Stuart Barker & Associates Finance Brokers

Anyone who has recently applied for a Home Loan or may be considering doing so would no doubt be very confused about which loan to take or which organisation to deal with.

It is difficult to make an informed decision on which facility is right for you without detailed knowledge of the industry and how it works.

This is where a specialised intermediary such as Stuart Barker & Associates can help.

There is far more to consider than simply the Interest Rate and we take pride in carefully analysing your individual financial position and future needs when assessing which facility is right for you.

WHICH HOME LOAN?

As mentioned, obtaining a home loan is not quite as straightforward as it used to be and to obtain the right home loan is not easy, as some organisations would have you believe.

Every organisation has a duty to sell its own products and sometimes it is difficult to get an unbiased opinion as to what is right for you as your needs are often overlooked.

We have no loyalty to any particular organisation and have arrangements with a wide range of Lenders which allows us to find your loan based on your needs, both now and in the future.

WHICH INVESTMENT LOAN?

When thinking of an investment loan there is even more to consider than with a simple home loan.
Aspects such as

Interest Only as opposed to Principal and Interest,
am I structured right to do this,
how much could I afford to spend,
should I fix the loan, split it or stay on the variable rate,
what costs are involved etc. etc.

There is also the aspect of tax and through our association with professional accountancy firms we can assure you receive the right tax advice when considering your options.
Stuart Barker and Associates are also able to direct you to solicitors who specialise in conveyancing and can carefully advise you of legalities and contractual obligations of your proposed investment property purchase. Insurance is often overlooked and to minimise your risk we can direct you to various professional insurance advisors who specialise in risk management.
Ongoing management of your investment is also very important and our association with an award winning Property Manager will ensure your protection in this area.

MORTGAGE REDUCTION?

This is an area that is becoming more and more popular with home loan borrowers as they are able to use their income more effectively to rapidly reduce debt through a Line of Credit facility.
This can be applied to both home loans and investment loans but beware, there may be certain tax implications in using mortgage reduction in relation to a investment loan and these are discussed in detail with you. Also beware of unrealistic debt reduction plans, as a plan should be carefully tailored to your detailed personal spending habits. Remember also that what you get out of a plan is only as accurate as the information that is put in.

WHY STUART BARKER & ASSOCIATES?

As with any financial decision it is important to know who you are dealing with ie their credentials and experience, when seeking advice.
Stuart Barker and Associates is a member of

the Finance Brokers Association of Australia
the Mortgage Industry Association of Australia

and willingly subscribes to the Code of Ethics of both associations.
We are also members of

PLAN Australia an organisation of Professional Lenders. Accordingly you can be assured of honesty and integrity in all dealings.

The Principal, Stuart Barker, is an

associate member of the Institute of Financial Services and has over 26 years banking and finance experience with extensive knowledge of the Home and Investment lending market.

These associations and background ensure that you can deal with us with confidence. Our affiliations with other professionals, necessary in protecting you in a home or investment property purchase, also ensures that all aspects are covered for you.
Should a fee be applicable in arranging your particular financial needs this will be fully disclosed to you at the initial interview and is payable only on a successful application. Your initial interview is of course obligation and fee free.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of home loans, investment loans or mortgage reduction please feel free to contact us.

Landlords need a Property Manager

When you buy an investment property you owe it to yourself to make sure your investment generates as much money as possible for you. The deciding factor in how much money any property will earn is how well it is managed. Many people fall into the trap of assuming they can find their own tenants and collect their own rent. The reality of the situation is that property management involves far more than just rent collection. Effective property management requires specialised knowledge and skills that are difficult to master without extensive training and experience. It also involves a great deal of time and effort which most property investors do not have at their disposal. The first part of a professional Property Manager’s task is to inspect your property, discuss your requirements, advertise the availability of the property and rent it out on terms and conditions which suit you.

Much further

But their job goes much further than that. A qualified Property Manager will be right up to date with all the landlord and tenant legislation which is so vital to you as a property owner. A Property Manager will also be in constant contact with the market so when it comes to making sure your property is always rented or deciding what rent to charge tenants, their expertise will prove invaluable. When you reach an agreement with Property Managers they become responsible for taking care, of the tricky aspects of renting out a property – such as selecting prospective tenants and checking out references.
When your Property Manager has found a tenant who will really look after your property, he or she will ask the tenants to sign a general Tenancy Agreement. The agent will collect the bond on your property and lodge it with the Residential Tenancies Authority.

Not responsible

A Property Manager can make every endeavour to have rent paid on time but cannot be responsible for non payment of rent by a tenant. Even the day-to-day runnings of the property – maintenance, writing up inventories and paying rates – can be looked after by an agent. Another important part of managing a property is carrying out regular inspections to make sure that the property is being cared for properly by the tenant. In addition to all this, your agent will maintain full records on the property and account each month for all rent paid as well as any money spent. A Property Manager will also look after the financial side of things. Rent levels will be reviewed regularly and quotes will be carefully compared for any repairs hat have to be made to the property. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland sets out a scale of charges for property management. Your Property Manager will discuss these with you so you know exactly what this professional service will cost.

Remember, property management fees are tax deductible.

Property versus Shares– quips and quotes

“Remember the equity in your home is your savings and any Investment Advisor will tell you that you must invest your savings to provide for your future. The only issue is which investment, ‘property or shares’. There is no other way to utilise your savings effectively”.
“Cash devalues because the cost of goods increases or the purchasing power decreases thereby diminishing the value of cash, either way it works”.
“Buy a new property in a new area to minimise cost and maximise return”.
“Now is the time to choose how you will live in your retirement. At 65 years of age there is no choice”.
“To ascertain how comfortable an investment in shares is, try standing under a Share Certificate in the pouring rain and see how long you stay warm & dry”.
“NOTE! The Stock exchange needs a building. On the other hand a building does not need the stock exchange.
Stock Market Correction – A correction is defined as “the act of making right that which is wrong”.
“When investing in Shares you gamble that the Directors, Management and employees will always continue to manage honestly and efficiently, onitor markets, meet changes etc to provide you with a profit. When you invest in roperty you gamble that the human race will always need somewhere to live”.
“How safe would the third little pig have been if he’d built his house out of Share Certificates”.
“The Stock Exchange is a great place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there”.

MIAA Mortgage Consultants

An MIAA member mortgage consultant is a qualified professional who works with clients from pre-purchase mortgage application to completion, settlement and beyond. These mortgage experts help buyers navigate the complexities of obtaining a mortgage or refinancing a home or investment property.

Members must adhere to a Code of Practice requiring high professional standards, fair business practices, ethical behaviour and compliance with the spirit and the letter of the relevant laws and regulations. MIAA members are required to be informed and aware of industry changes and undergo ongoing training through recognised industry programs.

FBAA - Setting Standards

Finance Brokers Association of Australia.

FBAA membership is not compulsory – it is the choice of professionals who take pride in setting standards for industry practices. Members explain products clearly and invite clients to discuss long term goals as well as their current financial position. Stuart Barker says clients who are shown the complete picture make better decisions. “It is in their interest to explore the differences between various products,” he says.