Blog - Page 2 of 7 - Ask Alan Heath - Mortgage Broker (Brisbane)

Magnifying glass looking at the word low rates AskAlan

Further Rate Reductions on the Way

August 20, 2020

As I suggested back in June, rate reductions are starting to flow through to new borrower deals.

This is good news for my own existing clients because I review;

Every loan
Every Client
Every 6 months
And where a reduction is possible seek that on your behalf

You will start to see these reductions flowing through to your loan in your next review.

As you know, I seek written agreements with any bank that wants my new business. Namely that they agree to price my existing business in keeping with new offers whenever I make a request.

Where are rates headed? red green arrow cube half flipped next to percentage sign cube

So Where Are Rates Headed?

June 9, 2020

This morning as I was sitting down to write on the (immediate and medium) future of interest rates, knowing that they are poised to head down again – two clients of long standing emailed me.

One wrote to me – tongue in cheek;

“I know (how much) you “adore” fixed interest rates, not, but now, locking part or all of a home loan in at these ever so low interest rates needs to be considered?

I still remember the painful 14% home loan interest rates.

Looking forward to your opinion in regard to this matter.”

Surely with rates now under 3%, surely with banks offering fixed rates in the mid 2%’s – SURELY it must now be time to fix … Surely!!

The best time to fix is still never.

Piggy Bank wearing mask, gloved hands surrounding, Ask Alan

10 Financial Tips to survive Covid-19

April 28, 2020

Consolidate your finances. We often keep lots of accounts, with small amounts of money in them – if you have repayments for loans, and are concerned that you may be short of funds, round up those small accounts and put them all into the account that repayments are debited from.

It’s Raining

March 31, 2020

If you’ve saved for a rainy day… It’s raining.

These are the guidelines you should follow for your home loan or your investment loan – if you find yourself in difficulty.

Depending on the level of difficulty you face, these are the steps you should follow… in order;

Ask Alan Mortgage Brokers here to guide you through uncertainty

COVID-19 Response… Alan Says…

March 23, 2020

Over the last week I have had several clients ask me what I both think and suggest in the current circumstances.

I have been quiet since my email of 6^th Feb when I highlighted what the Corona Virus outbreak might mean for the year ahead.

There are too many opinions being espoused on social media – and while that is understandable it is not helpful.

In these times when we need whatever certainty we can, there is only one set of “facts” in my opinion.

Our Prime Minister and the Chief Health Officer are meeting twice weekly with every State Premier and their Health Officers. This National Cabinet makes decisions for the country and the Prime Minister speaks as a result.

Economic flu or just a cold?

February 6, 2020

Economically they used to say, “when America catches a cold the world catches the flu”.

At the moment because of the literal corona virus in China, the world is at risk of catching the economic flu.

Aside from the presidential election and the post Brexit trade negotiations (both of which are the long game for 2020 -being Nov and Dec respectively), the length of time that the world takes to adjust to the economic impact of the corona virus will be the story of significance in 2020.

Who’s been Naughty and Who’s been Nice…

December 17, 2019

Dear Santa,

I’ve been good all year,

Most of the time,

Once in a while,

Never mind,

I’ll buy my own stuff…

All banks offer spectacular deals to new people.

Then under the cloak of darkness (called “out of cycle” rate rises) – they claw margin back.

11 factors to consider when looking for your best home loan

August 13, 2019

Before we start, the best tip I can give you is… DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF… It took me years to work out that when friends looked at my home renovations and said, “nice tiling … do it yourself?” it was not a compliment. They were being polite. The fact that they could tell I had done it myself said it all.

I was about to start on this article when a thought appeared – why tell my clients (some of whom have been with me for 10-20 years) what they should look for? When instead I could ask them, what was most important to them, so I did.

Catch Your Breath – What is Happening.

August 8, 2019

The scene is now set for the rest of 2019.

I give credit to the Reserve Bank and the Government for pre-empting.

The Reserve Bank cut rates by 0.5% (0.4% of which was passed through) and the Government passed tax cuts through to everyone.

What was the background? The two big ticket items – Brexit and the US China Trade War.

Tell me about the future..

June 6, 2019

Anyone can read in the media that The Reserve Bank cut the cash rate yesterday.

I always endeavour to let you know what this means – so that you can plan ahead.

In July 2016 – almost 10 years after the GFC, interest rates had been low for a decade, there was a growing sentiment that they would inevitably rise – which always makes people worry.

I like to take notice of the people who have the RED (rates) button on their desk so back in 2016 I read an article from Janet Yelland (the outgoing chair of the US Federal Reserve) who had just told Congress that rates would stay low for ANOTHER decade – yes until 2025.

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Level 27, 480 Queen Street

(07) 3106 1444