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Top 5 tips for standing out on Airbnb

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Mortgage Broker KellyvilleThe short term rental market is booming. Each year, tens of thousands of Australians list their properties on Airbnb to make a tidy buck on the side. Here are our top five tips on how to stand head and shoulders above your competition.

Most people who own an investment property prefer to rent it out long term. It’s more of a set and forget approach, if you like.

But for some, such as those who own one home and/or those who travel for long periods, renting out their property on platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz is becoming an increasingly appealing option.

In fact, in 2017 more than 30,000 people listed their homes on Airbnb across Sydney and Melbourne alone.

These numbers have made the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sit up and take notice. So much so that the ATO recently declared they’ll be ramping up their enforcement activities and will undertake 4,500 audits of taxpayers they suspect may not be declaring Airbnb income.

Suffice to say, when the ATO starts paying attention to a marketplace, you know money is being made.

Here are our top 5 tips on how to make more money than the next person.

1. Professional photos

First impressions last, and these days the first impression is the webpage impression on your Airbnb listing.

You don’t see real estate agents walking around with outdated camera phones taking dank snaps of the living room. And neither should you!

A good photographer has the skills and equipment to highlight the beautiful little details that makes your property sing, and crop out the less than desirable qualities that may turn a potential guest away.

Obtaining high quality images from a professional real estate photographer costs between $150-$300 via websites such as Snappr or Airtasker.

If they get you just one extra two to three night booking they’ll have already paid themselves off.

2. The devil is in the details

There’s no point in having a photographer take wonderful photos of your property only for the guest to show up and feel like they’ve been conned by the old bait and switch!

You need to put in that extra bit of effort to make their stay memorable. After all, they’ve chosen your place ahead of a hotel, not to mention all the other Airbnb competition out there.

There’s a good chance your guest is visiting your local area to check it out. So try and include as much (classy) local artwork, local guidebooks, decorations and information as possible.

The bathroom should also always be spotless, make sure good quality tea and coffee is available for free, and ensure all the basic kitchenware is easy to find.

Other tips include providing menus for local takeaway, tips for local sightseeing, entertainment such as books and boardgames, all necessary electrical appliances such an iron and hairdryer, and some basic cleaning equipment and products in case something gets spilled.

3. Play host, but don’t smother your guest

It’s important that you’re available to your guest should they need to check anything.

That might range from “where is the frying pan?” all the way to “where’s the local hospital?”.

It’s critical that you never show irritation, no matter how trivial or inconsiderate a guest’s inquiry might appear.

That’s because one scathing review can undo a lot of the money, time and effort you’ve invested.

It’s equally important to give your guest the privacy they require. Be on hand to offer any simple tips or suggestions, but don’t pin them down for hours on end chatting to them about your own travels.

This is their holiday after all!

4. Consider using a property management service

If you’re going to be away from your property for a while it’s worth considering taking the hassle and stress out of trying to manage your property from afar by outsourcing to a professional service.

There are plenty of options out there to choose from, including (but not limited to) Hey Tom, Hometime, HomeHost and Airsorted.

Expect to pay about a 15% to 20% (+ GST) commission to them, however most boast that they can help increase your Airbnb income.

5. Thank guests for their reviews

Taking the time out to thank every single guest for their review shows you’re a super attentive host who’s always aiming to please.

The best thing is it also gives you the opportunity to further highlight the positive aspects of your property.

For example, if a guest writes in their review that they had great ocean reviews, reply: “Thanks for the review Craig! Stoked that you enjoyed the ocean views from your bedroom!”

The best thing about this trick is that it even works for negative reviews.

That’s because most negative reviews will also mention something positive about the property. So make sure you thank them for that, acknowledge their complaint and thank them for bringing it to your attention, and advise that you’ve taken steps to rectify the issue for future guests (and actually do so!).

This shows other guests that you’re a very reasonable person who takes all concerns seriously – and will be approachable if they need you during their stay.

Guess who else is approachable?

We are!

If you have any queries or questions about your property and think we might be able to help out, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to help out.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

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New Year New You

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Mortgage BrokerEach Year we Make New Year’s Resolutions that Focus on
Our Health and Wellbeing.

But how often do we think about improving our finances? Here are five financial New Year’s resolutions that could help you start 2019 with a bang!

