished in order to qualify.

Home Valued at $750,000 or Less

The total value of the property must be estimated at no more than $750,000.

If you meet all the above-mentioned criteria, then you may be eligible to receive the First Time Home Buyers Grant for your Gold Coast house purchase. Contact Seajay Mortgage Brokers to find out more about this money-saving real estate investment opportunity!

 

Real estate Gold Coast wide is in demand, and for many good reasons. Global consultant firm Knight Frank’s annual The Wealth Report 2016 revealed that the Gold Coast ranks among the top 3 locations to buy a second home. That report compared properties across the world, not just in Australia. If you want your investment to be lucrative, there are a few things you should know before you buy Gold Coast real estate.

Know What You Can Afford

Budgeting should be done before you look at your first potential property. You have to know how much you can comfortably afford so you know which properties are a good fit. Review your assets and income, so you have accurate numbers to work with when you begin your home search. Many Australians think they cannot afford to invest but are surprised to find that they actually can. Having a stable job with reasonable pay and a proven employment history is a big part of getting approval for financing.

Buy Property with Grants

A grant can help offset the coast of your real estate investment. The government offers a First Time Home Owner Grant scheme, also known as an FHOG. This one-off grant is available to new home buyers who are:

• 18 years of age or older
• A citizen of Australia or permanent resident
• A first time homeowner (spouse must also be a first time homeowner)
• Buying or building a home
• Looking at a home valued at under $750,000

In Queensland, this grant is known as the Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant. The amount was recently boosted for a total potential payout of $20,000.

Compare Loans Before You Sign

The first loan option presented to you may not be the best available. Once you have combed real estate Gold Coast wide and found the ideal location, you need to start your search for the best financing solution. It can be tremendously helpful to have a professional on your side to help you jump through the hoops and get approval.

The easiest way to compare home loans is to request a fact sheet from the lender you are considering. These documents will provide an overview of the loan so you can compare fees and features side by side. You’ll see how much total will be paid over the entire loan period, interest rates and all applicable fees you will have to pay should you move forward.

Choose an Investment that Fits Your Lifestyle

There are many investment opportunities available on the Gold Coast, but not all are equal. You should also choose the right property based on your available resources and lifestyle. For example, if you are considering a home that requires significant repair and renovation, are you sure you can finish the job? Do you have time to do it yourself or will funds be available to hire a contractor? Make sure your Gold Coast real estate investment will fit with your lifestyle.

Find Financing for Real Estate Gold Coast Wide!

The best way to finance your real estate investment is with the help of a professional who understands the industry. Catrina at Seajay Mortgage Brokers brings over 15 years of industry experience to every investment she handles. Contact her today to learn more and start your journey to a lucrative real estate investment!

In case you missed it, the Gold Coast Bulletin featured Seajay Mortgage Brokers in their business section yesterday!

The article was in recognition of Seajay being awarded the Plan Australia Queensland Rising Star Award.

The award recognises brokers for high performance and for the largest volume of loans sold in the 2015 financial year.

“Most of the brokers also have several staff so to win it when I’m on my own, I was over the moon”

I’m looking forward to where the future will take me and again, would like to say a massive thank you to all of my loyal clients over the years.

When purchasing a home with a mortgage, you want to make sure that you are getting the absolute best home loan rate that you can. After all, even just a small raise in the percentage rate of the interest on your loan payment can mean a difference of over thousands of dollars over time. Before making such a big and important decision, it is important to compare as many different options as possible. There are many home loan comparison tools out there that you can use, one of the main tools is a home loan comparison rate. If you’re not sure what a home loan comparison rate is, take a look at our previous blog post. While these loan comparison tools can be helpful for reference, they shouldn’t be used as your only tool when picking a mortgage. You should consult with a professional, such as a mortgage broker, before coming to a final conclusion.

So why shouldn’t you focus on only the home loan comparison rate?

The biggest reason you shouldn’t use home loan comparison rates as your only reference when making a decision is that they are a very broad number. They are based on annual averages, which compile a huge range of statistics, including all interest rates and fees for various types of home loans. While this can give you a great reference point to start from at a glance, it doesn’t take into account the specifics of the loan or your personal situation. While a home loan’s comparison percentage may look amazing, it might not be the right loan for you depending on your needs.

What other factors do you need to take into account?

