Johns Smart Finance

The truth about your Credit File.

When the National Consumer Credit Protection Act came into effect in 2010, it was designed to help regulate lenders and prevent consumers from getting out their of depth with debt.

One of the spin-offs has been increased scrutiny on would-be borrowers.

Lenders now look to an individual's credit file to help determine if they are a good or bad risk.

Yes, that's right - a credit file. It sounds very FBI and, in some ways, it is. Your credit file includes your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, driver's licence number, gender, addresses and employer information.

It also records any credit applications you have made in the past five years, such as home loans or store financing of household goods, plus any bills you have defaulted on and any financial matters on public record, including any bankruptcies or directorships.

Home lenders will look at your credit file to verify your reliability. Being aware of what's on your file and how you can keep it clean, will go a long way to helping you secure a home loan.

Previous credit applications

A previously declined credit application can leave an unwanted stain on your credit file. If you are declined a credit card or a loan, find out why and take steps to rectify the situation before applying for new loans or credit.

While your positive actions may not erase the blemish, you can at least demonstrate responsibility with the new lender, which may convince them to give extra weight to other criteria, such as income and a strong employment record.

Payment defaults

Don't think that unpaid phone bill from your previous rental matters much? Think again. A payment default is an account of $100 or more that is 60 days or more overdue.

Payment defaults can only be included on your credit file if the credit provider has tried to recover some or all of the overdue amount. This means they must have sent a notice in writing to your last known address and requested payment.

Payment defaults stay on your credit file for five years, even after you pay the overdue amount.

If you don't pay a bill but can't be contacted, you may be declared a clearout. Before you can be listed as a clearout, the credit provider must make reasonable efforts to contact you, either in person (including over the phone) or in writing to your last known address.

If you can't be contacted, the credit provider can immediately list the debt on your file as overdue, even if it hasn't been overdue for 60 days or more. Clearouts remain on file for seven years from the date they are listed, even when you have paid the overdue amount.

Avoid unpaid bills blighting your credit file by:

- Paying on time or at least when overdue notices are sent.
- Providing a change of address to all creditors/billers if you move.
- Leaving someone to manage your bills if you need to be away for a month or more.

Hardships

They say it's often better to seek forgiveness than permission, but most lenders are happy to discuss what can be done to help if you hit hard times. Far better to fess up to a creditor or lender if you can't make one or two payments than have them whack a black mark on your credit file due to lack of contact.

Talk to your Mortgage Broker

Borrowing via a Mortgage Broker is one of the best ways to navigate the credit crunch. A broker will have a good understanding of what financial attributes various lenders are looking for in their borrowers.

For example, a lender may give kudos to long service in a job and a solid savings record, which may help offset an unpaid bill from three years ago that appears on your credit file.

Your broker can also advocate and negotiate on your behalf. Just remember, it pays to be honest. If you have a mark against you, be up front so your broker can consider the best lender and loan for your situation.

Know your rights as a borrower.

As a borrower, it pays to know your rights - and don't be afraid to exercise them!

It can all seem a little intimidating when you apply for a loan, and it seems like the lender is putting a lot of conditions on you as the borrower. But what are your rights? Borrowers are heavily protected by state and federal law, and you can expect your lender to keep up their end of the bargain too. You have:

The right to know what you're in for

The lender must provide you with a very detailed contract which outlines all of the terms and conditions of your loan in clear language. You should take the time to understand all of your obligations, fees and charges and make sure the loan amount details are all correct.

The right to know your interest rate

Your lender is required to communicate interest rate changes to you in advance - either directly, or by putting an advertisement in a major newspaper.

The right to know your repayment amount

The lender must provide you with written notice at least 20 days before your interest rate is due to increase.

The right to a copy of your loan statement

A loan statement must be provided to you every six months. You have the right to dispute any transactions that you don't feel are correct or justified.

The right to pay out your loan at any time

There may be some fees involved, but you do have the right to pay your loan out at any time. Accordingly, you also have the right to know your payout figure, which your lender must provide to you within 7 days of receiving a written request.

The right to terminate your contract before the funds are drawn down

You have the right to pull out of the transaction if the funds have not yet been drawn down for settlement to take place.

The right to get assistance in times of financial hardship

There is legislation in place to protect you if you experience financially tough times. It's worth investigating the relevant options so that you are ready for the unexpected.

But, you would remember from childhood that more rights usually equals greater responsibilities. There are a few obligations that you must keep to your lender as well:

Provide truthful, factual information when you apply.
- Make all of the repayments on the due date.
- Keep the property in good condition and don't make any big alterations without getting permission from your lender.
- Take out insurance for the full replacement value of the buildings/structures and keep the insurance policy paid and current.
- Don't sell, rent, or mortgage the property without your lender's permission.

