Property Investment – How a financial adviser can help

So, you’ve decided to invest in property, what do you need a financial adviser for?

Whether it’s your first property or fifth, upgrading to your family home or part of a long-term property investment strategy a financial adviser can enhance your property journey in five key areas:

1. Developing your strategy & financial model

A good strategy will address your financial goals and how to achieve them. It will cover saving for your property deposit/s, how to structure your cash accounts and loans, what entities should hold the property e.g. whether a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) or family trust should be considered and a plan for the timing of your purchases.

Financial modelling taking into consideration your strategy as well as income and capital growth. The result gives you a picture of what the future looks like 2,3,5,10+ years down the track. Giving you clear insight into whether you are on the right track to achieve your goals.

2. Helping you prepare for applying for finance

Lenders are now taking a deeper look at personal spending when assessing loans. Gone are the days where you jot down estimated expenses, now they want proof. They’ll ask for your bank statements; they’re looking for how much you spend on UberEATS, Netflix and gym memberships.

Realistically you’ll be able to cut down on your discretionary spend once you obtain your finance, but you don’t want to get questioned about your spending habits.

We work through three months of your spending with you and identify areas that may come under scrutiny. Depending on your situation we may discuss cutting items before you apply for finance; giving you the double benefit of having everything neat and tidy for potential lenders and increasing your deposit.

3. Protecting your wealth

When you’re starting out on your wealth journey, your major asset is your potential. Potential to work and earn an income and put that income to good use, to build your wealth. Often you’ll have debt too, particularly when investing in property. But what happens if something occurs to slow your earning potential down or stop you from being able to make your loan repayments?

You need a back-up plan. This generally involves establishing a buffer account with three – six months’ expenses and a solid personal insurance strategy in place. Personal insurances are: Life, Total and Permanent Disability, Income Protection and Trauma insurance. Insurances that pay out in a variety of circumstances related to illness and injury.

The right amount, the right combination and the right ownership structure of your insurances are tricky to work out on your own, so we work with you to understand your needs and step you through the process.

4. Keeping you accountable

Once you have a strategy in place you need to stay on track to achieve your goals. We check in with you to make sure you are saving for your deposit/s, building up your offset account and selecting the right properties as per your strategy.

Often something will come along that can derail you from your goals, a property you must have, a new job opportunity, a holiday or maybe a baby. We’ll help you evaluate whether this opportunity is the right decision for you and assess the impact on your strategy or adapt your strategy if required.

Life throws curve balls and having someone impartial to keep you accountable helps you make the right decision for your best future.

5. Work with your other professional advisers

There’s nothing worse than having your professional advisers give you opposing opinions. It makes you feel like you have to choose just one to deal with. Clients get the best results when their professional advisers work together. Having your mortgage broker, accountant and financial adviser on the same page, means you have all bases covered. Resulting in a team working for you, to achieve your goals.

Consulting with a financial adviser before you embark on your property journey is an excellent way to optimise your journey. It is never too late or too early, although I’m a believer in the earlier the better.

https://www.yourlifeandmoneymatters.com.au/

Keryn Batsilas is the Financial Adviser at Your Life & Money Matters and a member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA). She has over 12 years experience in financial services and is passionate about helping families with their personal finance matters. Contact Keryn on: 0413 637 291 or keryn@ylmm.com.au.

Keryn Batsilas is an authorised representative of Total Financial Solutions Limited. AFSL No. 224 954, ABN 94 003 771 579

This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. You should not act on any information in this report without first consulting a professional investment adviser in order to ascertain whether the information and any investment decision is appropriate. This information is believed to be accurate however no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given in relation to any advice or information contained, and neither TFSA or its Representatives and officers, agents or employees of either of the aforementioned shall not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising in any way for any representation, act or omission, whether express or implied (including responsibility to any persons by reason of negligence).