Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Finance

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published housing finance data for September earlier this week. The data showed that the proportion of lending to investors hit a record high in September. 
t the same time the data indicates that demand from owner occupiers is starting to slow.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3959" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Chart-1.jpg" alt="Chart 1" width="500" height="181">
Over recent years the data on the value of housing finance commitment has, to my mind, become much more important to focus on.  The main reason being that this is the only data from the ABS that tracks the level of investment lending. 
The above chart uses raw (not seasonally adjusted) data and uses a 12 month average to smooth the volatility of the data.  Nevertheless you can see the ongoing decline in demand from owner occupier first home buyers and more recently a dip in commitments by owner occupiers that already own a home. 
Across the four borrower types listed you can see that investors now account for the greatest proportion of borrowings from Australian Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs).
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3960" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Chart-2.jpg" alt="Chart 2" width="500" height="183">
Seasonally adjusted data for September 2014 showed that the value of owner occupier refinance commitments was 0.6%, owner occupier commitments (excluding refinances) rose 1.8% and investor commitments were 3.7% higher. 
Year on year, owner occupier refinance commitments are 13.7% higher, owner occupier commitments (excluding refinances) are 3.4% higher and investor finance commitments are 25.4% higher. 
The above chart highlights a couple of important things.  Firstly, while owner occupier refinances and new loans (those excluding refinances) have flattened over recent months it seems as if there has been a resurgence in investor demand.  Secondly, this is the first time ever that the value of monthly investment loans ($11.9 billion) has been greater than the value of owner occupier new loans ($11.8 billion).
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3961" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Chart-3.jpg" alt="Chart 3" width="500" height="182">
The seasonally-adjusted data for September showed that investor finance commitments accounted for an all-time high proportion of lending by Australian ADIs. 
Comparing lending to investors against owner occupier refinances and owner occupier new loans investors accounted for 41.4% of lending, owner occupier new loans were 40.8% and owner occupier refinances were 17.9%. 
The proportion of lending to investors is at a record high while the proportion of lending for owner occupier new loans is at a record low. 
Of course, there is only a certain amount that can be borrowed each month but it is clear demand is strongest from the investment segment.  In fact, if you exclude refinances, a record high 50.2% of new loans written are to investors.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3962" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Chart-4.jpg" alt="Chart 4" width="500" height="182">
The headline result that gets reported on each month is the number of owner occupier loans.  Although it is a very valuable statistic, it should be read with caution because it is missing a significant proportion of the market, those represented by investors. 
Over the month, there were 51,465 owner occupier housing finance commitments, the lowest number since January 2014. 
Month on month the number of loans for refinancing of established dwellings was -2.9% lower while non-refinances increased by 0.5%.  Like the value growth chart presented earlier, the above chart indicates that the number of loans to owner occupiers has flattened over recent months.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3963" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Chart-5.jpg" alt="Chart 5" width="500" height="180">
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
As investor activity has risen, there has been a sharp drop-off in the number of loans to first home buyers. 
Although there is no data to support it there are plenty of anecdotal suggestions that many first home buyers are choosing to purchase investment properties rather than homes for owner occupation. 
Unfortunately, the ABS data only captures those homes purchased by first home buyers for owner occupation.  Owner occupier first home buyer numbers continue to languish at near record low levels. 
In September, first home buyers accounted for 12% of all owner occupier finance commitments however the number of loans actually rose by 4.7%. 
As mentioned earlier, the value of investment loans is at a record high, the previous peak was October 2003 and at that time investors accounted for a slightly higher 13.6% of all owner occupier housing finance commitments. 
What is more alarming is the drop off in volumes over recent years with that 13.6% actually being 8,481 finance commitments.
The Reserve Bank (RBA) has already highlighted a number of times that they have some concerns with the heightened level of investment activity, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.  With the proportion of loans to investors hitting a new record high in September it will further re-iterate those concerns.
The RBA has already flagged that themselves along with other regulators are already looking at ways to curb the level of investment however, they flagged in early September that any announcement would likely come by December. 
In the meantime, it looks like investor finance commitments have got another leg up and over the coming months we may see a further flurry of activity as investors look to enter the market prior to the implementation of any macroprudential curbs.
With investor focus t -date very much on Sydney and Melbourne, it will be interesting to see if this remains the case when the lending finance data for September is released on Wednesday.  If so, you do have to ask yourself what some of these investors are thinking. 
The housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne have been recording value growth since June 2012 and over that time value have increased by 29.8% and 20.7% respectively.  Gross rental yields have fallen from 4.5% to 3.7% in Sydney and from 3.8% to 3.3% in Melbourne.  
I understand that investors need a return and aren’t getting that from keeping their cash in the bank but after almost two and a half years of value growth and a significant compression of rental yields you wonder how much value growth is left in these markets. 
Furthermore, with yields so low if there is little or no growth investors will be left with an asset that provides very little rental return.
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Proportion of investment lending hits record high in September