You might have missed it over the silly season, but the good news for mortgage holders is that many economists are tipping that we won’t see the RBA announce a rate rise in 2019.

Indeed, three leading economists now believe we may even see an interest rate cut this year. (Although, as we saw in 2018, that doesn’t necessarily mean the banks will follow suit).

But instead of sitting around waiting for the RBA and the banks to make a move that could save you money, here are five New Year’s resolution ideas to help you out in 2019!

Resolution idea #1: Cut back on the credit card purchases

The average card holder is paying around $700 in interest per year if their interest rate is between 15 and 20%, according to ASIC.

That $700 is nothing to sneeze at. It’s enough to purchase a new suit or outfit to help you land that new job, fund a year’s worth of home and contents insurance, or take the family on next summer’s camping trip.

Additionally, as of January 1, banks and credit providers are now required to check your debt-servicing capacity more thoroughly before issuing a credit card.

That means if you’re planning to load up on one credit card, and then transfer the debt to a card with a lower interest rate, you might find yourself out of luck.

With that in mind, the next question to ask yourself is: do I really still need a credit card if a debit card will suffice?

Resolution idea #2: Get a home loan health check

Whether the rates go up, down, or stay where they are, it never hurts to get a home loan health check to make sure there’s not a more suitable home loan out there for your situation.

Because while the RBA kept their rates on hold throughout 2018, not all banks did too.

In fact, every single one of the Big 4 Banks increased interest rates in 2018. To make sure you’re still happy with the rate you’re paying compared to what’s available in the market, give us a call.

Resolution idea #3: Purchase less take-away coffees, alcohol and other items

Buying a $4 take-away coffee each day costs you a whopping $1460 per year. Making it yourself using a French Press or Moka Pot can cost just $260 – a saving of $1200.

The lure of micro-transactions – purchases that are low in cost and trivial in nature – can be a real obstacle for those trying to achieve their financial goals.

Other micro-transactions that most families can cut back on include alcohol, take-away food, gym memberships, and multiple entertainment subscriptions such as Spotify, Netflix and Foxtel.

Resolution #4: Ask your employer about salary sacrificing

Salary sacrificing – also known as salary packaging – is generally tax-effective for people who earn more than $37,000 a year.

It helps you save on tax by allowing you to forego your salary in return for non-cash benefits, including car leases, childcare, student loans or superannuation contributions.

It all depends on your employer and the industry you work in but there are three broad categories of things that can be packaged: things that attract fringe benefits tax (FBT), those which do not, and superannuation.

If you’re interested in exploring your options, make an appointment with your employer when you get back into the office this month to see if they can make it work for you!

Resolution #5: Review your insurance, superannuation and banking costs

Whether it’s your home and contents insurance, your car insurance, or a life insurance policy, by calling three or four insurance companies, getting quotes, and then comparing, you can save hundreds of dollars each year.

While you’re at it, make sure you don’t have more than one superannuation fund. If you do, consolidate it by following these steps to avoid doubling up on fees.

Finally, look into your banking fees. Just like a home loan there’s often a better deal out there, so make sure your bank isn’t taking you for a ride!

Final word: Set a financial goal
If you’re not back at work yet, then use this precious time to carefully consider what financial goals you want to achieve in 2019.

It could be saving up for a long overdue holiday, putting away more money towards your kids’ education, or buying an investment property.

If you’re stuck for ideas, come in and have a chat to us. We’d be more than happy to help you identify goals, and can also help with some of the suggestions listed above.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Bank Wanted Mortgage Broking Fees Transferred to Customers

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mortgage broker sydney - demonstrators holding up placards saying; I wish this was fake newsA big four bank almost overhauled its broker remuneration model so that the cost of mortgage broking services would be transferred to the customer, the royal commission heard. Here’s how to prevent that from happening.

The Royal Commission recently revealed that back in 2017 the Commonwealth Bank planned to replace commissions paid to mortgage brokers with a flat fee, but baulked at the last minute.

CBA’s CEO Matt Comyn told the royal commission that CBA believed the most attractive model was one where “customers would pay a broker”.

The move would have saved CBA $197 million over five years if everyone in the market moved with them.

