How to bid at an auction by phone

Bidding at an auction by phone is becoming more popular. You may have noticed these bidders – mysteriously whispering into their phones and then bellowing out bids with unwavering confidence. Whilst some of these people are buyer’s agents, others are just experienced property buyers bidding on behalf of friends or family.

Why bid at an auction by telephone?

There are many reasons why you may prefer to bid at an auction by phone, rather than attending in person. These may include:

Geography: You may want to bid on a property that is rural or located interstate. Or you may want to bid at several auctions being held on the same day and can’t attend them all in person. If that’s the case, you may be better off organising someone to be there for you and work with them over the phone. 

Nerves or inexperience with bidding: A lot of people feel nervous about bidding for themselves – it’s a normal reaction. It’s also normal to feel intimidated by other bidders, particularly if you’ve come face-to-face with some competitive types! Bidding over the phone can help you remain objective by keeping the excitement of the situation at arm’s length. 

Avoid overspending: It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement at an auction and bid above your budget. If it’s a property you really want, it’s hard to stop adding another thousand when the object of your desires is only a few meters away – that’s why they often hold auctions at the property’s front door! It’s easier to stay in control if you place your bids remotely, because you can give your bidder an absolute spending limit. 

What are the pros and cons?

Auctions can be loud and stressful, and bidding by phone can take a lot of the anxiety out of the experience. When the auctioneer starts spruiking and the crowd gathers, you won’t be distracted as you try to sort the sticky-beaks from the serious bidders. You’re more likely to remain calm on the other end of the phone, and go about things in a business-like fashion. 

By the same token, not being able to see the other bidders can be a disadvantage, as you won’t be able to read their body language and gauge the competition. That’s where communication with your stand-in is essential! You may even like to use Skype, FaceTime or a similar app, so that you can “see” the competition during the auction.

How do you go about organising it?

The first step is to check that phone bids are accepted by the auctioneer, agent and vendor. If they are, you’ll most likely have to register and fill out a form beforehand nominating a stand-in to bid on your behalf. Then it’s simply a matter of nominating someone to bid for you. You may also like to organise your solicitor to be available in the event that yours is the winning bid.

What happens if the property is passed in and you want to negotiate?

If the bids do not meet the seller’s reserve, the property may be passed in or withdrawn from auction. If you are the highest bidder, you’ll have first dibs on negotiating with the seller. Your agent or contact on the other end can do this for you whilst you’re still on the phone, or can pass over the phone to the auctioneer or seller so you can speak with them directly. 

How do you pay the deposit and sign on the dotted line if you succeed? When you fill out the paperwork to nominate your stand-in, you can specify how you’ll pay the deposit on the day if successful (usually 10 per cent of the purchase price). You can authorise the agent or auctioneer to complete a signed blank check, provide a signed bank cheque for 10 per cent of your maximum bid, authorise the stand-in to pay the deposit on your behalf, or transfer the money into the agent’s trust account. 

In terms of the sale contract, you can nominate the authorised bidder or auctioneer to sign on your behalf. Alternatively, you may like to be present and go along to sign once the phone bidding is over, or tee up your solicitor to represent you beforehand. 

Bidding at auction by phone could be a less stressful way of securing your dream home or investment property. It can also be more convenient if you’re not close by. Remember, organising pre-approval on a loan before the auction is vital, so please get in touch. With any luck, you’ll hear those magical words on the big day – “sold to the bidder on the phone!”

Should I buy an investment property now?

To buy an investment property in 2018, or not to buy? With more than 15% of Australian taxpayers owning at least one investment property, it’s a big question on many people’s minds right now. So, what’s the answer?

Last year saw some major curveballs thrown to property investors, which may have left you wondering whether a property investment strategy is the best way forward. These changes included the tightening of controls on banks for investment lending by APRA, particularly for interest-only loans, changes to negative gearing laws, and there was a slowing capital growth trend in some parts of our property market throughout the year. 

But despite these uncertainties, if you are in a good financial position, right now could be a good time to invest in property. Here’s why.

National rents are on the rise

Deciding if an investment property is a viable investment often depends on the rental market for the property. For many investors, this is more important than how quickly the property makes capital gains. The good news is that rental rates are on the rise, according to the latest CoreLogic Rental Report. It found that over the December quarter, all capital cities except Canberra experienced a higher annual increase in rents over the past year, compared to the same period for 2016. The same was true for regional markets. If the rent covers the expenses and generates cash-flow, you should be in a good position to hold on to the property until its capital growth value meets your target for selling.

There is less competition amongst investors

In the past, foreign investors gave a lot of competition to local investors which has tended to drive up prices. Sales in new developments are now capped at 50% to foreign investors – and investors are only permitted to purchase new build properties if they are a permanent resident of Australia. This could potentially leave the market open to opportunity – particularly to those prepared to invest in established homes. What’s more, further penalties may apply to foreign buyers if they leave their investment properties vacant. 

Savvy investors could come out well ahead

If home values in the market you are considering are slowing, you may have more capacity to negotiate the price with the seller and perhaps snap up some bargains. According to CoreLogic, previous downturns have seen the annual number of sales fall by around 20-25% from peak to trough, and with fewer buyers in the market, sellers may be more willing to drop their price. 

