Investopoly

Borrowing to invest, particularly in property, has been a very popular investment strategy in Australia. A mortgage is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If you use mortgages properly, in a risk adverse way, it can be a very powerful wealth accumulation tool. However, if used poorly, it has the power to destroy more wealth than it creates. After almost 18 years since establishing this firm...

Coronavirus’ impact on share markets is a hot topic at the moment. We’ve seen global markets fall by over 10% between 21 February and 2 March 2020. It seems that the market’s sentiment shifted literally overnight from a state of being arguably ‘over-optimistic’ to being ‘very fearful’. Some of my clients have voiced their concerns about the impact that coronavirus might have on their investments....

Over the last few weeks, lenders have aggressively cut fixed rates, particularly for investors that borrow on an interest only basis. Three and five year fixed rates now range between 3.18% and 3.40% p.a. This means the cost to hold an investment property is as low as it’s ever been. This doesn’t mean we all should run out and buy an investment property. The cost to hold a median property The grap...

I wrote a blog in December last year about how difficult personal risk insurance (e.g. income protection, Life and TPD) is becoming to obtain. Also, in December, the government directed Australian insurers to make some very significant changes to their products. I have been waiting to measure the insurers response to these directives. These changes will have a significant impact on your future ins...

With share markets at an all-time high and sentiment in the property market recovering, it is a great opportunity to divest of any underperforming (dud) investments. Not all investments perform as expected. Therefore, it’s important you regularly review them. This review should be completed without any influence of emotion – it’s all about the numbers. Let’s first discuss why now might be a good t...

Over the past few years I have observed a strong trend of investment-grade house prices growing stronger than apartments. It is true that all markets move in cycles and all cycles come to an end, eventually. It’s my thesis that several factors (such as the fall in the volume of new apartments, contraction of borrowing capacity and high population growth) are conspiring to create a growth cycle for...

With term deposit rates currently ranging between 1% and 2% p.a., and the prospect of further rate cuts by the RBA, many investors are contemplating where to invest their cash. Most commentators and economists agree that it looks like the interest rate environment will be lower for longer. If that turns out to be true, term deposit returns won’t even keep up with inflation. Therefore, most people...

Investing in shares can produce tax benefits. But it can also result in tax liabilities too. Terms such as “franking credits” and “imputation credits” (same thing) were frequently used during last year’s federal election (the Labor Party proposed to ban franking credit refunds). However, many people do not understand these concepts. So, this blog seeks to provide a simple overview of the possible...

An independent financial advisor does a lot more than just tell you how to invest your money. In fact, a lot of the work they do is ‘behind the scenes’ so I thought it was a good idea to share this information in a blog. This will give you a better idea of what a financial advisor does, and therefore whether you might benefit from having one. Develop a long-term strategy for you One of the predomi...

Personal insurances such as Income Protection, Life insurance and Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) are becoming impossible to get unless you are in perfect health. This change has occurred gradually over the past few years but has now reached the point that it’s become a real concern. This has a number of consequences which I discuss below. Insurers have a bad name We heard some shocking stori...

The bushfires in NSW and Queensland recently reinvigorated the conversation about global warming and whether the Australian government is doing enough to combat it. I’ll refrain from sharing my thoughts on this topic (I’m sure no one cares what I think about this anyway), but I thought it was timely to write a blog about sustainable investing. If you are concerned for the environment, this is a wa...

With the 2019 calendar year quickly drawing to a close, I thought it would be good to have a look at what next year might bring in terms of investment risks and opportunities. Over the years, I found that its best to form opinions on the economy by reading analysis/insights and attending economic briefings, whilst being careful to not overindulge. Too many opinions and viewpoints can confuse and s...

According to global bank Standard Chartered, the Chinese and Indian economies are expected to more than triple between 2017 and 2030. In fact, China’s Gross Domestic Product (a measure of a country’s economic output) is predicted to be more than double the USA. This is because the International Monetary Fund predicts that emerging economy growth rates will be nearly three times higher than develop...

Not more than 7 months ago, according to the media, investing in property was no longer a smart way to build wealth. Labor wanted to ban negative gearing, increase Capital Gains Tax (CGT), commentators were predicting that the market would crash by more than 20%, banks were tightening lending standards and so on. Since then, the world has returned back to ‘normal’ and most of these concerns have a...

Most investors and some homeowners have interest only loans. However, the option to repay interest only doesn’t last forever. Most mortgages have a term of 30 years. Typically, the first 5 years is interest only. After that term has expired, repayments automatically convert to principal plus interest. If you have an interest only loan that is approaching the maturity of its term, what are your opt...

It feels like there is more global uncertainty at the moment. Things such as a global or domestic economic recession, US/China trade war tensions, Brexit, Trump’s rhetoric, the prospect of zero (or negative) interest rates, what property prices might do here, all seem to dominate the news. You may find these matters confusing and they can create inertia. So, how do you navigate these seemingly tur...

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, first homeowner activity has increased by 51% since March 2016. First home buyers now account for just short of 20% of all new home loans. Whilst housing affordability has improved slightly recently, it is still tough for first home buyers to get onto the property ladder. However, the current low interest rate environment and the recent dip in pric...

In my experience, it is common for one spouse to have a greater interest in the family’s finances. In fact, the spouse that is ‘most interested’ typically takes fully responsibility for making the family’s financial decisions. However, there are some fundamental and important flaws with this approach which I’d like to share with you. What happens if one spouse unexpectantly passes away? If the spo...

The media loves to talk about the property market; will prices rise or fall over the next year? It’s really not that important. “Timing” the market is virtually valueless, as I concluded in this analysis last year . That said, I understand the psychology behind it. People want to buy at the bottom of the market, just before it takes off and only experience the upside. There has been a lot of comme...

Many people feel investing in the share market is a complex and scary concept. This is often due to a lack of understanding. I have written a number of blogs about the advantages of index investing. However, I thought it might be useful to take a step back and take a look at the basics of share market investing. How does the stock market work? The share market is merely a place where people come t...

Australian’s have a well-documented love affair with property. Many people pursue the “great Australian dream” of owning their own home and over 2.1 million taxpayers invest in property. Most Australian’s also invest in the share market too, via their superannuation. However, one of the decisions that many people struggle with is whether to invest in property, shares or both. And if the answer is...

You would be excused for thinking that developed economies all over the world are gradually making their way to a zero interest rate environment. Long term fixed mortgage rates in the United States are less than 3% p.a. In the UK, rates are under 2% and even lower in Europe (circa 0.50% p.a. in France for example). In Australian this week, 5-year fixed home loan rate fell below 3% p.a. And in Dema...

We all want to stay on the ATO’s good side. No one wants to invite a tax audit. But, at the same time, it is prudent to investigate all opportunities to minimise the amount of tax we pay. This often requires a balance between minimising taxes wherever possible, but not being too aggressive that you risk getting into trouble with the ATO. My view is that you always stick within the black letter of...

A buyers’ agent is a real estate professional that will help you identify and negotiate the purchase of a property according to your specifications. They typically work for property investors but can also be engaged to purchase owner-occupier homes. This blog discussed whether you should use a buyers’ agent and if they are worth the money? Don’t forget, I’m independent! I have no vested interest i...

Borrowing to invest (in property or shares) is typically a good wealth accumulation strategy as long as you do it prudently and adopt a proven methodology to select quality investments. If used wisely, debt can be a very effective tool. However, whilst your investment strategy might require you to get into debt, the strategy must also articulate how you will get out of debt (i.e. repay it). This b...