However, without regulator intervention to drive an industry wide move to this model, CBA feared they’d be left hung out to dry by the other big three banks.

“We came to a view that nobody will follow and we will suffer material degradation in volume,” Comyn said.

Not only would this model be a major disadvantage to consumers going forward, it would reduce a new broker’s revenue on an average loan to about a third of what it currently is.

Basically, the only real winner would have been the big banks.

Not the customers. Not the mortgage brokers.

The banks.

Some interesting stats

Here are some interesting statistics from Deloitte Access Economics that may explain why CBA was looking to limit the growth in the mortgage broking market:

– Over the past three decades brokers have contributed to the fall in net interest margin for banks of over 3% points. This saves you $300,000 on a $500,000 30-year home loan (based on an interest rate fall from 7% to 4% pa).

– 27.9% of residential loans are arranged through lenders other than the big four banks and their affiliates, providing competition and more choice for consumers.

– On average, mortgage brokers have 34 lenders on their panel and use 10. It’s this additional choice that adds competition in the market. The only winners from less competition are the big banks.

– 56% of residential loans were settled by mortgage brokers in the September quarter in 2017. This is up from 44% since 2012.

– 70% of a broker’s business comes directly or indirectly from existing customers, demonstrating high levels of customer satisfaction.

– 9 out of 10 customers are satisfied with the services provided by mortgage brokers.

It’s still a live issue

Basically, the only reason CBA didn’t pull the trigger on the move was because it was worried that if it did, the other lenders wouldn’t join them. Instead, they’d swoop in and steal their business.

However, if the regulator enforced a flat fee model, then all the lenders would have to get onboard.

That’s exactly what could happen if it becomes a royal commission recommendation, which is a possibility considering the extensive line of questioning from the royal commission’s counsel assisting, Rowena Orr.

How can you help?

The best way is to contact your local MP to let them know you’re happy with the mortgage broking service we’re currently providing.

By letting your local Federal Member of Parliament know this you can help prevent the cost of our future services being transferred from the bank over to you – and you’ll also be showing your support for us.

Additionally, head over to the The Adviser and Momentum Intelligence survey to share your experience with us. It’s anonymous and only takes two minutes to complete.

If you’d like any more information on this issue don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to speak to you more about it.

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Stress tested your home loan recently?

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 Don’t stress

Best Mortgage Brokers - showing the back of a lime green school bus that has the hash tag message written on it - never stressSeven in 10 Australian mortgage holders have not stress tested their home loan. But don’t stress, it’s much easier to do than you think.

Deloitte Access Economics’ latest report makes for pretty interesting reading.

It turns out the average Australian has a “wide-ranging hesitancy to make any sort of change” when it comes to their mortgages and other financial products.

“Why is it that educated consumers who know they’re not getting the best deal on many of their household products are so unwilling to take action to improve their household finances?” asks a surprised Deloitte.

Interesting mortgage stats

It turns out that 41% of Australians with a mortgage don’t check for interest rate changes because they either have no interest, don’t know what the RBA cash rate is, or do not see its relevance.

Even more interesting is that 68% of people say they have never stress tested their home loan.

“This is a particular worry,” says Deloitte.

“Recent estimates show that a 0.5% increase from current interest rates would cause mortgage stress to jump from one in four mortgaged households to one in three.”

Worse still, a 2% increase would throw half of all mortgaged households into stress.

Now, that might sound like a big increase, but don’t forget that it wasn’t so long ago that interest rates were at that level. In fact, it was only six years ago in June 2012.

So how do you stress test a home loan?

Simple.

Calculate how much extra a 0.5%, 1% and 2% increase on your mortgage would cost you each month and whether your budget can allow for it.

If you’d run into trouble, give us a call and we can work through some risk mitigation options with you, which could include locking in a home loan rate.

Why don’t people care about getting a better deal?

Interestingly, 1 in 3 people know there are better deals out there, while 1 in 5 don’t bother to check for a better deal.

It turns out there are three key reasons people don’t change to a home loan that would see them better off financially, with the first being decision making paralysis.

“Too often, many consumers get stuck before making a choice – and then they do nothing,” explains Deloitte.

Another big reason is people “hate feeling dumb”.