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The slight fall in the latest ABS housing finance data is further evidence that claims of an unsustainable housing boom are exaggerated, chief economist of Master Builders Australia Peter Jones said. 
Lending for property purchases rose in September as investor loans continued to rise, ABS figures released on Monday showed.
“The fall of 0.7% seasonally adjusted in the total number of owner occupied housing finance commitments for September shows such fears to be misguided,” Peter Jones added.
“For new building, what is needed is a solid and sustained flow of finance over a number of years to redress the previous period of under building which resulted in the current housing under-supply and affordability pressures,” he said. The value of housing loans was up 0.7% overall for September compared to August and 1.7% higher for investment properties. 
With investors ever becoming the more dominant driver of residential property markets in 2014, the data showed the value of loans to investors rising to be up 10% in Q3 and 25.4% year.
Lending to owner-occupiers was up 0.1%.
The number of loans for owner occupied commitments was down 0.2% in trend terms.
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) says the figures for September 2014 showed the fourth consecutive month of falls. 
"If refinancing is excluded, in trend terms for September, the number of owner-occupied finance commitments fell by 0.4%, the REIA noted.
“REIA believes that there is no need for the introduction of macro-prudential tools – to do so may give rise to unintended consequences,” the REIA president Peter Bushby suggested. 
The ABS reported lending for established home purchases fell 0.3% in trend terms but lending for new dwellings up 1.2%.
First home buyer figures as a percentage of total owner-occupied housing finance commitments rose to around 12% in September up from 11.8% in August. 
The number of owner-occupier housing finance approvals declined 0.7% in September, a touch under market expectations of a 0.4% decline but a touch better than Westpac’s –0.9% forecast.
By state, the number of owner-occupier loans fell more sharply in SA (–2.3%mth ex refi) and in Vic and WA (both –1.5%mth) with a slight declines in Qld (–0.2%mth) and a 0.1% uptick in NSW, Westpac's Matthew Hassan noted.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Investor and new dwelling loans up slightly in September: ABS