There are many factors that go into deciding whether a home loan is right for you or not. Yes, the interest rate is important, but so are things like the length of the loan and the reputability of the lender. Before taking out a mortgage, you should do some fairly extensive research into the process of buying a home and what various lending terms mean. With more knowledge in your pocket, you will be able to better evaluate whether a home loan is right for you or not. You will also need to take into consideration whether or not you will actually qualify for the loan. If you have bad credit or an inconsistent employment history, you may find that you aren’t able to get the exact loan you want.

Are home loan comparison rates useless then?

No! This doesn’t mean that you should never look at home loan comparison rates. It just means that you should be very careful with how you do it, and make sure to take other factors into consideration. If you are struggling to find a loan that works for you, be sure to consult your mortgage broker for more guidance.

Looking to take out a home loan in Australia? You’re not alone – thousands of people from around the world are drawn to Australia’s stunning natural beauty, warm temperatures, and vibrant metropolitan areas. Virtually every city has great areas that are comfortable and safe to live in, and there’s something for everyone, from young professionals looking for excitement, to families looking for comfort and convenience. Lucky for you, the Australian housing market is in a great place right now, and it’s actually easier than ever for most people to get good home loan rates (with some research and smart decision-making, of course). If you are interested in moving to a new home in Australia, it is important to start researching your options now – you will be surprised how many choices you have.

What are the current home loan rates?

At the time of writing (September 2016), home loan rates in Australia are at record lows. Most are well under five percent, making this the perfect time to buy a property and get a mortgage. The interest rate on your mortgage is very important – even just a tenth of a percentage point could mean a difference of thousands of dollars over the years. If you are thinking about buying a home in the near future, start keeping an eye on rates now, and watch how they change over time. You will start to get an idea of how the market works, and you will be able to decide when the time is right to make your move and apply for your loan.

Are all home loan rates the same?

It is also important to note that your rates will depend very heavily on your individual situation. Although online comparison tools are very helpful, it is important to also talk to professionals in the mortgage industry, as they will be able to take a more in-depth look at your situation, and recommend the best decision for you. Not everyone has the perfect credit or an amazing job history that will enable them to qualify for these super-low rates, but by talking to a mortgage broker, you can find a solution that works for you. It is very important to work with a broker when taking out a loan, because they have connections with lenders that could potentially help you to get lower rates than you could get on your own. They will also be able to point you in the direction of a loan that has features better suited to your situation.

Should I be refinancing my loan?

Since rates in Australia are so low right now, it is the perfect time to make the most of it by applying for or refinancing a home loan. A broker can help you with the refinancing process if that is something you are interested in. There are a number of different factors to take in to account when applying for refinancing so talking to a mortgage broker can help you to avoid any major pitfalls. You can read more about the refinancing process in one of our previous blog posts here.

Talk to us at Seajay Mortgage Brokers about getting the right loan for you today!

Are you preparing to buy your first home? Congratulations – we know you have been likely dreaming about this moment for a very long time. But before you can relax and enjoy your new space, there are many logistic factors that you will need to figure out. Many first home owners jump into their new purchase far too quickly, without properly taking care of financial factors that could affect them for years to come. Here are the top five mistakes that first-time home buyers make.

They don’t take enough time to save up or pay off debts before purchasing.

Many first home owners don’t realise just how expensive owning a home can be. Even if you have enough money to buy a home or make a down payment, you will need to have even more money saved up to take care of your living expenses. If you are considering buying a home in the next five to ten years, start saving now – it’s never too early. It is also very important to pay off debts before making a purchase, because not only can they affect your credit and your ability to get a loan, but they are also just one more thing to worry about.

 

They rely too much on online information.

In today’s world of instant information accessibility, it is very easy to quickly find information on home prices and loan rates in your area online. While this is a helpful guideline, you shouldn’t rely on it exclusively when making decisions. You should always work with professionals, like mortgage brokers and realtors, to get high-quality, in-depth information.

 

They don’t consider upkeep or repair costs to the property.

Not only will you be paying mortgage costs every month, but you will also need to spend money to keep your property in good shape. If you purchase an older property, you may also need to make repairs right off the bat just to make it liveable. This is why it is so important to do a home inspection before making a final purchase. An inspection will catch small problems with the property that you would most likely miss.

 

They don’t research loans.

Applying for a loan for the first time is incredibly intimidating – after all, what if you don’t qualify? However, this shouldn’t stop you from researching your loan options before you go house hunting, not after you’ve found your dream property. The last thing you want is to find a great home, only to realise that there’s no way to pay for it because you didn’t budget correctly. Going through a mortgage broker like Seajay Mortgage Brokers can take a lot of stress out of finding a loan. We know the lending industry like the back of our hand and have access to a huge range of lenders which will allow us to work out the best loan for your situation.

