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Market movements & economic review – November 2023

November 13, 2023

Stay up to date with what’s happened in markets and the Australian economy over the past month.

October was a volatile month on the global stock markets and in Australia. The local sharemarket finished October down 3.8 per cent, representing a third straight month of losses.

Investor sentiment reflected heightened anxiety regarding inflationary pressures and uncertainty over rate rises, mixed economic data and concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Investors are continuing to keep a close eye on oil price movements over fears of an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Click here for our November update video.

Please get in touch on 03 9723 0522 if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.


Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

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This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

A positive property outlook for some

October 9, 2023

Residential property investors have been on a wild ride in recent years as prices slumped during the pandemic and then quickly skyrocketed before losing ground again.

Now, with prices leveling out or slowly increasing, there is good news around the corner, according to some analysts.

A combination of positive indicators for housing could help to fuel further price rises.

With a widespread view that the Reserve Bank’s interest rate increases are beginning to work to ease spending, some believe we may see the first-rate cuts as early as next March. Add to that the increase in migration and the fall in new house construction, and residential property gains may follow. CBA Chief Economist Stephen Halmarick is forecasting a 7% rise in house prices this year and another 5% in 2024 claiming that, by this time next year, prices will return to “all-time record highs”.

The sustained levels of high demand clashing with historically low levels of for-sale listings are also pushing prices up, according to the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA).

In the meantime, some investors are doing it tough with rising interest rates and the end of fixed interest rate mortgages is sometimes a contributing factor. The number of short-term property resales made at a loss has jumped, according to property analysts CoreLogic, from 2.7% a year ago to 9.7% in the June quarter this year. The median loss was $30,000, for houses sold within two years, compared to a median profit of $75,000.

PIPA’s annual survey to gauge property investor sentiment found just over 12% of investors sold at least one investment property in the past year. Less than a quarter of those houses sold went to other investors, continuing a trend that has been happening for several years.

Almost half of those who sold said they were concerned about governments increasing or threatening to increase taxes, duties and levies.

Where are rents headed?

Will rents continue to rise or stabilise? Experts’ views are mixed about the short-term outlook for the rental market.

The Reserve Bank says the continuing shortage of rental housing is likely to support ongoing increases in rents.

The rents paid by new tenants provide a good indication of price movements in rental housing. Actual rents paid by new tenants increased by 14% over the year to February 2023. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, rents paid by new tenants have increased by 24%.

The Reserve Bank says rents for apartments with new tenants have been more volatile than for houses and townhouses over the past couple of years.

Rents for apartments with new tenants fell sharply during the pandemic and remained below pre-pandemic levels until early 2022 but rose 24% over the year to February 2023, whereas the overall index increased by 14%. By contrast, rent for houses and townhouses with new tenants increased by around 10% over the year to February 2023.

But CoreLogic predicts a slowing in rental price growth next year, saying rents rose for the 35th month in a row in July but monthly growth has eased over the past four months. It says the expected drop in interest rates next year combined with softer income growth and stretched rental affordability will contribute to a slowing in rents.

First homebuyers falling

The recent boom in property prices, the positive outlook and the many assistance programs available from federal and state governments have not been helping those looking to get into the market.

The number of first homebuyers has fallen significantly over the past 30 years, a new study has found. Published by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the study says the drop in first homebuyers is down to delayed partnering, higher rates of educational attainment and associated debt, the precarious nature of employment and worsening housing affordability.

The study says various government policy decisions have had little effect on the numbers of first homebuyers.

Build-to-rent growth

Australia’s growing build-to-rent (BTR) market is getting a boost from governments eager to increase housing stock. Various state governments have introduced a raft of incentives for build-to-rent projects, mostly in the form of tax concessions.

BTR projects, common in Europe and North American, see landlords build a large-scale residential development intending to hold it for the long-term while renting the apartments for longer-than-usual terms, often as long as three years with rent increases locked in. Rents are often slightly higher than market averages in return for better communal amenities such as roof gardens and gyms.

Institutional investors, such as super funds, are also getting onboard with the projects, favouring the steady income stream.

While Australia’s BTR market is mostly being driven by large developers and global players, smaller private investors are also getting in on the act. On the plus side, BTR offers regular income, often better returns and the chance to minimise expenses, not to mention the government tax concessions.