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Only 15% of 35 to 49 year olds are prioritising long-term savings, while property debt is the dominant priority for this age group, according to a new survey by REST Industry Super.
REST Industry Super’s latest whitepaper, What’s Next, surveyed 1,000 Australians aged between 35 to 49 year on the state of their financial health.
Of the respondents, 71% are paying off a mortgage, which is their main financial aim. Long-term savings are the fourth highest priority, after paying off debt and short-term savings.  Short-term savings, including holidays and education costs, was the top priority for those without mortgages.
<img src="/images/2014/11/04/rest%20nov%205%20one.jpg" alt="">
REST CEO Damian Hill said that it’s encouraging to see this group take control of their immediate finances, including getting their mortgage under control. However, he said that it seems to be to the detriment of planning for the future.
“We know that relying solely on employer super contributions is unlikely to support the kind of lifestyle most Australians want in retirement, so it’s important to prioritise saving for post-work life as well,” Hill said.
“This is even more the case since the recent government announcement to delay the increase in the superannuation guarantee contribution rate to 12% until 2025.”
The 8% of respondents who owned their home outright prioritised retirement as their most important goal.
“Focusing on paying off the house means that over half (51%) of Australians are relying solely on the compulsory super system to save for their retirement – at the very stage of life when they are likely to be in the best position to make additional contributions on top of what their employer is paying,” Hill said.
“Planning for retirement doesn’t mean your mortgage has to suffer, but it is important to balance your financial priorities to ensure long-term savings aren’t being forgotten in the face of more immediate needs.”
However, some 6% of the respondents were saving for property in different ways. Of this small portion, some were using property investments, including their home, as a retirement plan.
Approximately 21% said that they would downsize their home on retirement to use the funds, while more than 35% pointed to investment properties as their plan, narrowly more popular than those investing in shares outside their superannuation.
Property debt a financial priority of middle aged Australians: REST Super
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Property debt a financial priority of middle aged Australians: REST Super

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Dodgy financial planners will soon be named and shamed on a public register, in a move to make the financial planning industry more transparent and protect businesses and individuals from poor advice.
The register forms part of the federal government’s response to a five-month parliamentary inquiry into the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/economy/42786-cba-announces-chair-of-financial-planning-review-unemployment-rate-now-at-6-shares-up-on-open-midday-roundup" target="_blank">Commonwealth Bank scandal</a>, according to <a href="https://www.afr.com/p/business/financial_services/public_shaming_for_rogue_planners_QAMKyItad5ZUzx5jefubeJ" target="_blank">The Australian Financial Review</a>. 
It will include advisers’ names, their registration number, qualifications and professional association memberships. Any bans, disqualifications or enforceable undertakings will also be listed.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said in a statement the register will be up and running by March 2015, and will be funded by increasing the current ASIC lodgement fee for Australian Financial Services licensees from $5 to $44.
“Our goal remains to ensure that we have a robust but efficient financial services regulatory system, which is competitively neutral so that people saving for their retirement or managing financial risks through life can access high quality advice they can trust and which is also affordable,” he says.
“The government will continue to work with the industry working group and all other interested stakeholders on efficient and effective ways to keep lifting professional, ethical and educational standards across the financial advice industry.”
Mark Rantall, chief executive of the Financial Planning Association of Australia, said he welcomed the announcement.
“This is something we’ve been calling for many years and in fact it’s part of our 10-point plan to raise standards and trust in the financial planning industry,” he says.
“Consumers being able to find who has the highest qualification – and in this case a certified financial planner which is the gold standard, and whether they have had any action against them – is really important for transparency so consumers get advice they can trust.”
Rantall says one of the interesting things to look out for when further details come to light is how the register will define what constitutes a ‘professional association’ as opposed to an ‘industry association’.
“Clearly a professional association has ethics, regulations and enforcement and a commitment to ongoing education,” he says.
“Unless an organisation has that at the most robust level then they’re an industry association, not a professional association.”
Rantall says it is critical for SMEs to access sound financial advice, and the new public register is a step in the right direction.
“Running an SME is probably one of the most rewarding things to do, but also one of the highest risk areas where you’ve got your own capital on the line,” he says.
“You need to be on top of your numbers and getting appropriate advice to ensure your business is not only compliant, but also has a solid plan including cash flow analysis so that you give yourself the best chance of success.”
In May, a Melbourne man who claimed to be a financial planner <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/legal/42175-melbourne-financial-planner-faces-court-over-100-million-fraud-charge" target="_blank">faced the Magistrates’ Court</a> for his 10-year involvement in a fraud scheme said to be worth $100 million.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Public register for dodgy financial planners aims to clean up industry