“Consumers also hesitate when they fear or worry about the possibility of making a bad decision. This, coupled with the fact that people tend to avoid what makes them nervous,” adds Deloitte.

The final key reason is that people simply put it off.

“Outcomes set in the distant future typically lack a sense of urgency in contrast with everyday needs, making it easy to defer decision making to a tomorrow that never arrives,” says Deloitte.

How can you overcome these barriers?

Well, here’s the good news. We can help you overcome all three.

For decision making paralysis we can come up with a shortlist of options, reducing the choices you need to make.

Worried about feeling dumb? I bet you we’d feel pretty dumb if we did your job for a day too. But we make it our business to help educate you and bring you up to speed in this market.

And how can you overcome avoidance? Simple. Give us a quick call today and we’ll get the ball rolling for you. You’ll be surprised how little time and effort it takes.

How much does it cost to own a pet?

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mortgage broer sydney - Chinese Shar-Pei dog playing in long grassWe thought we’d have a little fun this week and look at how much it costs the average Aussie family to own a pet. After all, two in three households have one and very few budget for them!

Let’s be honest, owning a pet goes hand-in-hand with the great Australian dream of property ownership.

So let’s be clear here: we’re definitely not making a case against pet ownership. However as Christmas time usually coincides with a spike in pet purchases, it’s a good time to look at the monthly cost factor.

Because if you’ve decided to take on the responsibility of welcoming a pet into your household, then it’s something you oughta plan for and do right!

First, how many of us own pets?

Believe it or not, but two in three Australian households own a pet.

Yet how many of them do you think run a proper budget for it? Probably very few.

And when you consider that more than $12 billion is spent on pet products and services every year, that’s a lot of unallocated money!

So if you’re looking to get a pet for your family, here’s the most common options available, listed from most expensive to cheapest.

Dog

If you’re looking at adding a puppy or rescue dog to your very own wolf-pack as 38% of Australia households have already done, expect to pay about $1475 per year.

Basically, you’re looking at an average of $123 a month for food, vet care, health products, grooming and boarding.

To avoid any vet bill blow outs, it might also be worth considering pet insurance, which will cost an extra $293 per year. Or $25 per month.

And while we’re at it, here’s a fun fact: the number one thing that dogs eat that makes them sick is underwear! So be sure to keep them out of reach!

It’s also worth noting that the above figures don’t factor in upfront costs, which can range from $1000-$5000 to purchase a select breed, or $300-$500 to adopt an RSPCA dog.

Cat

If you’re more of a cat person, like 29% of Australian households, expect to pay $1,029 per year. That’s about $86 a month.

Pet insurance is slightly cheaper for cats, coming in at $20 a month, but then again – cats probably aren’t underwear connoisseurs!

It costs between $100 and $300 to adopt a cat from the RSPCA – depending on their age – while a select breed will cost you between $1,000 and $2,500, and sometimes even more.

Bird and fish

If you’re looking to ease yourself into pet ownership, welcoming a bird or fish into the fold is a much cheaper option.

It costs just $115 per year on average to own a bird, while fish are even cheaper at $50 per year.

Final word

As you can see, purchasing a pet is unlikely to cost you an arm or a leg (so long as they have adequate play toys!).

However, you can minimise the impact it has on your bottom line by including the monthly amount in your family budget, and protecting against vet cost blow-outs with pet insurance.

If you’d like to know more about budgeting, get in touch. We’d be happy to help out.

6 Christmas Tips to Help You Save this Silly Season

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mortgage brokersydney -lady with facial and head christmas attire holding a sandwich plate and a milky drink glassMost of us roll our eyes when we start seeing shopping centres spruik Christmas merchandise in November. While it’s important not to get caught up in the festivities too early, now’s actually a great time to start prepping to ensure your budget doesn’t blow out over the silly season.

The best bit? By following some of the below tips, you can turn the retailers’ early mind games against them and save money instead!

1. Buy food ahead of time

Christmas time tends to lead to a lot of socialising. Even if you aren’t the one catering, requests to bring a plate can add up over time.

Make a point of keeping an eye out for food and drinks specials ahead of time and buy items like boxes of chocolates, long life snacks and drinks when they are on special. That will make it much easier to stretch the food budget over Christmas.

