10 Things You Need to Know About Deposit Bonds

Are you looking at buying a property but worried about having the cash handy for a deposit? You could consider a deposit bond.

A deposit bond is a financial agreement that can be used in place of a cash deposit when purchasing a property, guaranteeing to the seller that the buyer will pay the full deposit at a later date.

Deposit bonds are used instead of cash to pay a deposit on a property. If you decide to use a deposit bond, you will pay the purchase price, plus the deposit and stamp duty at settlement.

Here are 10 things you need to know about deposit bonds:

1. Vendor Approval Is Essential

Before lodging your application, it’s crucial that you seek approval from the vendor/real estate agent to use a deposit bond to purchase the property, instead of a cash deposit.

 

2. Eligibility Requirements Must Be Met

To be eligible for a deposit bond:

• You must have a formal finance approval; or
• You must have at least a pre-approval that’s subject to valuation only; or
• If you’re selling a property and funds from the proceeds of the sale are enough to purchase your new property outright, then you are eligible.

If none of the above applies to you, please talk to one of our specialist mortgage brokers.

 

3. The Cost Of Deposit Bonds Vary

The cost of a deposit bond depends on the value of the property and the length of time to settlement.

If you were to purchase a home for $500,000 and need a 10% deposit of $50,000. It would cost you around $600 for a deposit bond. If you’d like a rough estimate, contact our specialist mortgage brokers.

 

4. Deposit Bonds and Bank Guarantees Are Different

A deposit bond and a bank guarantee are similar in that they provide a guarantee to the vendor that the purchaser will pay the deposit at settlement. However, there are some key differences that you should consider before making a decision.

Security – Deposit bonds are unsecured, and bank guarantees are secured.

Although deposit bonds require an eligibility assessment to ensure you have the financial capacity to settle on your purchase, they are unsecured. Whereas bank guarantees are secured and require real estate or cash security to release.

Cost – Deposit bonds have a one-off fee, but bank guarantees have higher set up and ongoing costs.

Time – Deposit bonds are usually faster to obtain than a bank guarantee, as they require less paperwork and have a simple application process.

 

5. Time Needed For A Deposit Bond When You Have An Off The Plan Purchase

Most of time, when you buy an off the plan purchase a deposit bond is issued up to the ‘sunset clause’ date. A sunset clause date is found in your contract of sale and allows the vendor or purchaser to rescind the contract if the title of the property has not been created by a specific date.

 

6. First Home Buyers Are Eligible

As a First Home Buyer, you can obtain a deposit bond if you:

• Already have formal approval for your finance through a family guarantor loan, and
• Your property settles within six months.

If settlement is more than six months or you don’t have finance approval, your guarantor will need to apply with you for your deposit bond. You or your guarantor will need to have a property with the equity to release a deposit bond. This is to ensure the guarantor can pay back the deposit bond amount in the unlikely event of a claim on your bond.

 

7. No Repayments

If you use a deposit bond, you never actually pay back the deposit unless there is a claim. Its purpose is to provide reassurance to the vendor that you have sufficient funds to complete the purchase at settlement. Therefore, at settlement, you will pay the purchase price, plus the deposit and stamp duty.

The only cost involved is the deposit bond fee, which is provided to the lender up front.

 

8. No Interest Payments

No interest payments are required, besides the one-off deposit bond fee.

 

9. Deposit Bonds Can Be Issued Within 4-48 Hours

Once the lender has received your signed application with the bond fee payment, your deposit bond can be approved and issued within 4 to 48 hours. Once approved, the bond deposit is released immediately. The Hrkac Group typically have your deposit bond ready in less than one business hour!

 

10. The Best Way To Obtain A Deposit Bond Is Through A Mortgage Broker

The Hrkac Group make it easy to apply for a deposit bond. Contact our team and we will work with your deposit bond provider on your behalf, so you don’t need to add another thing to your list.

The supporting documents you need will depend on your application type, so we’ll tell you exactly what you need to provide. Then, when the application is ready, we’ll send it to you for electronic signing. It’s as easy as that!

If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this blog, feel free to contact our specialist mortgage brokers, who will provide a personalised and custom service based on your individual circumstances.

 

 

H G Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 25 123 478 907 is a Corporate Authorised Representative no.401592 of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd
Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007
AFSL 449221
FSG – www.centrepointalliance.com.au/fsg/aw

There’s a lot of talk about growing wealth and protecting assets when it comes to financial advice, but do you really know what that means?

When you engage a Financial Advisor, you expect them to give you advice on how to make your money work for you. Whilst this is true, it’s a broad description and doesn’t cover the nitty gritty of what they can do for you and your future.

Like anything, you are paying a Financial Advisor for their experience and knowledge, and ability to assist you in meeting your goals and ultimately leave you in a better position.

We all have goals to achieve; whether it’s buying your first house, retiring in style, paying debts or investing for long-term gain, Financial Advisors are here to help you manage your money, assets and expectations so you can plan for the future lifestyle you pictured.

 

So, what do financial advisors actually do?

