array(1) { [0]=> &object(stdClass)#5673 (52) { ["id"]=> string(5) "16662" ["title"]=> string(120) "Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset? " ["alias"]=> string(114) "is-the-market-overheating-should-etfs-take-your-fancy-and-what-s-happening-to-the-low-and-middle-income-tax-offset" ["introtext"]=> string(156) "

On this episode of The nestegg Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and three experts discuss the latest in equities, property investing and super.

" ["fulltext"]=> string(1063) "

Steve Waters, director of Right Property Group, chats about the latest in property, including the much-talked-about use of macro-prudential measures to cool the rapidly expanding market.

RMIT’s senior lecturer of finance, Dr Angel Zhong, talks about soaring ETFs, what they are and why young investors, in particular, are jumping onboard their latest surge. Dr Zhong also takes a closer look at BNPL platforms.

And lastly, tax and super guru Timothy Munro gives his thoughts on Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s choice to backtrack on any further SG changes and looks at the impending end of the low and middle income tax offset.

Have a question for our experts? Get in touch at [email protected] and you might get featured on the next episode.

" ["checked_out"]=> string(1) "0" ["checked_out_time"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["catid"]=> string(3) "302" ["created"]=> string(19) "2021-04-20 05:52:58" ["created_by"]=> string(4) "2404" ["created_by_alias"]=> string(0) "" ["state"]=> string(1) "1" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2021-04-20 07:31:39" ["modified_by"]=> string(4) "2357" ["modified_by_name"]=> string(12) "Erika Sauler" ["publish_up"]=> string(19) "2021-04-20 07:06:30" ["publish_down"]=> string(19) "0000-00-00 00:00:00" ["images"]=> string(233) "{"image_intro":"images\/podcasts\/Angel_Zhong_Steve_Waters_Timothy_Munro.jpg","float_intro":"","image_intro_alt":"","image_intro_caption":"","image_fulltext":"","float_fulltext":"","image_fulltext_alt":"","image_fulltext_caption":""}" ["urls"]=> string(121) "{"urla":false,"urlatext":"","targeta":"","urlb":false,"urlbtext":"","targetb":"","urlc":false,"urlctext":"","targetc":""}" ["attribs"]=> string(855) "{"article_layout":"","show_title":"","link_titles":"","show_tags":"","show_intro":"","info_block_position":"","info_block_show_title":"","show_category":"","link_category":"","show_parent_category":"","link_parent_category":"","show_associations":"","show_author":"","link_author":"","show_create_date":"","show_modify_date":"","show_publish_date":"","show_item_navigation":"","show_icons":"","show_print_icon":"","show_email_icon":"","show_vote":"","show_hits":"","show_noauth":"","urls_position":"","alternative_readmore":"","article_page_title":"","video_url":"","channel_id":"UCLBR-2LtTtui_WiRuEfW3qA","send":"0","test":"0","schema_active":"0","schema_name":"","schema_description":"","schema_thumbnailUrl":"","schema_uploadDate":"","schema_duration":"","schema_contentUrl":"","schema_embedUrl":"","comments":"1","readingDiff":"3","canonical_link":""}" ["metadata"]=> string(68) "{"robots":"","author":"","rights":"","xreference":"","metatitle":""}" ["metakey"]=> string(82) "market, overheating, etfs, fancy, what’s, happening, middle, income, tax, offset" ["metadesc"]=> string(200) "On this episode of The nestegg Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic and three experts discuss the latest in equities, property investing and super. Steve Waters, director of Right Property Group, " ["access"]=> string(1) "1" ["hits"]=> string(2) "29" ["xreference"]=> string(0) "" ["featured"]=> string(1) "0" ["language"]=> string(1) "*" ["readmore"]=> string(4) "1063" ["ordering"]=> string(1) "0" ["category_title"]=> string(7) "Podcast" ["category_route"]=> string(17) "resources/podcast" ["category_access"]=> string(1) "1" ["category_alias"]=> string(7) "podcast" ["published"]=> string(1) "1" ["parents_published"]=> string(1) "1" ["lft"]=> string(2) "82" ["author"]=> string(12) "Robyn Tongol" ["author_email"]=> string(33) "[email protected]" ["parent_title"]=> string(9) "Resources" ["parent_id"]=> string(3) "300" ["parent_route"]=> string(9) "resources" ["parent_alias"]=> string(9) "resources" ["alternative_readmore"]=> NULL ["layout"]=> NULL ["params"]=> object(Joomla\Registry\Registry)#5674 (3) { ["data":protected]=> object(stdClass)#5671 (95) { ["article_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_titles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_intro"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["info_block_show_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_category"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["link_parent_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_associations"]=> string(1) "0" ["flags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["link_author"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_create_date"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_modify_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_publish_date"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_item_navigation"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_vote"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_readmore_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["readmore_limit"]=> string(3) "100" ["show_tags"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_icons"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_print_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_email_icon"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["record_hits"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_noauth"]=> string(1) "0" ["urls_position"]=> string(1) "0" ["captcha"]=> string(0) "" ["show_publishing_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_article_options"]=> string(1) "1" ["save_history"]=> string(1) "1" ["history_limit"]=> int(10) ["show_urls_images_frontend"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_urls_images_backend"]=> string(1) "1" ["targeta"]=> int(0) ["targetb"]=> int(0) ["targetc"]=> int(0) ["float_intro"]=> string(4) "left" ["float_fulltext"]=> string(5) "right" ["category_layout"]=> string(14) "momentum:newne" ["show_category_heading_title_text"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_category_title"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_description"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_description_image"]=> string(1) "0" ["maxLevel"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_no_articles"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_subcat_desc"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_cat_tags"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_base_description"]=> string(1) "1" ["maxLevelcat"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_empty_categories_cat"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcat_desc_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_cat_num_articles_cat"]=> string(1) "1" ["num_leading_articles"]=> string(2) "14" ["num_intro_articles"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_columns"]=> string(1) "0" ["num_links"]=> string(1) "0" ["multi_column_order"]=> string(1) "0" ["show_subcategory_content"]=> string(2) "-1" ["show_pagination_limit"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter_field"]=> string(4) "hide" ["show_headings"]=> string(1) "1" ["list_show_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["date_format"]=> string(0) "" ["list_show_hits"]=> string(1) "0" ["list_show_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["orderby_pri"]=> string(4) "none" ["orderby_sec"]=> string(5) "rdate" ["order_date"]=> string(9) "published" ["show_pagination"]=> string(1) "2" ["show_pagination_results"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_featured"]=> string(4) "show" ["show_feed_link"]=> string(1) "1" ["feed_summary"]=> string(1) "0" ["feed_show_readmore"]=> string(1) "0" ["sef_advanced"]=> int(1) ["sef_ids"]=> int(1) ["custom_fields_enable"]=> string(1) "1" ["show_page_heading"]=> NULL ["layout_type"]=> string(4) "blog" ["menu_text"]=> int(1) ["menu_show"]=> int(1) ["page_title"]=> string(71) "Invest Money - Strategies and Tools for your Investment Goals | nestegg" ["menu-meta_description"]=> string(180) "Let us help you decide how you want to invest your money on. Learn the best strategies in investing and options like cryptocurrency, bonds, mutual funds, property and stock market." ["secure"]=> int(0) ["page_description"]=> string(7) "nestegg" ["page_rights"]=> NULL ["robots"]=> NULL ["page_heading"]=> string(71) "Invest Money - Strategies and Tools for your Investment Goals | nestegg" ["access-view"]=> bool(true) } ["initialized":protected]=> bool(true) ["separator"]=> string(1) "." } ["displayDate"]=> string(19) "2021-04-20 07:06:30" ["slug"]=> string(120) "16662:is-the-market-overheating-should-etfs-take-your-fancy-and-what-s-happening-to-the-low-and-middle-income-tax-offset" ["catslug"]=> string(11) "302:podcast" ["link"]=> string(133) "/resources/podcast/is-the-market-overheating-should-etfs-take-your-fancy-and-what-s-happening-to-the-low-and-middle-income-tax-offset" ["image"]=> string(58) "images/podcasts/Angel_Zhong_Steve_Waters_Timothy_Munro.jpg" ["image_alt"]=> string(0) "" } }

