You Need to Look Behind The Economic Data

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A NUMBER of journalists and economic pundits seem to have been focussing solely upon the latest GDP figures.

However, the recent NAB monthly business survey appears to contradict concerns about the shaky household consumption sector – where the main concerns seem to relate to past issues.

Mainly things like … the end of the mining boom, resulting in a collapse of wage growth. [Read more…]

How Will Trump’s Win Affect Commercial Property?

Trump and Commercial Property

WHILE THE WORLD may be stunned by Donald Trump’s win, you’ll most likely find things will not be nearly as bad as everyone thinks.

And that’s reflected in the huge rebound in the stock market — once investors began studying his policies in more depth.

How did Trump achieve the Win?

In many respects, the media is responsible for the outcome — because so much airplay was given to his outlandish rhetoric. [Read more…]

APRA Cracking Down on Commercial Property Investment Loans

Recent Changes to the Lending Environment

To Fix or Not to Fix Your Commercial Loan Rate?

Fixing-your-rate

WITH BOTH SHORT AND LONGER term fixed rates currently at historical lows, discussions around fixing rates for commercial loans has increased markedly.

This article will focus on the major factors that should be taken into account when considering whether or not to fix a loan against a commercial investment property. [Read more…]

Do You Fully Understand Commercial Property Valuations?

property_valuation

WHEN PURCHASING A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, the valuation is a key element in the financing process and in providing the buyer with comfort in their purchase price.

For the wise investor, it is important to have some understanding of how valuations are conducted.

Doing so will establish confidence that the valuation will not pose an issue with finance and also act as a basic tool, to verify a purchase price or estimate asset value for existing properties. [Read more…]

How to Borrow to Buy a Property Within Your Personal Super Fund

AS YOU PROBABLY realise, this is not quite as simple as it may seem. And yet, all you need to do is follow some clearly defined procedures. [Read more…]

Will Lower Oil Prices Mean Improved Economic Growth?

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Oil-decline

THE ANSWER is both Yes and No … depending upon which country you live in.

Oil-GDPLast weekend’s Financial Review reported an analysis by Oxford Economics, which predicted the likely effect upon GDP during 2015-16 … of oil being at $US40 Vs. $US84 per barrel.

And a quick summary of that is included over on the right. [Read more…]

Commercial Property: State of The Nation

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Office-Buildings

OFFICE VACANCY RATES have lept towards 15% in Brisbane, Darwin, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. And this takes the national average to 12.4%, as an overall vacancy level.

However, businesses are now leasing space once again in both Sydney and Melbourne — where their vacancy rates are currently hovering around 10%, according to Jones Lang LaSalle. [Read more…]

How Does The Aussie Dollar Affect Commercial Property?

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Aussie-Dollar

In simple terms, the answer is … both indirectly and indirectly.

The RBA’s Dilemma

General consensus is that our dollar should ideally be trading at around US85 cents. And that would provide a balance between encouraging non-resource export businesses, while not adding unwanted inflationary pressure.

The RBA could achieve this simply by lowering the official interest rate. However, that would then fuel even more local borrowing — especially within the residential property market. [Read more…]

Super SUPER — Lending to Your Personal Super Fund

Lend-to-Super

ARE YOU THINKING about borrowing to buy property or other assets via a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF)?

If so, you may be wondering whether you need a bank to lend directly to your SMSF; or if there is a simpler and cheaper way to borrow? [Read more…]