Why not consider a whole new range of tenants for your investment property?

Pets have been long maligned by landlords for their potential to make a mess and cause damage.

But with pet ownership in Australia ranking the highest in the world, property investors who turn their backs on our furry friends could be missing out on tenants and dollars.

Before they dismiss dogs and cats, landlords should consider that 60 per cent of Australians have pets and one third of households rent. Saying "no" to Fido and his feline foes means narrowing the rental funnel. At a time when national vacancy rates are climbing, this could be a costly choice.

Many landlords are now welcoming pets and reaping rewards. Here are some tips to help you embrace a pro-pet policy.

Pets don't rent - their owners do.

Opening the door to pets immediately makes your property more attractive to a wider range of tenants. The key is to consider whether the pets, particularly dogs, are well managed and trained.

This can be hard to assess, unless you happen to know your renters, so a little extra leg work is required.

Arrange to meet the applicant with their pet so you can see the animal for yourself and how it behaves. Reference checks are also crucial and, if you are especially diligent, a chat with the applicant's previous neighbours should give you extra insight into their pet management.

Some renters are even developing resumes for their pets, with photos, references and medical history.

Keep in mind that while you are not allowed to discriminate against rental applicants on the basis of race, gender, marital status etc, applicants cannot claim discrimination if you reject a particular pet.

Higher yields, longer stays

So prevalent are anti-pet policies that a researcher at the University of Western Sydney is now investigating the social impacts of these restrictions on renters and the broader community.

Because it can be so hard for tenants with pets to get a paw in the door, they are often prepared to pay a premium to secure a property.

While this does not mean charging more because someone rocks up with a pet, it gives landlords the opportunity to pitch their properties to pet owners and structure their rents accordingly.

For the same reason, pet-lovers are also likely to stay longer, which means lower turn-over and lower rental costs for landlords. Although data is scant, one 2003 survey in the United States showed renters with pets stayed an average of 46 months, compared to just 18 months for those without.

Have a pet agreement

Make sure your rental agreement includes a pet policy that stipulates the pet owner is responsible for:

Any property damage caused by the pet (inside and out).
Injuries caused to the pet on the property.
The pet's behaviour (including barking).
Regularly cleaning up after the pet.

Strata permission

If you own a strata property, such as an apartment, you will also probably have to convince the body corporate to permit pets.

If you are on the body corporate you may have more sway in arguing your case. Some body corporates are loosening up, realising many buyers often have pets. Once owner-occupiers pave the way, it's easier for renters with pets to get the nod.

Face the future with greater certainty with a fixed rate home loan.

One in five Australians taking out a home loan is now opting to fix their interest rate, according to a recent AFG Mortgage Index.

Not only are fixed rates proving popular in the midst of global economic uncertainty, many borrowers are cashing in on unprecedented, increased competition around fixed rate loans.

Traditionally, lenders have set fixed rates a smidge above the average variable rate. At the moment, however, many institutions are offering fixed rates below others' variable rates, prompting savvy borrowers to shop around.

The main benefit of a fixed rate is certainty. Regardless of shifts in the economic sands, your mortgage repayments stay the same, allowing you to budget with more confidence. If official interest rates rise, your mortgage repayments are unaffected. On the flip side, of course, if interest rates drop, you won't benefit.

With experts wavering on whether local interest rates will go up, down or nowhere over the next 12 months, now could be an opportune time to take advantage of special offers around fixed rates.

Some lenders, for example, are offering fixed rates at 0.8 per cent lower than the standard variable rate of other institutions. On a $300,000 loan, that equates to a $200 saving in interest each month.

Fixed rates are generally based on what the economy may do over the next three to four years, while variable rates are more aligned to the current cash rate, set by the Reserve Bank of Australia. At the moment, this is overlaid with the fact lenders are looking to drive movement in the market through competition.

Although Australia's economy is deemed very stable against the backdrop of the European debt crises and slow economic recovery in the United States, home owners have been happy to sit on the sidelines to see how it all plays out before making any decisions about buying and selling.

As a result, many financial institutions have been trying to entice us back in the game with competitive fixed rates.

As with all borrowing situations, your decisions should be based on your circumstances and financial goals. However, there are some basic pros and cons that apply to fixed rates that you should consider.

The biggest benefit of a fixed rate, is knowing exactly what your repayments will be for a set period - usually one to five years. This can be a real advantage if you are considering a career change, starting or expanding a family or have kids moving into private education, because it can ease the stress of budgeting.

On the downside, fixed rate loans tend to be more restrictive than variable ones. You usually can't make additional payments, plus lenders generally charge high break fees if you want to exit the loan during the fixed period.

If you want to tap into the benefits of both a fixed and a variable rate, consider splitting your loan so a portion of your debt is exposed to shifts in official rates - up or down - and the rest is locked into a set rate.