On the downside, there is the possibility the BTR concept might not take off in Australia and that vacancy rates may be higher as a result. There is also a downside to the promise of regular income – locked in rental increases may not keep pace with rapid market changes.


Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

Integrity One Facebook

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

A loan when you don’t tick all the boxes

October 9, 2023

It can be difficult to think about a property purchase if you don’t meet all the criteria for a loan. Perhaps you work for yourself, have recently moved jobs, taken time out of the workforce to raise a family, or your credit history isn’t squeaky clean.

Rest assured that there are still loan options to suit your circumstances, which a broker is well positioned to help you access. Here is the rundown on some options you might not have considered.

Non-conforming loans

Non-conforming loans are suited to people whose situations aren’t clear cut and therefore are likely to face barriers when applying for traditional loans. They provide an opportunity for people with irregular incomes – such as freelancers, those at the end of their careers or who are returning to the workforce – to access financing.

Low documentation loan

One type of a non-conforming loan is known as a low documentation (low doc) loan. These are geared towards people who are self-employed – who have an income and assets, but who may not have all the documents usually required for a loan (such as years of tax returns and income statements).

Instead, a self-verification process is in place, where you sign a declaration stating your earnings. As the name low doc suggests, the reduced documentation needed for these type of loans enables borrowers who wouldn’t usually be able to provide the required information to access a loan.

It’s a misconception with this type of loan that you don’t have to provide any documents, however. As well as submitting an income declaration form, you will likely also need to provide your bank statements and a letter from your accountant that confirms your financial standing. You may also be asked for your ABN, a BAS statement and GST registration details, if applicable.

For those who are self-employed, keep in mind you may still be eligible for a traditional loan. While low doc loans were initially designed for small business owners and self-employed, if you have the necessary financials and tax returns available for assessment you could still be successful in a full doc loan application. We can help guide you and advise the best loan for your circumstances.

Signs you may not be a ‘perfect match’ for some of the lenders:

  • You have a solid income, but only have a small deposit
  • Your work means you regularly change jobs. This can imply you don’t have job stability, however for some it could just be the nature of your particular industry
  • You need to consolidate a few other debts such as personal loans, credit cards or business debt
  • You don’t have a perfect credit history. This may be that you have missed loan/ bill payments in the past or have previously declared bankruptcy
  • You have recently started a business or a new job
  • You are self-employed

Bad credit loans

It’s not the most appealing name, but this type of loan is geared towards people who have difficulty qualifying for a loan due to their credit score. It can also be an option for people with little to no credit history, for example those who have never had a credit card.

If you have a credit score of lower than 700, traditionally a bank would consider you too high a financial risk to approve. This type of non-conforming loan can help you access funds.

Generally, bad credit loans only allow you to borrow a small amount of money, so you’re unlikely to be in a position to make a big purchase, such as property.

Things to keep in mind

It’s also worthwhile knowing that non-conforming loans (including low doc loans) often come with higher interest rates than traditional home loans – this is because they are deemed riskier for the lender with a higher risk you not being able to make the repayments. Therefore, they may have a risk fee attached to them and there might also be stricter loan terms, such as larger deposits required.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to borrow as much as you would ordinally be able to with a traditional loan, so re-approval is key to ensuring you’re aware of how much you are able to borrow before making a purchase.

Another factor to consider is that as non-conforming loans aren’t very common, you’re likely to be limited in terms of your choice of lender. Finally, even non-conventional loans aren’t guaranteed – not all applications are successful.

What you will need

There is a common misconception that you don’t require much documentation for these types of loans, which is not the case. While your circumstances may be more complex than a straightforward application, you will need to be able to show your income and demonstrate the capacity to make the repayments for your potential loan.

As with a traditional loan, you’ll be required to complete an application form and, generally speaking, at a minimum you will need to provide a copy of your ID, bank statements and proof of income.

Finding the right fit

Non-conforming loans can be beneficial but they’re not the right choice for everyone. Having the assistance of a broker can help you navigate the different loan options and find the best fit for your circumstances.

If you don’t tick all the boxes when it comes to applying for a home loan, we can guide you through the loan application process and can help find the right solution for your circumstances.