2. Opt for Secret Santas

For people who have a large family or friendship circle, Christmas can lead to a long list of presents to buy. Many people prefer not to get extra clutter for their kids, so suggest a Secret Santa arrangement instead of buying for every person.

This way you can put more thought into each gift as well as not creating more stress.

3. Homemade wrapping paper

If the end of term results in your kids bringing home sheets of artwork, why not recycle these and use them for wrapping paper for the extended family?

Not only does this mean that the kids get to see their artwork being passed on to loved ones, but it also saves you money on buying wrapping paper that will be in the bin by Christmas morning.

4. Shift the focus

Rather than dwelling on social media posts of the perfect Christmas morning with matching pyjamas, shift your focus to the true meaning of Christmas: helping others who are less fortunate.

For instance, instead of getting new books for Christmas Eve story time you could choose books from the library and make a donation to charity that helps literacy in at-need communities.

5. Keep a track of your spending

With a large percentage of Australians overspending at Christmas (and feeling guilty about it), it’s important to keep a budget for Christmas and any associated events – like holidays – over that time.

By following a budget, and starting now, you can spread out your spending – $200 a week over five weeks is much better than $1000 in the week before Christmas.

6. A final few tips

– Create a list of who you need to buy for and brainstorm present ideas before you go shopping.

– Make your own gifts.

– Buy online when sales specials are on. This can help you avoid pressure from sales staff and impulse purchases.

– If hosting a Christmas day event, organise it early so attendees can help out with the food and drinks.

Want some extra help?

If you’re struggling with your budget and don’t know how you’re going to make the money stretch over Christmas, give us a call.

We’d love to help you come up with some strategies to ensure that you and your family get to make the most of the silly season ahead.

Keen to Jump into a Property Hotspot?

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On the up and up. Keen to jump
into a property hotspot?

master broker sydney - looking down on a pair of feet in sand shoes parachuting down to earthWith housing values falling across half of Australia’s capital cities over the past year – and the media well and truly letting us know all about it – it can be all too easy to forget many regions are doing well. Here’s where property prices have recently experienced healthy growth.

The good news is that almost half of Australia’s 88 sub-regions have experienced growth in housing values over the past twelve months, according to CoreLogic.

These sub-regions are more formally known as SA4 sub-regions, which have populations between 100,000 and 500,000 people.

“Half of these regions have recorded a higher rate of annual capital gain relative to their five year average rate of growth, suggesting some acceleration in market conditions,” says CoreLogic’s Tim Lawless.

“In fact, 35% of the SA4 sub-regions have recorded an improvement in their rate of capital gain over the past 12 months relative to their five year average rate of growth.”

So where’s hot?

Two words: regional areas.

In fact, 57% of all regional areas recorded a rise in dwelling values over the past twelve months, while only 39% of the capital city sub-regions recorded an increase.

Here’s a list of the top 10 healthiest growth markets, all of which outperformed their five-year average.

1. Geelong, Victoria, 11.8% growth

2. Hobart, Tasmania, 10.7% growth

3. South East, Tasmania, 9.9% growth

4. Launceston and North East, Tasmania, 9.3% growth

5. Ballarat, Victoria, 7.1% growth

6. Central West, NSW, 6.1% growth

7. Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 6.0% growth

8. South Australia Outback, SA, 5.8% growth

9. Latrobe – Gippsland, Victoria, 5.3% growth

10. Northern Territory Outback, NT, 5.3% growth

Why are regional markets healthier?

The ‘healthier’ conditions across regional markets can be attributed to a range of factors, says Lawless, including:

More sustainable growth conditions: “Most regional areas have seen relatively sedate housing market conditions compared with the heroic gains across Sydney and Melbourne. The more sustainable history of price growth has kept a lid on housing affordability and made these markets attractive to migrants,” says Lawless.

The ripple effect: “A ripple of demand has been emanating from the largest capitals towards the satellite cities where housing is generally more affordable and lifestyle factors can be appealing.”

Sea change: “Many coastal and lifestyle markets have benefited from a rise in buyer demand, either from those looking for a new residence, second home or investment option.”

Bounce back: “Many of the hard hit mining regions have now levelled out and are now showing some growth.”

Capital Cities that have Experienced Growth

There are some capital cities also doing well, says Lawless.

