Home loans up as banks relax lending rules

At the height of the property boom in 2006, South Africa’s four major banks were approving an average of more than 30 000 new home loans every quarter.

During 2009 this number had dropped to well below 8 000 as banks tightened lending criteria considerably in response to the global financial crisis, as well as factors such as interest rate increases, high household debt ratios and the effect of the National Credit Act.

However, with sharp cuts in the repo rate over the past couple of years, the prime lending rate has dropped to below its 2006 level and, according to property analysts, all indications are that banks have been slowly relaxing their lending criteria again. The result is that the number of new home loans approved is on an upward trend again, having increased by 10 percent since 2009.

Mortgage Plus recently completed a study of the number of home loans approved per quarter and loan-tovalue ratios of the four major banks – Absa, Standard Bank, FNB and Nedbank – from 2006 to the first quarter of 2011, to assess whether the strict lending criteria applied over the past few years since the economic crisis have eased.

“There is a slow and cautious recovery and there has been a slight drop in the first quarter of 2011, with fears of a double dip recession being mooted. But an upward trend in new lending for the residential market indicates that banks are developing more of a desire for risk,” says analysts .

“Boosting indications that lending criteria have relaxed is the fact the loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are on a similar upward trend. After dropping from an average for all banks and all market segments of almost 90 percent in 2006 to just 79 percent in 2009, they have climbed back up to an average of 82 percent since the first quarter of 2010.”

She says there is a significant difference in LTVs, however, once these are assessed in terms of market segment. Poorer households are accessing home loans of over 90 percent LTV whereas the LTVs for the comfortably off and super-wealthy are around 80 percent and 75 percent respectively.

“A number of factors account for this trend. The first is affordability – it is often simply the case that comfortable and wealthier buyers have cash to put down deposits and have often sold previous homes at a profit, whereas those buying in poorer areas may not have savings or the profits from the sale of a home to invest.

“However, it should also be considered that much of the bad debt on the banks’ books after the downturn in property values and rising interest rates caused many homeowners to default, came from the wealthier sector and higher-priced homes. Also, there has been pressure on the banks to contribute towards South Africa’s low-cost housing backlog by making home loans more accessible to lower income earners.

“There has been comment from the property sector that the strict lending criteria are a major factor constraining house price growth, and that in light of low interest rates this approach may be too conservative – creating something of a buyer’s market,” says Ivins.

However, she says, there is clearly light at the end of the tunnel.

“Interest rates are low, home loan accounts are performing better and lending criteria should become more lenient, which should stimulate prices and demand as household debt comes under control and banks resolve the distressed property sales and properties in possession still on their books.”

Please contact us if you require any further information or would like to apply for finance:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

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Deposits still key for prospective Owners in bond application process

Although 100% home loans are being approved by banks in select cases, potential property owners are advised to save for mortgage deposits, due to the numerous economic benefits for prospective home owners in the long-term.

This is according to Morne Prinsloo, one of South Africa’s leading bond originators, who says that on average 36.5% of applications for 100% bonds were granted by the banks during March 2011. “This is in comparison to the 48.33% of bonds that were granted with a 10 – 20% deposit during the same period.”

Prinsloo says that deposits offer both long and short-term benefits for potential home buyers. “Although the current property cycle is seen as a buyer’s market with many good investment opportunities for potential home owners, the current economic climate has caused financial institutions to be risk averse with stringent credit criteria and lending policies. It is therefore more difficult for consumers to lending policies in this environment.”

He says that banks often look favourably at buyers with a deposit and will be more open to negotiate a competitive interest rate on a home loan, as a result of the reduced risk to the bank. “Besides improving your chances of getting your home loan approved, a bigger deposit could result in a more favourable bond rate that will save you in interest over the term of the loan. As a home loan is paid back over a long period, generally between 20 and 25 years, even a small deduction in the interest rate on your bond, can save you thousands of Rands in interest payments over time.”

He says that having a deposit available will also improve the buyer’s chance of securing the purchase and speeding the transaction up. “Properties on the market are currently taking longer to sell. A deposit will strengthen the buyer’s negotiating power with the seller because of the improved chance of securing finance.

“Some sellers are also more willing to accept an offer if the buyer has a deposit, as there is a higher likelihood that they will complete the sale.”

He says that consumers looking to purchase property in the future should be saving towards deposits by putting a certain amount away each month. “First time buyers are encouraged to start saving for a deposit as early in their working careers as possible. As time goes by, interest will accumulate and assist towards securing home loan finance. It is recommended that applicants should try and secure at least a 10% deposit towards the purchase of a property, but banks will however look at any deposit from 5% up as favourable.”

Prinsloo says that consumers that don’t have cash or immediate access to funds can investigate alternative sources such as personal loans or deposit guarantees – an insurance policy specifically designed to assist potential home buyers to secure a deposit.

Please contact us if you require any further information or would like to apply for finance:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za