 

They forget to budget for the long-term future.

When choosing a home loan, you need to keep in mind that interest rates may increase over time. Many new property owners also don’t budget for upkeep costs over the course of time, which can have a huge impact on your finances.

Buying your first home is a huge step, but something that is incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Planning it out carefully and ensuring that you have a back up plan will make the whole process smoother and a lot stressful. Talk to us today about applying for a loan that suits your needs

If you are in the middle of paying off your home via a mortgage, you are probably finding that the payments can quickly eat into your monthly finances. The home loan interest rate payments on your home loan, in particular, are variable and can cost you thousands of dollars more than you need to be paying over the course of time. You may have taken out a mortgage with a less-than-ideal home loan interest rate simply because you needed to purchase a home right away, or maybe you didn’t qualify at the time for better rates. You may have resigned yourself to dealing with these frustrating high payments, but there are ways to lower your home loan interest rate.

Look in to refinancing

The most common way to lower your home loan interest rate is to refinance your home. Refinancing is the process of paying off your first loan with a second mortgage, which has a much better interest rate. Refinancing is an ideal option if interest rates are much lower now than they were when you originally took out your mortgage, or if you didn’t have the greatest rate to begin with, but your credit score has improved now, enabling you to get something better. If you decide to refinance your home, it is very important to work with an experienced mortgage broker to make sure that you are getting the best possible deal. After all, there’s no point in refinancing if you end up with a new loan that is just as troublesome as the old one.

Pay back your loan faster

If you have cash to spare, there are actually a few other ways that you can lower your mortgage rate quickly. The first is to make extra payments on your mortgage whenever you can. What this will do is lower the total remaining balance on your mortgage, which means that the interest left on it will be lower as well. The quicker you can pay off your mortgage, the less you will pay in interest. This can save you thousands of dollars over time. You can also choose to refinance to a loan with a shorter term, which may mean that your payments look higher on paper, but you will likely pay much less in interest in the long run.

Talk to your current lender

If you are truly struggling to pay your mortgage every month, and it is affecting your ability to live comfortably by eating into your money available for food and general living expenses, that’s when you need to have your mortgage broker talk to your lender. Your lender may be able to lower your rate, and will likely be willing to do so in these circumstances.

If you think you are paying too much for your loan, get in touch with Seajay Mortgage Brokers today – we would be more than happy to help you find an option that suits your needs.

Investing in real estate is a great choice for anyone looking to grow their financial assets over time. You have many potential money-making opportunities, whether you decide to improve the home and sell it, rent it out or use it as a holiday home. Real estate will always add value to your portfolio, but you need to make sure you approach your investment wisely. It can help to work with a mortgage broker, who can help you find a loan with the best interest rates and features for your situation. Here are four pieces of investment property advice to get you started with your property search.

Take your time when researching

One of the most detrimental things you can do when looking for your first investment property is to rush into a purchase. Once you have made the decision to buy a property, you will probably be excited, and it can be tempting to purchase the first property that appeals to you. However, it is important that you give yourself the time to weigh up the pros and cons of any big decision before you make it. Read up on the investment process from experts who really know what they are doing, and then consult with a professional mortgage broker who can help you with the purchase process.

Compare interest rates

Interest rates on investment properties are usually higher than they are on other types of properties, so you will want to compare all of your options to make sure you are getting the best deal. Remember that interest rates will affect you and your finances for years to come, so they are an extremely important factor to consider. While comparison rates are a great way to compare apples with apples, there are a number of other factors that should be taken into account before you choose a loan. This is where it is important to consult with a mortgage broker, because they can help you find low rates quickly.

Save up for a deposit

Don’t forget that you will need to put down a substantial deposit on your investment property when you purchase it. You’ll want to make sure that you can really afford it with money left to spare – after all, there will be plenty of operating costs on your investment property. Give yourself some time to really budget for that deposit.

Find a balance between price and quality

Fixer-uppers can be very high-stress, especially for a first-time investor, so they may not be the best choice for you. However, most people can’t afford to invest in a home with a huge price tag either. Give yourself a budget, and look for a great house that you can afford that needs only minor renovations.

Think you’re ready to take the plunge and invest in property? Get in touch with us to talk about your mortgage options, including pre-approvals and refinancing.