With official interest rates sitting at affordable levels and question marks hanging over which way they will head over the next 12 months, it's worth chatting with your local Mortgage Broker about fixed rates and what the market has to offer. It may be just the move to help you face the future with some certainty.

How to save money and get rid of your mortgage sooner:

Do you like to dream about a time when your mortgage will be a distant memory? It could be sooner than you think. Provided you're willing to put in the hard yards, there are a few simple ways to save money and pay off your loan ahead of time.

- Create a really good budget

There are budgeting tools available that can help you to plan your household expenses and look for ways to save more. The most important thing is to remember all of your expenses. If you forget about your car registration because it only comes in once a year, your budget might be thrown into disarray.

When you first put together your budget, try using bank statements or online banking records, as well as any paper receipts in order to account for every household expense.

Don't forget to leave some room in the budget in case you need something unexpected - like medicine, a new work outfit, or maybe an anniversary present for your partner. (Although, if this one is unexpected you should give yourself a slap on the hand!)

- Consider an offset account for your savings

If you're trying to save as much as possible and get your mortgage down sooner, you can't go past an offset account. The idea here is that you can deposit your money into the account, it's linked with your mortgage but you can access it whenever you want.

When your lender calculates the interest on your loan, they will only charge you for what you owe minus your savings. This can save you a lot of money over the life of your loan and allow you to pay it off sooner.

- Manage your expenses on a credit card - but be very careful.

If you're fantastic with money, and I mean, really really responsible, it can be helpful to manage your household expenses on a credit card. By leaving your money in savings for longer, you could be earning interest, and with an offset account you could be saving interest on your loan.

This theory only works if you pay your credit card off in full at the end of each month.

The danger here is obvious, but if you have a lot of self-control it can be very helpful in managing your budget to run everything through a credit card. If you have a credit card with a good rewards program, you could even start to rack up quite a points balance.

- Align your mortgage repayments with your salary.

If you get paid fortnightly, it can make life a lot easier if you set up fortnightly repayments on your loan. This will help you to create a budget that makes sense to you - and is easier to stick to.

But try to give yourself a day or two between salary and mortgage payments, in case something goes wrong from your employer's end.

Make the most of interest rate reductions by saving the extra money in an offset account, or making voluntary repayments against your loan.

It's tempting to spend that extra money on fun stuff, but if you don't mind being a bit boring then you will reap the rewards in the long term, and get your loan paid off sooner than planned.

Did you hear about this great win for home buyers?

Australian home owners scored a win on July 1 2011 when lenders were banned from charging exit fees on home loans, making it more enticing for borrowers to shop around for a better deal.

Exit fees were generally charged for the first four or five years of a mortgage to discourage borrowers from switching to a competitor before the lender had made a profit on the loan. Unable to now charge exit fees on variable loans, many lenders are making sure they cover their costs upfront with higher set-up fees.

If you are thinking of switching, you should make sure you get all the facts and compare like with like so what you gain in the short term isn't lost in the long run. Take into account loan establishment fees, ongoing account fees, the cost of any property valuations required by your new lender and settlement fees when doing your sums on how much you will be saving by switching.

Exit fees also shouldn't be confused with break fees on fixed rate loans. Lenders can and do still charge a fairly hefty fee if you exit a loan during a fixed term.

Break fees on fixed rate loans are usually based on: the interest rate you locked in, compared to the current market interest rate; the length of time remaining on your fixed-rate term; and your original loan amount. They can run into thousands of dollars, and remain a formidable deterrent to fixed rate customers thinking of a switch.

One of the best ways to get a helicopter view of what it will cost you to switch and what you stand to gain is to talk to your local Mortgage Broker. That way you can be sure if you close the door on your current loan, you are stepping forward financially.

Speak to me about finance for your greener home.

Your Perfect Match - How to find a loan that keeps you warm at night.

Do you find that you're usually attracted to the same type of person? We all have a mental image of our perfect mate - some people are even lucky enough to wake up next to that person each day.

Just as the dating market can be tricky to navigate, it's easy to miss the signs and find yourself attracted to the wrong home loan.

To help you find a loan that loves you unconditionally, here is a quick run-down of the different types available.

Basic Loan

The basic home loan usually doesn't have a lot of fees. What you see is what you get. Usually you get a low interest rate, but you don't get much else. If you want some features, and flexibility this might not be the match made in heaven.

Introductory Rate loan

Otherwise known as a 'Honeymoon loan' this one is a bit like some new relationships. You get a really good deal at the beginning, and everyone is happy. After a year or two the honeymoon is over, and you find out what the loan will really cost you.

A good option if you want to keep your repayments down in the beginning - but make sure you investigate the interest rate that you will be charged after the introductory period.

