Determine Your Borrowing Capacity For Property Investment
The first step in successful property investment is understanding your financial position and borrowing capacity
Investors need to have a clear understanding of what their goals are before investing in the property market if they are to maximise their chances of success. This will include determining if the goal is capital gains or generating cash flow if it is a long-term or short-term strategy, and what kind of financing is required. One of the biggest attractions of investing in property is the ability to borrow a high percentage of the property price to fund your purchase, so ensuring your finance is in good order will enable you to maximise your investment prospects.
Determine Your Borrowing Capacity
Even in the most affordable markets, property prices generally run into hundreds of thousands of dollars – and for that reason purchasing a property outright would be out of the question for most of us. But because the property is widely regarded as a stable investment, it is generally possible to borrow up to 80 percent of the purchase price – or in some cases more. Making any investment requires diligence but when you’re taking on debt to help maximise your returns it is fundamental that you understand your true borrowing and repayment capabilities.
So just what are your financing options when it comes to buying an investment property? The first consideration should be to engage a Finance Broker. Not only can we help you through the loan selection and the application process, but we are also perfectly positioned to help you assess how much you can – or should – borrow. One of the key reasons why a broker’s support can be so valuable is because there can be a big difference between what you can borrow and what you can actually afford in order to service a loan on an investment property.
“There can be a big difference between what you can borrow and what you can actually afford”
Financing Your Investment
When it comes to financing an investment property, it is essential that you talk to an accountant about the most tax-effective way for you to borrow. However, there are a number of things you can start thinking about prior to that. If you’re an existing homeowner you may well have a head start when it comes to entering the investment market.
If your home has appreciated in value since it was first purchased there’s a chance that you’ll be able to tap into some of that equity to put down as a deposit on an investment. Tapping into equity essentially means borrowing against the increased value of your home. This enables you to access the equity that has built up in your property over time without having to sell. But what if you’re looking to make your first foray into the market? There’s a lot to be said for making your first purchase an investment and it’s a step that many Australians take.
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome when planning an investment property as your first purchase is funding the deposit. If you’re relying on your savings to get you that first step on the property ladder the good news is that you may be able to borrow up to 95 percent of the value of a property by applying for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
LMI is a one-time premium that protects the lenders against a loss, should a borrower default on their loan. This insurance exists in the event that the security property is required to be sold as a result of a default, the net proceeds of the sale may not always cover the full balance outstanding on the loan. Should this be the case, LMI enables the lender to make an insurance claim for the reimbursement of any shortfall. The cost of LMI is dependent on the size and percentage of the loan and it is likely to be thousands rather than hundreds of dollars. The cost of LMI can sometimes be included in the amount borrowed, reducing the upfront costs for the borrower. This is called capitalising the LMI premium. First-time buyers have other options as well as LMI to consider.
It is also possible to use a guarantor to help pave the way to the first purchase. This may normally require the guarantor to provide a mortgage on their own property as security for the loan obligations that they guarantee. A guarantee may be accepted to support a loan for first-time buyers that have sufficient income to service a loan but don’t have a deposit. In some instances, the existence of a guarantor can mean that the cost of LMI is avoided, but it is essential that both the borrower and the guarantor are aware of their responsibilities before making any commitment.
Time To Get Realistic
So there are options for both existing homeowners and first-time buyers when it comes to raising a deposit for an investment property, but how should you assess your borrowing capability? As an investor, in most instances you’ll have rental income from your property to help you meet your mortgage repayments – and this may be taken into consideration when it comes to determining your borrowing capacity.
What will ultimately determine how much you should borrow is what you can afford to repay every month on your mortgage – and this is a key factor when it comes to the assessment of your financial position.
“Your budget will determine your buying power and the type of property you should be looking for”
In addition to finding out how much you qualify to borrow, think about what you would personally be happy to spend on a mortgage every month. While it is good to know what your maximum borrowing capacity is, this figure may well be higher than an amount that you’re comfortable committing to. The first place to start is to assess how much disposable income you have available each month as there may be a shortfall between the net rent generated by your investment and the amount you need to repay to your mortgage. You should then discuss your situation with us, your broker, as we are well positioned to assess your own estimates as well as outline what different lenders are prepared to offer. Based on your lifestyle and expenses, your budget, plus your overall objectives, we will be able to help you decide how much you can afford to borrow. With the right strategy, sound advice, a solid lending financial partner, and finance in place, investing in bricks and mortar can be achievable.
At KDM Lending we are professional debt advisors and accredited finance brokers, providing commercial and residential property mortgage loans, business finance, and car, and equipment lending.
Call us now on 0417 551 445 for an appointment to discuss your specific requirements.