In Brisbane, seven of the nine SA4 sub-regions have seen a rise in values over the past year.

In Adelaide, three of the four SA4 sub-regions have recorded an annual gain.

Hobart is also experiencing significant growth (10.7%), as seen by its second place spot on the list.

“While conditions are broadly slowing, especially around Sydney and Melbourne, many areas of the country are benefitting from a history of more sustainable growth rates, improving demand and reasonably strong economic conditions,” says Lawless.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you’re a first home buyer or an investor looking to purchase property in an area that’s recently experienced growth then get in touch.

We’d love to help you source a great home loan and help make your property ownership dream become a reality.

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Which capital cities have performed best over the past 20 years?

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Sydney? Melbourne? Perth? Find out which of Australia’s capital cities have performed best in the property market over the past two decades.

http://staging.mastermortgagebrokersydney.com.au - map of australia with coloured pins stuck into numerous locations on itWe all love to back a winner.

Some of us painstakingly pore over the most minute details, others tend to just go with their gut.

Either way, it never hurts to have a quick look at past performance.

With that in mind, this week we’ll take a look at the Australian capital city real estate market over the past 20 years and identify which cities were the hottest performers across each market cycle.

The data, compiled by not-for-profit association The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), has been broken up into four lots of five-year periods between 1998 to 2017.

And just a quick heads up: just like a footy premiership table, some years your team is hot, and every now and then it’s not.

2013 to 2017 increases

– Sydney (74.6%) and Melbourne (63.7%) led the way
– Darwin (-10.5%) property prices fell and Perth (0.6%) only experienced slight growth
– All capital cities weighted average growth: 48.4%

2008 to 2012 increases

– Darwin (36.8%) and Melbourne (18%) topped the ladder, but increases paled in significance to surrounding periods
– Hobart (1.9%) and Brisbane (3.2%) experienced the slowest growth
– All capital cities weighted average growth: 12.2%

2003 to 2007 increases

– Perth (139.8%), Hobart (126.4%) and Darwin (106%) property prices more than doubled
– Sydney (16.4%) and Melbourne (59.9%) performed worst
– All capital cities weighted average growth: 53%

1998 to 2002 increases

– Melbourne (88.2%) and Sydney (84.2%) led the way
– Darwin (5.1%) and Hobart (21.7%) experienced the most sluggish growth
– All capital cities weighted average growth: 70%

Additional observations

So hang on, where were Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra?

In most periods they sat smack-bang in the middle of the table experiencing steady growth.

PIPA chairman Peter Koulizos says the stats prove Aussie investors and homebuyers over the past two decades have made solid returns across almost every capital city – not just Sydney and Melbourne.

He adds that while long-term investors invariably come out ahead with Australian capital city real estate, the biggest gains are made by identifying markets that have bottomed and are set to improve.

“Of course, many buyers don’t have access to the information or experience needed to monitor and predict property cycles,” he says.

“Investors should seek independent qualified property investment advice to give themselves the best chance of getting the best returns on their money, as timing the property market can be just as important as time in the market.”

Final word

Navigating the property market can be tricky. And sometimes you can be so caught up in the process of trying to back a winner that you don’t have time for anything else – like trying to organise finance.

So if you’d like a hand with purchasing your dream property, give us a call (02 8861 1689), we’d love to help you out.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

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Six ways to ride through life’s tougher times

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finance broker - photo of a young lady's out stretch arm with thumb up trying to hitch a ride

Sticking to a financial plan – such as paying off a mortgage – can be a long journey that’s punctuated by high highs and low lows. Here are some tips to get you through the tougher times.

October is generally the month that people all around Australia and the world dedicate to improving awareness around mental health.

According to Mental Health Australia, 1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness, yet many don’t seek help because of stigma.

The thing is, mental health and financial safety are strongly linked, with many studies showing personal finances are one of the main sources of stress.

With that in mind, below we’ve outlined six ways you can help protect your mental health from being eroded by financial concerns.

First, however, we believe it’s important to add that if you’re feeling severely down or depressed, please contact your GP or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

1. Know the warning signs

Signs that you may not be coping as well as normal include:

– Arguing with the people closest to you about money
– Sleeping difficulties
– Feeling angry, fearful or resentful
– Sudden mood swings
– Loss of appetite
– Not wanting to hang out with family or friends as much as usual.

