Lending indicators May 2024

Our team have been busy with many loan enquiries and managing pre-approvals and settlements this month, at AAP Finance Brokers on the Central Coast.

Over the past four weeks CoreLogic tracked 38,258 freshly advertised properties nationwide, almost 18% more than at the same time last year, and 7.7% above the previous five-year average*.

It’s not just vendor activity that has increased…

Most regions are showing enough buyer demand to absorb the higher-than-average flow of listings coming to market.

Despite the higher-than-average trend in new listings nationally, the total number of homes advertised for sale is holding relatively flat, tracking -3.0% lower than a year ago and almost -19% below the previous five-year average*.

The above average level of vendor activity may be tied to the previous dearth of listings as vendors sat on their hands during the early phase of the rate hiking cycle. Or, more home owners could be motivated to sell due to rising levels of financial pressure amid high interest rates and cost of living pressures. Or, some home owners may simply be looking to de-risk their balance sheets by cashing out of the market following a period of significant growth in values. It’s likely a combination of all of these.” said Tim Lawless, Core Logic.

*reference:
https://www.corelogic.com.au/news-research/news/2024/vendor-and-buyer-activity-high,-except-in-victoria-and-tasmania

“Increased buyer activity for residential property could possibly be due to the First Home Buyer Scheme which is available up to 30 June 2024.” Said Tony Haworth, AAP Finance Brokers.

Business owners, the end of FY is fast approaching!

Hopefully you’re finalising your 30 June 2024 accounts. Now is a good time to consider possible purchases such as asset finance, prior to 30 June 2024.

On 14 May 2024, as part of the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the government announced it will continue to improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs for small businesses by extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off, by a further 12 months until 30 June 2025 (for businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million).

SMSF investments are proving popular to get around buying property outside the fund. An SMSF loan can help grow your retirement wealth position and is desirable when you’ve run out of borrowing capacity in your own name.

With plenty of stock in the market, there is ample choice for an investment property but with buyer activity also up – it may pay to have all your finance pre-approvals in order so you can act on an opportunity as soon as it presents itself.