How much home loan is right for you?

One of the biggest attractions of an investment in property is the fact that it is relatively easy to gear the purchase – that is, to use someone ease’s money to cover most of the purchase cost.

Lenders are happy because their loans are secured by bricks and mortar assets and, for the borrower, there is always the chance of a quick gain from rising property prices.

Consequently, borrowers are often tempted to go for the highest possible gearing ratio, with a low deposit and a high proportion of the property cost borrowed.

“But borrowers need to consider that a bigger deposit generally means a better chance of a home loan at the most favorable interest rate, and that the loan can be paid off or at least reduced more quickly – which means that the property owner will have a bigger capital gain when the time comes to sell.”

Before they go house hunting, potential buyers also need to determine what size loan they themselves feel comfortable about repaying.

“Financial institutions will determine the maximum they are prepared to lend based on the borrower’s credit record and current income and debt commitments, and with interest rates currently so low, borrowers may well find that they qualify for bigger loans than they anticipated.

“This does not necessarily mean, however, that they should immediately opt for a more expensive property or a higher gearing ratio. Determining what size loan is right for you remains a personal decision and should take into account your overall investment strategy as well as the property in question.”

The buyer of a newly built property, for example, may need less cash to cover transfer costs or improvements and be able to put down a bigger deposit, while the buyer of an older home may decide to take a bigger loan and keep some cash in hand to cover the costs of repairs and renovation.

“In general, though, it is good advice to put down the biggest possible deposit and keep the amount borrowed to the lowest level.

“And the final decision should only be made after careful consideration of the probable future trend of interest rates and after shopping around to ensure the best possible current rate on the loan.”

Here’s some calculators to help you make the right decision:

Affordability Calculator

Bond Status Calculator

Increased Installments Calculator

Minimum Income Calculator

Monthly Payments Calculator

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

Question and Answers regarding Home Loans in SA

Q: I am in the process of buying a home and require a bond. My first thought was to apply directly with my bank, however a friend told me about something called Mortgage Origination. What is Mortgage Origination and why do I need a mortgage originator?

A: Mortgage origination is the business of negotiating a home loan with a bank on behalf of a prospective property owner. Mortgage originators give you independent advice on choosing a home loan and help you obtain it without the hassle of doing all the legwork yourself. Some originators, like Mortgage Plus, offer services that may help a buyer, like advice on estate agents in the area, how to complete the sale agreement, etc.

Because your home purchase is probably the most expensive one you’ll make in your life, the home loan itself is an important financial decision and the benefit to be gained from making the correct choice can amount to savings of hundreds of thousands of Rand over the life of the loan.

Q: I am confused. What is a Variable Rate Loan vs. a Fixed Rate loan?

A: With a variable rate loan, your interest rate is linked to the base home loan rate which moves up and down depending on market conditions. If the base rate decreases by one percent, so will your interest rate, and of course if the base rate increases so does your home loan rate.

With a Fixed Rate Loan however, your interest rate is fixed for a specified period, generally between one and two years and is generally slightly higher than the base home loan rate when the loan is taken out. A fixed rate loan protects you from rising interest rates and gives you the certainty of knowing exactly what your payments will be. Bear in mind however that it does not allow you to benefit from any decreases in the interest rate over the fixed period.

Q: My husband and I are expecting our third child so we are in the market to buy a new, bigger home but with the current interest rates and uncertainty in the property market at the moment, we really need sound advice on whether to buy a new home, build from scratch or renovate our existing home.

A: Whether you are buying an existing home, building a new one or renovating your current abode, taking the first steps towards home ownership is a daunting prospect. Take heart – no matter how intimidating that mountain may appear, scaling it will always be easier with sound advice.

Property’s primary law is position – the area in which the home is located and the market value of the homes within that suburb. Discussing the prospects with family and friends around the braai or the dinner table provides a valuable perspective on the intangible elements of local amenities, community living or double-storey homes when there is a new baby in the crib.

Building and renovating carries the guiding principle – do not over-capitalise the property relative to the neighbours. Simply put: building or extending the property into a five-bedroom mansion with an Olympic-size swimming pool in an area where the bulk of properties have three bedrooms on small plots is not economically sensible.

Conversely, renovating the smallest property in a prime area promises a long-term return that more than compensates for the renovation costs. Essentially, bathrooms and kitchens sell properties so upgrading those assets substantially improves the home value.

There is no substitute for professional advice. Mortgage Plus  is one of the country’s top mortgage originators and offers free advice to home owners and buyers. Whether buying, renovating or building, our consultants can guide you through the process step-by-step, complete the paperwork and arrange and negotiate with the banks a finance package to suit your individual needs.

By choosing Mortgage Plus for a loan, you will get professional advice to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.

CONTACT US

Speak to a home loan consultant about financing your new property or reviewing your existing mortgage. We are able to assist in lowering your bond repayments and securing attorney discounts.

Complete this short form online
Call us on 011.327.4489
Email: morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za