Nicholas Berry Credit Representative Number 472439 is a Credit Representative of Integrity Finance (Aust) Pty Ltd – Australian Credit Licence 392184.
This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

Should I buy insurance through my super?

October 9, 2023

While we all hope for good health, the reality is that some of us may struggle at times with sickness or injury. And that may affect your family’s financial well-being.

Different types of life insurance or personal insurance can provide an income when you’re unable to earn or a lump sum to protect your loved ones if the worst happens.

These insurances include income protection, life insurance, and total and permanent disability (TPD) cover. These products are available through your superannuation fund or outside the fund, directly through an insurance company. There are also other products not usually offered by super funds such as accidental death and injury insurance, critical illness or trauma cover and business expenses insurance (when a business owner suffers serious illness or injury).

In fact, most super funds provide a level of automatic cover unless you choose to opt out. Almost 10 million Australians have at least one type of insurance (life, TPD or income protection) provided through superannuation.

Check what your fund offers

Super funds usually provide three types of personal insurance. These include:

  • Life insurance or death cover provides a lump sum payment to your beneficiaries in the event of your death.
  • Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) pays a lump sum if you become totally and permanently disabled because of illness or injury and it prevents you from working.
  • Income Protection pays a regular income for an agreed period if you are unable to work because of illness or injury.

While these insurance products can provide valuable protection, it’s essential to be aware of circumstances where coverage might not apply. For example, super funds will cancel insurance on inactive super accounts that haven’t received contributions for at least 16 months. Some funds may also cancel insurance if your balance is too low, usually under $6000. Automatic insurance coverage will not be provided if you’re a new super fund member aged under 25.

Should you insure through super?

Using your super fund to buy personal insurance has advantages and disadvantages so it’s a good idea to review how they might affect you.

On the plus side

Cost-effective

Insurance through super can be more cost-effective because the premiums are deducted from your super balance, reducing the impact on your day-to-day cash flow. It’s also said that the super funds’ massive buying power gives them an opportunity to be more competitive on price.

Automatic inclusion

Many super funds automatically provide insurance cover without requiring medical checks or extensive paperwork.

Tax benefits

Some contributions made to your super for insurance purposes may be tax-deductible, providing potential tax benefits.

Think about possible downsides

Limited flexibility

Super funds can only offer a standard set of insurance options, which may not fully align with your needs. For example, income protection insurance inside super can only offer the indemnity cover (you are required to verify your income at the time of claim) while outside super you can opt for the agreed value cover (you are required to verify your income when applying for cover and is agreed to at the start of your policy).

Reduced retirement savings

Paying insurance premiums from your super balance means less money invested for your retirement, potentially impacting your final payout.

Coverage gaps

Depending solely on your super fund’s insurance might leave you with coverage gaps, as the default options may not cover all your unique circumstances.

Possible tax issues

Be aware that some lump sum payments may be taxed at the highest marginal rate if the beneficiary isn’t your dependent.

Don’t forget the life admin

Whether you decide to buy insurance through your super fund or not, it is important to regularly review your insurance coverage to make sure they reflect your current life stage. As your circumstances change with marriage, divorce, children or a new job, your insurance needs will also change.

It is also important to keep on top of your super accounts. If you have more than one fund, you may be paying additional insurance premiums. Consolidating your super accounts can help you avoid this pitfall (and save money in extra administration fees). But before you make a move, it can be beneficial to seek advice, so check with us to see that you are making the best decision.

Insurance within super can be a valuable safety net, providing crucial financial support to you and your loved ones. Understanding the types of coverage offered, the pros and cons of insuring inside super and the need for regular reviews are essential steps in making the most of this benefit. If you would like to discuss your insurance options, give us a call.

A lesson in regular insurance review

Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing manager, was shocked to discover that her income protection policy, purchased through her super fund, would only cover her for a limited time.

The policy, part of her fund’s automatic insurance coverage, gave Sarah some peace of mind that she was covered if she became ill. But when her insurance was reviewed closely, it emerged the policy would only pay $3000 for up to two years.

As a result, Sarah opted to pay a higher premium to increase the benefit to continue paying until age 65. Sarah’s decision to review her insurance protection has provided an outcome she’s happy with for now. Her next review might see another change, depending on her circumstances at the time, and she may choose to pay lower premiums.