Latest Podcast

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening t...

Resources

There is $17.5 billion in lost and unclaimed super across ...

Invest

5 tips for first home buyers

By Cameron Micallef

December 17 2020
Share

Invest

5 tips for first home buyers

By Cameron Micallef
December 17 2020

A record reduction in the home loan rate, government stimulus packages such as the HomeBuilder, strong consumer confidence and a brief dip in property prices have seen a flood of first home buyers enter the market, a big four bank has revealed.

5 tips for first home buyers

By Cameron Micallef

December 17 2020
Share

In the three months to October 31, lending to first home buyers at NAB increased by 21 per cent against the 12-month average.

NAB revealed that first home buyers represented the only growth in the market during this time.

“First home buyers are back in the market at levels we haven’t seen for a decade,” NAB executive, home ownership, Andy Kerr said.

“Demand has been supported by historically low interest rates and more government support, such as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and HomeBuilder. A brief pullback in property prices also helped FHBs as the uncertainty of COVID-19 put many plans on ice, with investor demand slowing noticeably.

Lloyd Edge, director of Aus Property Professionals, said “it’s exciting to see so many first home buyers enter the market and begin their property journey”.

“As it’s their first foray into ownership, I believe they will need a helping hand, as there are a number of things to consider in order to make home ownership as successful as possible.”

To assist, FHBs as they enter the market, Mr Edge has shared five handy tips:

Compare home loans and don’t be afraid to refinance your mortgage: A home loan is a long-term debt, so even a small difference in interest adds up over time. With interest rates at incredibly low levels and banks in competitive mode, keep your options open, the property professional said.

Tax time is your friend: Mr Edge also advised FHBs to be aware of the tax benefits they are entitled to.

“While most people are aware of some tax deductions, a significant proportion don’t claim what they’re entitled to, or they don’t claim correctly.”

He pointed out that a home bought as an investment is entitled to claim the interest you’re paying to the bank, all of the expenses for the property e.g. water bills, strata, certain repairs and tenancy costs if you’re an investor.

“Also, once you purchase a property, hire a registered quantity surveyor so they can put together a depreciation schedule for you and you can then claim assets in the property e.g. lifetime of a rangehood, air conditioner, carpet and blinds,” he explained.

Manage risk through insurance cover: Mr Edge explained that the type of insurance required will depend on your specific situation, “but I always advise people to never try to save on costs by cutting back on insurance and to always get at least two to three quotes”.

“If you’re an investor, take out landlord insurance which will cover your property as well as fixtures and fittings. Depending on the policy, it can also cover you for liability e.g. damage by pets or tenants, and can compensate you for loss of rental income if the property is severely damaged,” Mr Edge explained.

“If you’re a home owner, take out building (or home owners) insurance as it covers your home from fire, storm damage, floods etc. If you live in a strata title apartment, the building will be covered by residential strata insurance.”

“Lastly, take out contents insurance, as it will cover the repair or replacement of your possessions inside your home.”

Look into sustainable alternatives: The property expert has told FHBs to not ignore the benefits of solar panels when purchasing a property.

“There are a number of solar rebates available, so make sure you look into the options, as it varies state by state. If you’re a landlord, this will bode well with tenants as it will mean less bills and you can potentially increase your rent. Looking at it long-term, it will increase the value of the property and add equity straight away,” Mr Edge told first home buyers.

“Also, switching to energy-efficient LED lights will reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Think long-term about the equity: Mr Edge said that depending on your long-term goals, you can use the equity in your current home for a deposit on another home.

“If you’re considering this, my top tip is to never cross collateralise loans – a situation where collateral for one loan is used as collateral for another loan, as it gives the bank too much control.”

“You can also use the equity for renovations to add further value, pay for private school tuition for your children, overseas holidays etc. The options are endless, and property truly does give you the chance of financial freedom and flexibility,” Mr Edge concluded.

Forward this article to a friend. Follow us on Linkedin. Join us on Facebook. Find us on Twitter for the latest updates

Rate the article

About the author

Cameron Micallef

Cameron is a journalist for Momentum Media's nestegg and Smart Property Investment. He enjoys giving Aussies practical financial tips and tricks to help grow their wealth and achieve financial independence. As a self-confessed finance nerd, Cameron enjoys chatting with industry experts and commentators to leverage their insights to grow your portfolio.

About the author

Cameron Micallef

Property

FHB surge as ‘it’s now cheaper to buy than rent’

Record-low interest rates mean that it is now cheaper to buy than rent, with first home buyers taking advantage, doubling their participation in the market, a big four bank CEO has said. ...Read more

Property

New home sales continue to soar in March

A strong level of building activity is expected in 2021 and 2022, given a strong spike in home sales during the year to March. ...Read more

Property

HomeBuilder extension announced

One of the government’s most successful schemes, HomeBuilder, has been extended, bringing the total level of expected government support for the construction sector to $2.5 billion. ...Read more

Property

Policy failures see houses become unattainable for young Australians, minister says

Australia’s booming house prices are the result of the government’s failed policies, with the younger generation now unable to afford what their parents could, a minister has said. ...Read more

Property

House prices to grow by 25% over 3 years

New research is predicting a large gain in property prices of around 25 per cent through to the end of 2023, driven mainly by low interest rates. ...Read more

Property

Strict cap on short-term rentals delayed following criticism

Following widespread criticism from councils and online rental companies, the introduction of NSW’s planned holiday rental code of conduct has been pushed back by three months. ...Read more

Property

Melbourne becomes Australia’s 2nd most affordable rental market

While most capital cities saw house rents soar to new record highs over the first quarter of 2021, Melbourne continued to lag behind – becoming the second most affordable capital city to rent in Aus...Read more

Property

Why home buyers are now more open to high-priced properties

Buyers are more likely to spend more to secure a property as their preferences shift towards bigger spaces with higher price tags, recent data has shown. ...Read more