For Superannuation

As we’ve written about previously, the second best time to start planning your retirement is now, so with that in mind when it comes to Superannuation a Financial Advisor does many things to help you, well before retirement:

• Choosing a super fund
• Investing your super
• Organising insurance through your super
• Contributing to your super
• Implementing tax effective strategies

Throughout your working life, you will accrue super to help you later in life when you no longer can (or want) to work. This money will be invested and continue to grow as you work, setting you up for the future.

Choosing the right super fund for you can be daunting, do I go for a Retail fund or an Industry fund or a SMSF? Can I choose where the money is being invested? Do I need to make personal contributions? All these questions can be answered by a Financial Advisor once they have gotten to know you and assessed your future goals.

Financial Advisors add value to your Superannuation by using their experience to educate you on the ins and outs of Superannuation, making sure that your individual set up is in alignment with what you want to achieve.

Financial Advisors will help you get involved early so that you can achieve your retirement lifestyle goals.

For Retirement Planning

As you approach retirement and the vision of your future comes more into focus, it might not look as you had pictured. If this is the case a Financial Advisor can help you to:

• Determined your retirement income needs
• Maximise super contributions
• Ensure you’re invested appropriately
• Regain control
• Or transition into retirement early

For those whose retirement is fast approaching, Financial Advisors can help you to figure out how much income you’ll need to generate from your Superannuation throughout retirement, to fulfil your lifestyle. If things aren’t aligning, they can take you through any adjustments that need to be made in order to bring you closer to your goals.

Not only do Financial Advisors look at whether you’ll have enough to sustain your lifestyle, they also provide you with the reassurance you need to reduce the stress of retiring and give you back control of your future.

For Post-Retirement Income Strategies

After retirement, your money doesn’t stop working for you. Although you are accessing your Superannuation, the funds continue to be invested and grow with you so, it’s important that they are monitored and adjusted on an ongoing basis – this is where Financial Advisors can help.

It’s not just Superannuation that can assist you in funding your retirement either. There are many income generating investments that can be utilised to build your bespoke retirement income plan, such as managed funds and annuities. A Financial Advisor can ensure that your entire financial position is incorporated to provide you with the best possible outcome to support you throughout retirement.

For Insurances

Often a daunting topic, Financial Advisors are well versed in which insurances are available to you through you Superannuation, or directly, and how to best to structure them. If you don’t know what insurances you might have, or even what you might need, Advisors will assess your situation and help you understand the levels of cover that you need in order to protect yourself and your family if the unexpected should happen. The types of insurance cover that should be considered are:

• Life
• Total and Permanent Disability
• Trauma
• Income Protection

Unfortunately, not all cover is made equal and with so many provider options, it is easy to settle for an insurance policy that may not give you what you and your family need. A Financial Advisor will undertake a full assessment of your personal situation, and recommend the right comprehensive cover for you.

For Personal Investments

So, you’ve got savings in the bank and you know that property is an option, but you’re wondering what else is out there to invest your money in for a good future return?

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to investment options:

• What do you want to achieve?
• How long do you want to invest for?
• How much risk do you want to take?
• Are you looking for tax effective investments?
• Do you have specific ethical preferences?
• Are you more cost conscious?

There are many investment options available, and each serve a different purpose. Whether it’s shares or ETF’s, managed funds or bonds, a Financial Advisor will have the skills and knowledge to recommend an investment strategy to achieve your goals.

So, do you need a Financial Advisor?

Planning for your future involves a lot more than writing down your financial goals and wishing they will come true. Creating a financial plan is all about making your money work effectively, by choosing the right strategies for your individual circumstances.

Daunting as it is, Financial Advisors are here to give you the tools you need meet your goals and take control of your financial future. Here at the Hrkac Group, we are a team of experienced, capable and respected advisors who are passionate about educating you on the strategies and options available to get the best possible outcome for you.

Why use Hrkac Group’s Financial Advisors?

Our Financial Planning team are here to bring you value through their experience and wealth of knowledge. They are here to educate you on how to make your money work for you and achieve the goals you’ve set together.

The team of experienced advisors will use the initial meeting to get to know you, do a deep dive to assess your situation and help you to realise your financial goals.

Once your goals are in place, they will create a bespoke financial plan that will leave you with the best possible outcome. But the process does not end here, you can feel assured that our team of advisors will monitor your financial plan closely and ensure that it continues to meet your goals at each annual review, so that you’re free to live your life with a little less stress.

Find out more information about our Financial Advice services here.

Contact us today to start your Financial Planning journey: email or phone 03 5221 2355.

H G Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 25 123 478 907 is a Corporate Authorised Representative no.401592 of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd
Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 93 161 647 007
AFSL 449221
FSG – www.centrepointalliance.com.au/fsg/aw

New Year resolutions come in many shapes and sizes and range from the really challenging – I am going to get fit, healthy, drink less, lose weight – through to the less strenuous – stop watching reality TV, meditate more, read some good books, or take a break from Facebook.