Some markets are booming

Just because dwelling values may have declined a little in some markets, it doesn’t necessarily mean this will happen in all of Australia’s property markets. Some locations are still making excellent capital gains – the key is to do your research and find the right property in the right location. Take Tasmania for example – Hobart experienced double-digit value rises last year, ending at +11.5%! 

Keep in mind that lenders are very specific when valuing a property. They make an assessment right down to the suburb, street and house. You should do the same. Consider the capital growth potential and the rental market. 

A fall in prices won’t spell disaster if you get your finances right

Whilst analysts are expecting a general slowdown in national housing market conditions in 2018, the beauty of property investing is that you can usually weather the storm (if there even turns out to be one). Experienced investors know the property market will always fluctuate – so being in control of your finances so you can control when you sell is key. A good loan strategy is just as important as your buying strategy, so talk to us about your finances to ensure you’re in a secure position before you make your next move. 

We can help!

In a softening market, a savvy property investor will take a longer-term approach. It’s important to be aware that if you are taking a short-term approach to property investing, falls in home values are more likely to affect you. If you’re planning to renovate and sell or flip properties quickly, you should be careful about the costs involved. If the value of the property should fall, you could potentially make a loss, so talk with us about these costs before you get started.

As your mortgage broker, we’ll help you crunch the numbers and make informed decisions, then line you up with an investment loan that suits your individual needs. Property investment is still a reliable way to grow wealth – interest rates remain near historical lows and if needed, you can still access competitive interest-only loans with our help, so please get in touch today!

5 Tips to take the stress out of settlement day

You’ve found your dream property, had your offer accepted and the all-important settlement day is the last hurdle to overcome. The anticipation has been building for weeks!

Settlement day can be both exciting and stressful, as sometimes things can go wrong. In this article, we offer some tips about settlement day and explain how we, as your mortgage broker, can help ensure everything goes to plan. But first let’s explain about settlement day and how it all works.

What is settlement day?

Settlement day is the day ownership of a property is legally transferred from one party to another – in other words, the day you get the keys to your new home! There are all sorts of regulations and procedures that must be followed for this to happen, but your conveyancer will take care of the finer details and we’ll work with them to ensure your finance is all set. The actual date of settlement date will be outlined in the Sales Contract – it’s a good idea to discuss the timing with us, your mortgage broker, and get your conveyancer to review the contract before you sign it. If you don’t have a conveyancer, please ask us for a referral.

What happens on settlement day?

By the time settlement day rolls around, you should have undertaken a final inspection of the property, organised building insurance (this should be done as soon as the seller signs the contract) and your conveyancer will have taken you through all the necessary documentation to transfer the property title to you. On the big day, a representative from your home loan provider and your conveyancer will meet with the seller’s representatives – you aren’t required to attend. Your conveyancer will receive the property title and register you as the new owner, cheques will be exchanged, and any government fees and duties paid. Once the paperwork is completed, you will be notified of a successful settlement and then get the keys and officially become the new owner. 

Now for those tips about ensuring settlement day goes smoothly!

Tip #1: See your mortgage broker early

To ensure a hassle free settlement day, it’s important to seek professional advice from experts who understand the process. Talk to us before you start looking for your property, so we can organise pre-approval of your home loan with your preferred lender. It’s also a good idea to talk with us about the property you choose, so we can ensure the lender is happy with the price and value and will grant final loan approval. That way, when it’s time to sign the sales contract, you’ll be confident your finance is secured. We hold your hand and take you through every step right through to settlement and beyond, so you can feel confident that things go smoothly on the day! 

Tip #2: Find a reputable conveyancer

You’ll need a reliable conveyancer to oversee the complex legal requirements and paperwork involved in a property purchase. Among other tasks, your conveyancer will ensure there is enough time between the finance approval date and the nominated settlement date. Ask friends and family for a recommendation and be sure to check the conveyancer’s reviews. We can also offer a referral to a reliable conveyancer if needed.

Tip #3: Negotiate a date that works for you 

It’s important to remember that you have the power to negotiate the settlement period with the seller before signing the contract. Even if you’re buying at auction and the settlement period is in the contract, you may be able to liaise with the seller’s agent to see if the seller would be open to a different date. This could be useful if you’re moving from one home to another and need to plan the timeframe.

The settlement period begins the day the contract is signed and is usually between 30 and 90 days. So, the settlement period should also allow enough time for your finance to go through, searches to be undertaken and paperwork to be completed. Keep in mind that it can take time for your lender to issue and approve the paperwork – so check back with us about a suitable settlement period for your loan. 

Tip #4: Be vigilant about the paperwork (and we will be too!)

There’s often a lot of paperwork involved in a property purchase. If you’re late at returning paperwork to us or you fail to sign a page or tick a box, it may delay loan approval and there may also be issues with settlement if you delay signing documents from your conveyancer. Pay attention to detail when filling out the paperwork and return it as soon as you are asked to by your broker or conveyancer. We have detailed processes to ensure no paperwork gets missed, but it pays to know what you are signing and when at your end as well! 

Tip #5: Enjoy the ride

You’re bound to feel nervous as settlement day approaches. But try not to stress too much and enjoy the process. If you have a team of professionals on your side and you’re properly organised, things are likely to go to plan. Remember, our role as your mortgage and finance broker is to help ensure your settlement day goes smoothly, so please get in touch early in the purchasing process and we’ll be there to help you every step of the way!