Affordable Winter Property
Ever dreamed of owning your own winter retreat? Thanks to the current economic climate affordable winter property is in abundance. At Pierre Finance we are here to help you realise your dreams. One of the best times to vacation in Australia is in the winter. This could also mean a wise investment. Skiing is a sport for all the family so investing in an alpine home could be a wise move both for yourself and for potential rental prospects. So from June through to August there’s plenty of potential for renting out a ski home.
So where to look! Australia has some awesome ski resorts, so I’ve listed the best below.
Thredbo has the best slopes and is conveniently located between Melbourne and Sydney. It’s popular among foreigners and also domestic enthusiasts. This stunning resort offers excitement on the more advanced slopes while it does have calmer slopes for those not so brave or skilled. The nightlife on offer is vibrant and lively, so it’s not a place for those wanting a quieter ski holiday.
Falls Creek
Famous for being home to Australia’s National Cross Country Ski Team puts this firmly high on the list. This idyllic resort offers stunning countryside with some of the best slopes. Also well known for hosting International and Australian national competitions.
Mt Buller
This the easiest resort to access by road in the whole of Australia. It is only 3 hours away from Melbourne, so it’s ideal for visitors. These slopes cover a massive area of 9 km and according to my skiing and boarding friends it’s popular with adrenaline junkies. Some of the trails are also made for cross country experts and beginners. There’s some great discounts to be found here for students, so bare that in mind if you look for a property here.
Mt Hotham
Hotham is said to have the most natural snow in Victoria and has gained the nickname of the ‘Powder Capital’. Ideal for learners as the powdery easy slopes offer great skill building opportunities. For the more experienced Hotham also has plenty of steep runs.
Mt Perisher
This is the largest out of the above standing at 2000m. As it’s located in Kosciuszko National Park it can be reached by road, shuttles and helicopter.
So according to my skiing and boarding friends these are your skiing hotpots to check out properties to enjoy and also for holiday rental purposes.
Buying a Unit
It’s very difficult for first time buyers to buy a detached property, so buying a unit has become a popular choice of first home. This is particularly popular with those wishing to live in the hustle and bustle of cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and of course Sydney. Units are proving more and more popular among younger clients who want to experience city life before they settle down and have a family.
So the best advice when looking for a unit is to find a well maintained block that has a good ratio of owners more than renters. Well looked after blocks will attract buyers so for future capital gains I would also invest in a decent looking building with a structured maintenance program in place. This could also mean less costs for you. The location should be within walking distance of transport, shops, schools, restaurants and recreational amenities.
A quiet street is also a bonus that could possibly be near a park or leafy area. The building itself as mentioned above should be in good condition and not have any distinguishing structural cracks that could develop into a more serious and expensive problem later. Always get a professional inspection.
Another important factor is to choose a unit that does not face a busy road. You want to be able to open windows to create air flow and to receive minimal noise intrusion. Good ventilation will prevent any musty smells and also allow in natural light.
Try to get a unit that is 80 square metres or more in floor space and avoid one bedroom properties as they don’t sell very well. The level is quite important as well, so go for 1st or second floor for security reasons and easy access or the ground floor if you need the outdoor space. Ground floor properties are very popular with the older investor for obvious reasons and those with young children so bear that in mind also.
Always go for a unit with a car space. This is always attractive to all investors and should you wish to rent it later, tenants in cities always ask for a car space.
So there’s just a few tips for those considering a unit to get them on the ladder. At Pierre Finance we are here for all your financial needs and advice.
Mustang Madness
Australia has gone Mustang madness as the new Ford Mustang is revealed to be imported for the first time in years. Six months prior to its actual launch date Mustang enthusiasts have put down over 2000 deposits, with the V8 GT models being the most popular. As soon as Ford made the announcement the phones in the phones in the importers office ‘The Blue Oval Brand’ went crazy. Some even put down deposits of $600 before the specifications were released.
The models coming over are the EcoBoost 4 Cylinder Turbo Fastback at $44,990, the V8 at $54,990 and the convertibles will be around $6500 more. As well as in America the V8 5 Litre GT Fastback auto holds around 42% of the orders. But a spokesman for Ford said in time that will probably change. Ford seems to think that the EcoBoost model will remain a strong seller over a period of time.
True Mustang enthusiasts have ordered more than one and one sports car rental company has ordered 20. Members of various Mustang clubs are placing deposits on a few models, so they don’t miss out. Race Red seems to be the popular choice with black and magnetic coming close. All the models will have the standard performance pack which includes a K Brace that sits under the hood and secures the strut towers to the bulkhead, a larger sway bar on the heavy front springs on the FastBack and unique classic Mustang tuning. All models will have a rear limited slip differential. Pricing and Models
2015 Ford Mustang pricing (plus on-road costs):
- EcoBoost Fastback manual – $44,990
- EcoBoost Fastback auto – $47,490
- EcoBoost Convertible auto – $53,990
- V8 Fastback manual – $54,990
- V8 Fastback auto – $57,490
- V8 Convertible auto – $63,990
Quick review by Jez Spinks (Car Advice)
Distance Renovating
An interesting subject came up with a property investor so I thought I’d touch on distance renovating. A good point is that not all the best properties for investment renovation are close to home. A more attractive rental yield or lower market asking price may well be in an area that is some miles away. Always with any investment the essential point is to keep costs low in order to get the best potential from your profit. So with the project being a distance away it will be costly to do the renovations yourself with the travel costs on top.