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Some 11% of Australians are planning to sell the family home to fund their retirement, according to the latest MLC Quarterly Australian Wealth Sentiment Survey.
Of the 2,100 participants in the September survey, 8% responded that they are planning to draw down equity in their home, while 40% have no plans to sell their family home.
A further 42% said that they are unsure about whether or not they will use their home to fund their retirement.
Interestingly, men where less inclined to sell the home to fund their retirement, with 45% not willing to take this option, compared to 34% of women.
NAB Wealth group executive Andrew Hagger said that Australians must plan carefully for retirement.
“Australians are looking to rely on the family home to help fund their retirement and cut back spending on their children and home to make their savings last,” said Hagger.
“While the level of concern about financial sufficiency in retirement fell this quarter, half of all Australians still aren’t confident they will have enough to fund their retirement and around one in six are not investing at all.”
{mijopolls 56}
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Will you sell your home to fund your retirement?

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John Symond, the founder of Aussie Home Loans, has revealed he has taken five-year fixed loans for his Sydney investment property portfolio.
The refinancing was done this week.
"I've never been a proponent of fixed rates," he told Ross Greenwood's <a href="https://www.2gb.com/audioplayer/65091#.VCIVAFZK7BI" target="_blank">2GB Money News</a> (27.30 minute mark of recording) last night.
"But I've gotta fess up, this week personally on a couple of properties, I've locked away five year fixed at high 4%s which you can get around the market.
"My feeling is I think you're taking a risk by taking three years because you know rates between now and three years, over the next 12 to 36 months, that's when probably interest rates will be trekking up.
"You are going to be locked in to the end of three years.
"You might find they will sail pass you, and when you come out of your three years you've missed the boat.
"Where as five years I think  you can't go wrong, you are going to get two or three years premium low rates and I thought you know what I am going for it.
"I've looked at it and I thought lowest fixed rates in history, lowest, even if they go down half a percent which I'll be surprised, hey you're within half a percent of the lowest in history.
"So you know I think it is a good time to do it even if you go and fix part of your loan.
"I have three apartments, you know what I am going to lock them away and I don't have to worry about rates moving up in 12, 18 months, two years time."
Host Ross Greenwood, who described it as a pretty good tip, stressed investors needed to ensure their return covered the loan and the property would be held for the five year period.
 
 
 
 
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Aussie's John Symond fixes his investment property mortgage rate

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Recently I received a frantic phone call from a client to whom I was introduced to four weeks ago and who asked me "What’s wrong with just going to the bank I have been with for years?"
When I met this client Andrew (name has been changed) we explained to him that not all banks are the same, they all have different credit policies and lending criteria. Andrew though was convinced his personal banker at his local branch would be able to help him.
So why was Andrew calling me?
Well it seems that Andrew had decided to really dive in at the deep end and purchase a block of six units for just over $1.5 million, with plans to renovate and strata each individual unit.
This sounded great. Based on Andrews numbers by spending around $180,000 he would be increasing the value of his asset by somewhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per unit. And since they could now be sold off individually in the future he had an asset that was much easier to sell if he needed to.
When I met with Andrew originally though, his plan was simply to rent out the newly renovated properties and based on fixing his interest rate of 5% for five years. With a rental return of just over 5% he was hoping to be in an almost cash flow neutral position. In addition with the new equity, which he could access, he would be able to purchase another investment and would be well on his way to having a great property portfolio.
Well Andrew had just received his loan offers from his bank and what his personal banker had failed to tell him was that his bank was treating the application as a commercial application. That meant a valuation fee that was closer to $3,000 than the $900 he was expecting and legal and application fees that totaled almost $12,000. Worst of all his interest rate would jump to nearly 7%. Oh and the lender would only lend at a loan to value ratio (LVR) of 70%.
All of a sudden Andrew’s investment looked like requiring over $33,000 a year in extra income to support the loan. This property had gone from looking like a great opportunity to a drain on his finances.
What could be done?
Firstly, we found a lender who was happy to treat the loan as a standard residential lend. That meant more modest valuation costs.
There was some bad news though. To protect their interest the lender would only lend 70%, while the six units where not strata registered.
But the good news was they would offer him a one year fixed interest rate of 4.79%. This year would give him the opportunity to arrange the strata and renovations and the lender was willing to offer to revalue the property at the end of the year to capture any equity and take the loan up to an 80% lend.
Andrew's story is typical of many of the clients we meet and who call us. Often the last thing thought about is what effect the lending will have on the investment.
Albertus Waldron is a partner at Chan &amp; Naylor. For a free portfolio review or guidance on which lenders might be right for you, you can contact <a href="https://www.chan-naylor.com.au/contact/" target="_blank">Chan &amp; Naylor</a>. 
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What’s wrong with just going to the bank I have been with for years?