2. Exercise daily

Exercise releases feel-good chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin. It also gets you out and about, which minimises your feelings of loneliness.

You don’t have to run a marathon or anything either. Just a brisk 30 minute walk each day will deliver both physical and mental health benefits – and help you sleep better at night.

3. Eat well

There’s not much use doing all that exercise if you’re just going to smash a few Big Macs straight after.

Instead, try cooking some new healthy recipes with your loved one, or inviting a friend you haven’t seen for a while to come eat with you.

A healthy diet not only improves your physical health, but it’ll make you feel better too.

The best bit? Cooking uses brain power, which will help distract you from any issues that are making you down or anxious. And they’ll make you proud of your gourmet creations, of course!

4. Reach out to support networks

Make an effort to reach out to and catch up with family, friends and other members of your community.

Don’t wait for them to reach out to you – be the one who initiates contact.

It doesn’t have to cost you anything extra, either. Kill two (or three!) birds with one stone and invite them over for a walk, or a home-cooked meal.

5. Positive sense of identity and an optimistic outlook

Always look on the bright side of life.

For example, if you’ve recently become redundant, look at it as an opportunity to launch into a new job, or finally give running your own business a shot.

Also, adopt a positive attitude to seeking support. Rather than feeling down about seeking help, take pride in the fact that you’ve got the initiative to recognise when you’re not feeling up to par.

6. Improve your financial literacy

Sometimes, our finances can feel all too overwhelming, which in turn, gets us feeling down.

If you fall into that category, brushing up on your financial education can help you feel a whole lot better about things – not to mention equip you with the tools you need to improve your budget bottom line.

Our regular blog covers a wide range of topics that can help you improve your financial literacy.

Alternatively, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re worried about your finances, such as paying off your mortgage.

We’d be more than happy to workshop some ideas with you to help improve your situation and get you sleeping better at night.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Mortgage stress: What it is, and how to avoid it

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http://staging.mastermortgagebrokersydney.com.au - note spelling out how to avoid mortgage stress - stress is spelled in dramatic red letters

You might be comfortable paying off your mortgage now, but what if things change? Here are some tips on how to avoid a mortgage stress fracture.

http://staging.mastermortgagebrokersydney.com.au - note spelling out how to avoid mortgage stress - stress is spelled in dramatic red lettersPaying off a mortgage is one of the biggest financial challenges you and your family will ever tackle.

And it isn’t easy – mortgage repayments take up about one-quarter of a family’s income on average, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2016 Census.

While most families manage, what happens if your circumstances change?

An unexpected redundancy, relationship breakdown, illness or accident can dramatically impact your ability to make your payments and put you in mortgage stress.

But first, what is mortgage stress?

While there isn’t a technical definition for the term, mortgage stress is generally considered to occur when a person or family is spending 30% or more of their income on home loan repayments.

There are also a range of other criteria which would suggest you’re experience mortgage stress.

If you’re paying only the interest on your home loan, borrowing money from family, or having difficulty paying your bills, then you might be experiencing mortgage stress.

I don’t have a problem now, why worry?

It’s unwise to assume your circumstances will never change. An accident or illness can befall a person at any time, and the impact on your finances can be devastating.

An increase in interest rates can also have a significant impact on your mortgage repayments. A simple 0.25% rate hike can increase repayments on the average Australian loan ($375,000) by about $50 a month.

Over the course of a year – and with a potential of further rate hikes – this can really chew into your disposable income.

Ok, so how can I avoid it?

The smart borrower won’t wait for their circumstances to change, they’ll start planning now to make sure they can weather a storm if it hits.

Steps you can take to reduce your risk include:

Step 1: Use a mortgage calculator to see what your repayments would will look like if there was a rate increase. Would you be able to keep up?

Step 2: Review your current income and expenses, and make a new family budget. Use it to track where your money is going and where savings can be made, so you can either pay off your mortgage sooner or get by if things go awry.

Step 3: If you’re worried about your mortgage, or concerned about the impact of a future rate hike, come pay us a visit.

We can talk to you about your situation and help you make a plan to ensure a small problem doesn’t become a big one.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

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