Top tips are to locate recommended local plumbers, builders, carpenters etc. Ask for photo’s of absolutely everything from tiles to taps. A must to any property is a fresh coat of paint. This is the most economical way to make any property attractive to renters and buyers. Once your property is ready to rent out or flip out, hire a rental manager, preferably from an estate agent where you can also later sell your property on. A good idea is to get their advice on what they think is the best renovation plan. This will give you chance to establish a good relationship.
In some cases agents will pop to the project and see how the work is coming along which is a great plus as you can ask them everything you want to know. It is in their interest to see how their future business deal is doing. Again this is a good start in cementing that all important relationship. So don’t be put off by distance renovating it is in some cases really worth looking away from your current location, so keep a close eye on the market. You could always contact investors through forums and popular property news websites for their experienced opinions.
Getting on the Property Ladder!
Getting on the property ladder can be a long road and just when you think you’ve got enough deposit, another financial headache can appear. It is so important to be ahead of the game when working out your finances to afford the mortgage repayments and all that goes with them. The deposit is just the ridge like on the side of a mountain, getting to the top and owning your home outright is hard work. Getting sound advice and assistance from a professional finance expert is essential before you embark on this journey.
Some ideas below to help you on your way:
If you are struggling to save for a deposit then you could go down the investment route. There’s a few ways you can do this, but mainly you could create some rental income. If you find a property in an area that is well established in the rental market then you could make an investment and put in a tenant until your financial situation is healthier. You could then move in yourself. Like I have said above, sound advice and financial planning is needed here, as you could pay your loan off quicker by paying over the minimum repayments while you have the tenant.
Another way would be to build up the equity in the property. Find a home in an area that has a high growth rate. Again you really need to know the property market well or have assistance from a professional. Don’t sell on the property once it has earned a healthy amount of equity, you can borrow against it.
You must track and know the property market well. Remember property has a habit of going down as well, so there’s always a risk. You must follow the capital growth in the area’s you wish to invest. Once you have bought your investment then follow the equity level diligently. For peace of mind talk to us at Pierre Finance before making any home loan decisions. We are here for you every step of the way.
May Rate Cut or Not
There’s a buzz in the air among the finance industry whether the May rate will happen or not! According to some experts they believe interest rates will drop. They say that the RBA are predicted to slash rates by an amazing quarter percent at the next meeting
The reason behind this is that unemployment is on the rise therefore growth stays below trend, so rates will have to be cut. As economic growth is slow it resulted in the first rate cut in February, so hopefully this second one could stimulate the start of an economic pick up aiming to get Australia on the same lines as some monetary policies in Europe and other countries.
Australia still has a high interest rate compared to other international structures, however rates are still low according to past history.
So, hopefully we can get on track with the rest of the world as that evolves it looks like we are catching up with them.
This fall of course is going to attract property investors and homeowners as the fixed rate home loan will be snapped up. Wise property investors will be applying to lock in for a long time instead of the usual 3 – 5 years.
So if that dream home has seemed out of reach in the next few months you must strike while the iron is hot. For investors it’s the time to either sell up and re-invest or add on to their portfolio and shop around for the best lock in deal.
There is going to be some pretty high competitive rates among lenders as investors and even first time buyers take full advantage.
At Pierre Finance we tailor your home loan to your exact objectives and financial situation. The team here are dedicated in service and searching the best possible solution for you every step of the way.
Latest Hot Motorbikes
Turn your two wheel dream into reality with a motorbike loan. Read below about two of the latest hot motorbikes for sale.
Triumph has made an announcement recently regarding it’s Tiger 800 adventure series. It has added a further 2 models now to make it up to 6. There’s an adventure XCA modal and a XRT touring. Both are top of the bike hot spot list and will be available in June this year.
The XRT has a new ‘comfort’ package that includes heated seats and grips. There are also other upgrades like the 650w alternator, GPS mount, tyre pressure checker, aluminium radiator guard and more. It’s predicted to be selling at just under $18,000 and available in white or orange.
The XCA also has lots of new additions and upgrades. The colour options are crystal white and khaki green in matt. It will be on sale at slightly more than the XRT just under $20,000. Both have a factory warranty of 2 years with unlimited mileage.
The Yamaha Bolt has a new modal coming out with all singing all dancing clip on handle bars, removable passenger seat cover and more. It has a retro edge but superb performance. A real head turner, and if you love bikes, this baby is for you. The foot pegs are now further back so your riding position looks slightly more aggressive. The paintwork is cool with a graphic theme.
If it’s a sportier bike you want then this is ideal as it looks slicker and can be adapted easily to a single seater. The engine is 950cc, air cooled, fuel injected with a V-Twin engine. The colour options are envious green and liquid silver. The 5 year warranty is a huge plus point.
Bike loans are made simple at Pierre Finance, just call our award winning team for a quote and advice. We only have your interests at heart so our loan offers are only based on your budget and management.