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Looking closely at the new credit reporting system introduced in March this year leaves many people feeling a little overwhelmed.
But the first step to making any step forward, especially with your finances, is to get educated.  If you missed part one, <a href="/expert-insights/finance/the-new-era-of-credit-reporting-are-you-ready">check it out here</a> to get up to speed on the changes and what it means for you as an investor.
Having seen how the consequences of credit reporting adversely affects my clients, I feel that there should be greater control on what is placed on someone’s credit file before it’s registered. The onus should not be on borrowers’ to later prove that any one item shouldn’t be there.
You’re probably curious whether there is any good news? Yes! In fact, the great news is that there are lenders that don’t use credit scoring in conjunction with the credit report. I hope that this remains the case with the changes.  These lenders look at the logic of the credit report history.  For example an active investor could have multiple enquiries if they were restructuring a loan as well as completing two purchases  - this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The other lenders that rely heavily on the scoring actually lose the opportunity to build relationships with strong clients.  Now, you may assume that lenders that use the basic credit fundamentals instead of credit score systems are second-rate lenders, though they’re certainly not, nor do they charge higher rates. In fact in some cases, their products are often better and we need to start rewarding these lenders with our business, and reduce the market share of the big four.
It’s extremely important that every person understands what credit suitability means and manage their own accordingly. You want to do this before you apply for a loan to avoid any nasty surprises during the application process.
Steps to accessing and understanding your credit score.
 
<ol>
<li>
Get a copy of your report ASAP from <a href="https://www.veda.com.au/" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Veda</a>. 
</li>
<li>Review this carefully and highlight any errors.  Then you’ll need to begin the process of removing them. This isn’t an easy process and whilst there are some good companies out there to assist be wary of scams. I encourage you to do due diligence carefully before engaging these companies. </li>
<li>Assess your own risk. Would you really lend yourself money? What is your relationship with money and how you handle debt?  Do you go from job to job and have no stability?</li>
</ol>
 
Ways to improve and manage your credit situation. 
<ul>
<li>Pay your all loans on time (it does matter if it’s one day later) and keep your credit facilities under the limit. Also pay other accounts like telephone, rates, Foxtel on or before the due date. 
</li>
<li>Be still. Manage your stability and changing jobs every three months isn’t going to help your credit score and no doubt is a sign that you aren’t happy and need to look at what is causing this job dissatisfaction.  This doesn’t mean don’t ever change or follow your career path but applying for loans in the middle of a changeover doesn’t help your application. 
</li>
<li>Complete a budget and review regularly to ensure you know your numbers. 
</li>
<li>Don’t apply for unnecessary unsecured personal debt &amp; don't chase the 0% interest balance free transfers.  It can cost you a lot more than the interest you are trying to save. 
</li>
<li>Use a good mortgage broker that knows lenders policy and do as much work upfront like valuations and also credit checks to improve your chances of getting approved at the lender you apply for.</li>
</ul>
Remember, lenders will lend based on risk before profit.  Manage your credit file, limit your bad debt, be an example of stability and you can have a better chance of obtaining good debt to start or grow your investment property portfolio.
MICHELLE COLEMAN is an award winning finance broker and managing director at <a href="https://www.wfinancial.com.au/" target="_blank">W Financial</a>.
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Understanding your credit score and how to improve it

