Mark Lewis's Blog

News, Views & Opinions In The World Of Finance

December 7, 2010 • 11:24 pm 0

Rising Interest Rates Can Be An Opportunity

On 2^nd November to RBA decided to raise the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.75%. This is the seventh rate increase since October 2009, when the cash rate was at 30 year lows and continues the RBA’s perception that there remains inflationary pressures in the Australian economy.

Without doubt, it caught almost everyone by surprise as data released in the days prior led most economists to predict that rates would remain on hold. Adding further negative sentiment to the rate increase was the CBA’s decision to increase rates by an additional 0.20% with the other major banks certain to add an additional premium to their own increases.

For the average Australian mortgage holder Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Australian Economy, Budgeting, Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, Property Investment, The Economy, affordability, CBA, interest rates, mortgage, RBA, rental income, reserve bank

July 22, 2010 • 12:14 am 0

The Federal Election Effect

WIth the recent announcement of the Federal Election which will see Julia Gillard, the first ‘unelected’ female Prime Minister up against the budgie smuggler wearing Tony Abbott, it is interesting to analyse the effect this has on the housing market. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Australian Economy, Finance Tips, Federal Election, housing, interest rates, Real Estate

June 21, 2010 • 5:05 pm 0

Warning On Home Loans

Prominent Adelaide mortgage broker and Executive Chairman of Bernie Lewis Group, Mark Lewis has warned home buyers and existing mortgage holders to search extensively for the right home loan for their circumstances. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, APRA, Bernie Lewis, home loan, interest rates, Mark Lewis, mortgage adviser, mortgage broker

June 9, 2010 • 11:01 pm 0

Refinance With Caution

With the recent rises in interest rates as well as general cost of living increases, many households are finding it difficult to balance the family budget. This makes it very tempting to refinance the home loan and possibly consolidate other, usually unsecured, debt into one loan with one monthly payment. For some, this can be a good strategy but there are some very important things to consider before launching into it. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Budgeting, Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, Bernie Lewis Home Loans, debt consolidation, home loan, mortgage broker, refinance

June 7, 2010 • 11:59 pm 1

Property Investment Rules

In Australia, well located properties, ie capital cities and major regional centres, tend to have good prospects for capital growth but poor cashflow. For example, the rental return on investment properties in capital cities tends to be around 4%, although this is improving as the rental vacancy rate hovers at all time lows causing a steady increase in rental returns. Conversely, properties offering good cashflow tend to have poor prospects for capital growth. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Finance Tips, General Stuff, Home Loans & Mortgages, cashflow, home loan, Investment property, negative gearing, positive gearing

June 6, 2010 • 9:00 pm 0

Invest Now to Build For The Future

Most people borrow money at least once in their life to purchase a car, house or to invest in property or shares. Borrowing money to purchase growth assets – or even better growth assets that will continue to produce an income – is considered “good debt”. Good debt, such as an investment property, has the ability to increase your wealth over time and help you create a financially secure future. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, investment, mortgage broker, property

June 6, 2010 • 8:47 pm 0

Refinancing

With the recent rises in interest rates as well as general cost of living increases, many households are finding it difficult to balance the family budget. This makes it very tempting to refinance the home loan and possibly consolidate other, usually unsecured, debt into one loan with one monthly payment. For some, this can be a good strategy but there are some very important things to consider before launching into it. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Budgeting, Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, debt consolidation, home loan, mortgage, refinance

June 6, 2010 • 12:30 am 0

The True Dilemma of First Home Ownership

The width of the chasm between younger renters and first home ownership – and its impact on the housing market overall – has been clearly exposed in latest analysis by Bernie Lewis Home Loans. Despite their best efforts to save for a home of their own, many young people are caught in a four-way trap of escalating rental costs, a continuing rise in housing prices, a first home owner’s grant that has not kept pace with market trends, and State Government duties. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Finance Tips, Home Loans & Mortgages, adelaide, home ownership, housing, south australia, stamp duty

June 6, 2010 • 12:02 am 0

The European Debt Bomb

Here is a graphical representation of the mees that is the European Economy at the moment. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Finance Tips, Global Economy, Home Loans & Mortgages, credit, debt crisis, Europe, finance, greece, home loan, ireland, mortgage broker, portugal, spain

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