Your spending footprint, there is nowhere to hide it anymore…
This time last year the big news in the finance world was the introduction of tighter lending criteria by APRA (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) designed to curb what the regulator saw as ‘heightened risk’ in investor lending. The result has been a considerably slower investment property market.
Now, in 2018, the focus of the regulator is the accuracy and verification of borrower income and spending information in support of loan applications.
Why are they doing this?
APRA plays a key role in protecting the financial well-being of the Australia community. Their focus on lenders’ assessment of borrower living expenses and total debt is aimed at ensuring a more realistic assessment of borrower’s genuine capacity to repay their home loan.
Why is this important?
We may be currently enjoying the lowest interest rates on record, however what does down must eventually go up. If you are a property owner and your financial situation isn’t quite as healthy as your lender might think, you could find yourself struggling if and when interest rates eventually begin to rise. And nobody wants to be heading into mortgage stress further down the track!
What is you’re applying for a loan? Could it affect you?
Whether you are a potential first home buyer or a current property owner looking to invest further, chances are you may be subject to this increased level of scrutiny if you apply for a new loan.
The answer? Make sure you can substantiate your stated income, expenses and any other loans or debt. Ask us how!
Big brother is watching…
Many lenders have greater visibility over your spending. Have you noticed your transactions are grouped into categories such as groceries, utilities, cash out, retail spending etc on your online statement? It is also important that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to managing your finances.
So…How can we help?
There can be a variety of reasons a lender may reject a loan application. This is where our expertise comes to the fore – we help you navigate a sometimes complex process and ensure you are ‘loan application ready’.
It is our job to keep up with the regulatory changes, interest rates and loan products to help you find the most suitable home loan for your individual circumstances. An accurate assessment of your situation and home loan readiness will help you move forward with confidence.
Contact us today for more information!