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Have you been refused a loan and concerned about looking elsewhere?
While there are a number of reasons you may not be eligible for the home loan you need, one may be that you aren’t seen as “serviceable”.
This, essentially, means that you are not deemed able to pay off the loan due to calculations that say you have too many other potential areas of debt that needs repaying or daily costs. If you are unsure what serviceability means, or how it is calculated, have a <a href="/expert-insights/finance/what-is-serviceability-investment-terms-explained">look at our investment terms explained article here</a>.
In the meantime, there are other things you can do to increase your serviceability and secure the loan you want.
<ol>
<li>
Shop around Firstly, see if you are calculated as being more serviceable elsewhere. An understanding of different lending policies, which a good broker may be a help with, can assist. You can read this article here about <a href="/expert-insights/finance/how-to-pick-the-best-mortgage-broker">choosing the best mortgage broker for you</a>. Different calculations are used by different banks and lenders. 
</li>
<li>
Pay down debt (and avoid taking on more!) If you can, it’s time to supercharge your debt repayments and clear them as quickly as possible. This is particularly good for buyers who are not intending to get into the market for some time. Avoid upgrading your phone to a new expensive plan and taking on increasing levels of debt, all of these additional costs will decrease your serviceability (and your borrowing power). You might also consider putting off that extra child until you've purchased - children, due to the high level of expenditure required to raise them, are seen in the "outgoings" category. Consolidating debt and spending some time paying this down may be one of the most important options here. 
</li>
<li>
Reduce credit card limits High credit card limits affect your serviceability – even if you haven’t used them to their limits and do not intend to. Reduce them as best possible. You can increase them after you have your loan. 
</li>
<li>
Decrease other overheads where possible Yellow Brick Road’s <a href="/expert-insights/finance/the-20-tips-to-ensure-you-get-your-loan">Mark Bouris recommends reducing your overheads</a>, as well as avoiding taking on more. “Fancy car leases, big smart phone plans and cable TV charges can reduce your net income and affect your serviceability,” he says as one of his 20 tips to ensure you get your loan. You could consider consolidating short-term debt into longer term debt to reduce your monthly repayments. 
</li>
<li>
Ensure all your income is taken into account Usually, tax returns and payslips are used to determine your income. If you receive substantial sums in bonuses or commissions each year that significantly lifts your overall earnings, and this hasn’t been addressed by your broker, then you want to bring it up. 
</li>
<li>
Split debt evenly with your partner You may be purchasing together, but if the property is to be secured in your own name then make sure you have evenly divided up liabilities between both of you. Noting down all the debt and outgoings as your own, rather than as 50/50 in your relationship, will significantly lower your personal borrowing capacity in the eyes of a lender.
</li>
</ol>
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Lender says no? Tips and tricks for increasing your borrowing capacity

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Property and banks are seen as the safest places to put your money, according to the latest Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence.
Banks were seen as the wisest place to put new savings, with 34.3% selecting this option, up 6.8% over the quarter.
Another 25.7% of respondents were keen to put savings into property.
In the past 41 years, CommSec chief economist Craig James noted that there have only been five higher readings for consumer confidence in banks.
Paying off debt was the choice of 13.7% of those surveyed, followed by shares and superannuation at 8.5% and 4.0% respectively.
“Aussie consumers aren’t keen to spend any extra money they have or to pay off any more debt, believing the funds should just stay in the bank or go towards a property purchase,” said James.
Despite this, the statistics around whether consumers believed it was “time to buy a dwelling” noted that those saying it is the time dropped 8.2% in the September quarter. This is now 23.2% down over the year.
“Investors don’t seem to agree according to latest lending figures,” noted James.
It was noted that the Reserve Bank is likely not to move before 2015, while the savings intentions are positives for the financial sector and for home building stocks.
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