For most of us, we are lucky if our New Year resolutions last more than a couple of weeks, at the most. Then, we fall back into our old ways. Sound familiar? This year, being a brand-new year and the start of the “20’s”, we would like to encourage you to spend some time to get your “super” sorted. While superannuation is about as exciting as spending a Saturday night sharpening lawn mower blades, or tidying the underwear drawer, there can be some real financial benefits in getting your super in order.

How do we get our super sorted out in the most painless way?

We all have super. And, for many people, we like our super so much we have multiple accounts! The problem is we lose track of those accounts and don’t really know what we have, where it is, or how much we have saved. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) reports that as at 30 June 2019 there was almost $20.8 billion of lost and unclaimed super, spread over 2.8 million separate accounts. That’s a lot of money currently sitting with the ATO. Now, contrary to what you might think, the ATO is keen to reunite all that lost and unclaimed super with its rightful owners.

How did we lose our super in the first place?

Well, we move around a lot. We change address, we change jobs, and we forget to tell our super fund where they can find us. And, even when they try to get in touch by email, we probably tend to ignore those emails any way. Each time we change jobs, it can seem easier to get our new company to deposit super contributions into their “default” fund. As a result, we end up with multiple accounts with a variety of different super funds. After a while, if our super fund cannot find us, our super becomes “lost” and it is transferred to the ATO.

What can we do?

Most of us will now have a “My Gov” account. If you don’t have one, then it is time to get one. This is the way the government wants us to access government services like the ATO, Medicare, and Centrelink. Within your MyGov account, if you select the ATO service you will find an option called “super”. Within that “super” option, you can select “fund details”. Once there, it will show the details of each super account you have. You can even manage your funds from here, including the ability to combine all your super accounts into one if you wish. Doing so may help save on the fees for owning multiple super funds. However, before consolidating your super, make sure to check that you are not losing valuable benefits like insurance. Talk to a financial planner and have them check out the insurance you have or, at the very least, call up each super fund and ask then to let you have details of your insurances.

How much lost super do you think the ATO might be holding for you?

Superannuation is going to become more important as we age. Living a life that is solely supported by the age pension is not going to deliver the lifestyle that many aspire to for their retirement. Now is the time to take control of your super and start to make some progress in adding to your eventual retirement nest-egg.

Take control of your Super this year. Talk to our Financial Planners to get started – contact us here.

HG Financial Services – Corporate Authorised Representative 401592 of Alliance Wealth Pty Ltd  ABN: 93 161 647 007 AFSL: 449221

The information provided is general advice only has not taken into account your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. This publication should be viewed as an additional resource, not as your sole source of information. Where you are considering the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure for the relevant product before you make any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. It is imperative that you seek advice from a registered professional financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

What would you do if a key employee was to injure themselves at work or suffer serious illness and is unable to work? How do you protect your business income?

Our dedicated Financial Services team are pleased to be able to now offer clients Key Person Income Protection Insurance.

This insurance has the ability to replace the income that would have been generated by yourself or a key employee.

This can assist in many ways especially in terms of saving you from the potential of losing clients or forfeiting contracts. All without disrupting your business operations.

What could be more beneficial than protecting your business income?

Get in today to see one of our Financial Services team members who are eager to work with you to protect your business.

Please Contact Us via e-mail or phone 03 5221 2355.

How Our Financial Planners Geelong Can Help You Have a Better Life

Why do we need a financial planner? Put simply, to have a better life. We either navigate our way through our own finances to work out the best way to achieve this or, we employ professional financial planners who are qualified, trained and well versed in the best ways to plan for your future. And your financial planners Geelong are the HRKAC team.

A recent Forbes article aptly stated that the real point of good financial planning “isn’t to have more money, but a better life”. This sentiment rings true as we work towards a work/life balance that is possibly the best reward at the end of the day.

Your financial plan must be a plan that fits in with where you are in your life. It must be structured around where you are placed now financially as well as working towards you obtaining the goals you seek. Our Geelong financial planners will work with you to discuss more than just the numbers. We want to know who you are, what you want and why. This is how we work with you to achieve the number on aim of us all – a better life.

Geelong’s Financial Planning Specialists

The problem with most accountants is… they’re just accountants. And by that we don’t mean JUST accountants – we mean they only provide accounting services – nothing else.

Everyone, no matter whether you’re in business or an individual, should not see accounting as their only form of financial management.

Most of us have an accountant because most of us pay taxes and need to submit our tax returns to the ATO. But unfortunately, not everyone has a good Geelong accountant AND a financial planner, whose role is to help you achieve your future financial goals, not just go over what’s happened in the past year.

That’s the major strength of our organisation. The HRKAC Group can assist you with accounting services such as financial recording, taxation returns, and tax planning – and we can also assist you in thinking about your financial future with the help of our qualified, professional financial planners.

There are many investment strategies available for our clients regardless of their level of income because financial planning isn’t just for those with a lot of money sitting in the bank, it’s also about giving people on modest incomes strategies to get financially ahead for a brighter future.

So instead of just looking at your financial past, why not look at your financial future with the Geelong financial planners at the HRKAC Group.