Standard Variable rate loan

For those who want to be able to pick and choose their features, the standard variable rate loan could be your perfect mate. You generally get a low interest rate, but the flexibility to select some options that suit your needs.

Low-doc Loan

A low-doc loan is a good alternative for Self-Employed borrowers who are often unlucky in love when it comes to finding their ideal mortgage.

Low-doc loans allow you to use different methods of proving your income. The rules are usually a little less restrictive - but you will pay a much higher rate.

On top of this - most lenders require self-employed borrowers to contribute a 20% deposit, and cover all upfront costs such as Stamp Duty and Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This is a good option for people who don't have any other options.

100% home loan

Also known as a 'No-deposit' loan, this one allows you to borrow 100% of the purchase price. Don't be fooled though - this is not a free ride.

Most lender still require you to save a 3% deposit to cover the LMI, and you'll also need to make sure that you have enough left over to cover stamp duty, moving costs and conveyancing - and any other associated costs.

Sometimes these loans are available, sometimes they are not, it depends on the current lending environment - but it never hurts to ask.

Use the cold to get it sold!

With many property buyers in hibernation over winter, if you are thinking of selling, the cold weather is your sign that it is a great time to spruce up your property, ready for the spring selling season.

Here are my top tips to prepare:

Make an entrance: First impressions count, so take stock of your front entrance. If your front door is looking tired, replace, repaint or restain it. Similarly, your driveway should be clean and free of cracks. Old concrete driveways can be revived with a resurface and a respray in a new colour or a stencilled pattern.

Make sure your letterbox fits with your home exterior and makes the right statement, either built into a fence or standing on its own.

Get into the garden: Time well spent in the garden over winter will pay off in spades come spring. Take advantage of the cooler weather to clear debris, weeds and overgrown trees and shrubs. It's also the perfect time to completely overhaul garden beds with new soil and mulch. Draw a rough plan and clip pictures from magazines to create a clear picture of your garden. Take your plan to your local nursery and get expert advice on which plants should go where and how many you actually need. Just make sure the end result is easy to maintain for maximum appeal.

Consider some colour for a warm welcome. The colour yellow has been proven to help sell, so plant or pot marigolds along a walkway or near your front door.

Leave fertilising your lawn until late winter so it's in tip-top condition when your house hits the market in spring.

Clear out clutter: Make your rooms look larger by putting less in them. Consider replacing multiple pieces of small furniture with one large statement piece. You could also try re-arranging your furniture differently to create the illusion of space.

Brighten your outlook: Clean all your windows inside and out. You will be surprised how much fresher your house looks with sparkling, spotless windows. Make sure you take down and hose all the fly screens while you're at it!

Deck the deck: Consider adding a deck to create outdoor entertainment space and value. If you already have one, winter is the perfect time to re-oil the surface and railings and replace any worn outdoor furniture.

Spotless surfaces: Wash walls, ceilings, light fittings and ceiling fans to rid them of dust and grime.

Lighten up: Twilight photo shoots and evening open houses are hot selling tools, especially when the weather warms and the days grow longer. Take time over winter to install outdoor lighting that spotlights your front garden and entrance and any outdoor entertaining areas, including the pool.

Detach: It may sound like a strange selling strategy, but consider de-personalising your home. While you still want potential buyers to feel "at home" when they inspect, they don't necessarily want to see all your family photos on the sideboard and children's artwork on the fridge. Apart from uncluttering your surfaces and creating clean lines, packing up the family portraits allows buyers to envision their family living there, not yours.

It's also an opportunity to step back and genuinely appraise your decor and colour scheme. Is your home styled for broad appeal or just for people who share your penchant for peach?

If you find it hard to be impartial, one hour and a couple of hundred dollars spent with a design or colour consultant may be a wise spend. A good consultant will know what trends have market appeal and can share some clever tips on quick fixes and colour schemes. How much of the advice you take is up to you, and you usually have the option to just pay for the consultant's time and DIY the restyle.

Get energy efficient: With electricity costs on the rise, buyers are on the hunt for energy-efficient homes. Switch to energy-saving light globes and consider a solar-boosted hot water system. While you may not be living there long enough to fully benefit from the savings, buyers are likely to be enticed by the promise of smaller electricity bills.

Freshen up the kitchen and bathroom: You don't need to completely overhaul tired kitchens and bathrooms for a fresh look. If your fixed appliances - oven, cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher - are older than 10 years, considering upgrading to new ones. Shop around for a package deal on reputable brands.

Add some shine to the bathroom with new basin taps and create a sense of space with a large frameless mirror above the vanity. Upgrade your shower fitting if needed, especially if it has poor pressure. Plenty of buyers will test the shower head during an inspection.