If you need insurance advice just give us a call.


Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

Integrity One Facebook

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

Market movements & economic review – October 2023

October 9, 2023

Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month.

Household wealth has grown for the third quarter in a row, rising by 2.6% in the June quarter, pushed up by rising house prices and increases in super balances.

Click here for our October update video.

Please get in touch on 03 9723 0522 if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.


Suite 2, 1 Railway Crescent
Croydon, Victoria 3136

Email: integrityone@iplan.com.au

Telephone : 03 9723 0522

Integrity One Facebook

This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

Tips to conquer house hunting fatigue

September 4, 2023

Buying a home takes time. Not so much the actual act of putting in an offer, having it accepted and waiting on settlement, which can take as long as the settlement period of 30 to 120 days. But the process that comes before all of that. The process of saving for, looking for, and buying your dream home.

Depending on what is happening in the market and where you are looking, it generally takes an average of nine months to locate a home to buy.

If you throw in the time it takes to come up with a deposit, your timeframe is a lot longer – often stretching out to many years. Even over a decade for some. That means it can be hard to keep the momentum going. Let’s look at some ways to manage what can at times feel like a never-ending journey.

Have some room in your budget for fun

If you’ve been saving for a deposit for a while, you might be feeling like you’ve been frugal forever! It takes a lot of discipline to come up with a decent deposit and there is always that little voice in your head thinking ‘if I only had a little more to spend’ that spurs you on to save even more.

While it’s important to stay on target with your savings it’s equally important when you are in for the long haul to have a little wriggle room to enjoy yourself and have some allowance for a planned splurge now and then.

Know what you are looking for

It can be overwhelming with the amount of stock on the market, and if you feel your life revolves around going to open for inspections you might need to narrow the field a little.

While it’s useful to attend auctions and opens to get a feel for the market and understand what is a realistic price rather than rely on price guides that can be underquoted, it’s frustrating spending time looking at unsuitable properties. They key is to narrow the field, so think about things like where you want to buy and the size, age and condition of the property.

Also consider what you are prepared to compromise on. A neighbouring suburb may offer better buying power than the suburb you have set your sights on, or you may wish to consider a slightly smaller or older property.

Equally there are some things that might be non-negotiable for you. You might want something built in the last decade and be prepared to look at smaller properties to get that or you want an inner-city pad to be close to work and are happy to consider older ‘renovator’s delights’ to get the location you are after.

Hold out for the right property

While it’s important to be flexible and distinguish between your ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’, resist the temptation to buy a place that’s not quite right or exceed your budget to get the perfect property. It’s tempting to buy the next house you see so you can put all this stress and pressure behind you. However, you are likely to make multiple offers and be unsuccessful numerous times before you eventually succeed.

Remember that real estate agents are working for the vendor and if the terms are not to your liking or you are being pressured to make an offer that exceeds your budget or within an unreasonable timeframe, it’s OK to respond with a firm ‘no’. It can be a good idea to cultivate relationships with agents and let them know what you are after though, as they can do some of the legwork for you.

Take a break if you need to – it’s not a race and the odd weekend off might be just what you need.

Make sure you are ready when you find the right one

Finally, make sure you have your ducks in a row. Your most important duck – even before making a verbal offer – is knowing what you can borrow and having a pre-approval in place, and we can help with that. You’ll also need to think about conveyancing and building and pest inspections.

It can seem like a long journey, but you will get there! We are here to help you every step of the way.

Nicholas Berry Credit Representative Number 472439 is a Credit Representative of Integrity Finance (Aust) Pty Ltd – Australian Credit Licence 392184.
This information is of a general nature and does not take into consideration anyone’s individual circumstances or objectives. Financial Planning activities only are provided by Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd as a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 315000 of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 71 069 537 855 AFSL 225051. Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd and Integrity One Accounting and Business Advisory Services Pty Ltd are not liable for any financial loss resulting from decisions made based on this information. Please consult your adviser, finance specialist, broker, and/or accountant before making decisions using this information.

Filed Under: Blogs, News

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Integrity One Planning Services Pty Ltd (ABN 59 125 846 933) is a Corporate Representative (315000) of Integrity Financial Planners Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 225051).