Success is a term often misunderstood. One can be successful with money but empty in other areas of their life. The best statement I have ever come across is this... "success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure" - Tony Robbins (renowned coach and entrepreneur). As we count down the final days of this very strange year, I thought it was timely to reflect on 2020 and the key lessons we can all take away from it.
Earlier this week the Victorian government announced an investment of over $293 million to fund a stamp duty concession of up to 50% for home purchases up to $1 million. This of course is a positive step for our property markets, but like any government initiative there will be winners and there will be losers. Let me explain...
A double dose of positive news has been announced for the Melbourne property market that is likely to prove once again that timing the market can be costly. Last Friday Treasurer Frydenberg was vocal about proposing significant changes to responsible lender laws to make it easier for qualified borrowers to access credit. And last Sunday, Premier Andrews re-opened the Melbourne property market by allowing private inspections during stage 4 lockdown. I see both these positive announcements as "the calm before the storm"... let me explain...
Life is a journey - sometimes positive sometimes negative - it's certainly not a straight line. Right now many people are feeling flat, having been whacked with COVID-19 - with many feeling financial pressure like never before. It's important to keep perspective and realise that your current situation is not permanent. As humans we all share a common valuable resource - time. You have 'time' to get things back on track no matter what age. Let me explain...
For many of us stage 4 lockdown seems like a prison sentence as we have been stripped from our freedom. During these difficult times, it's important to maintain perspective and understand that the only parts you truly have control over are your attitude, your mindset, and your actions - as the rest is out of your control. In order to get through this unprecedented event and come out of it with more focus and direction, I have come up with a list of 7 things you can do during the 6 week lockdown period. I hope it helps you in some way.
Stage 4 lockdown is here with thousands of businesses and industries adversely impacted as well as hundreds of thousands more Melburnians unemployed as a result. The question many are asking right now is how stage 4 lockdown will impact the Melbourne property market and what the rules of play are. To address this point, I want to share with you a very good blog I read this morning which addresses this question - written by Michael Yardney (Director of Metropole Property Strategists and best-selling author of 8 books).
Last month the federal government announced yet another lifeline to the tune of $688million to stimulate our economy as a result of the ongoing damage COVID19 is causing to our economy. A $25k cash grant is a reasonable handout for anyone building their new home or substantially renovating their existing home. The grant is designed to stimulate jobs for the trades and the construction industry. The question is, will this new government initiative benefit you or is it a trap for some? Here are my thoughts...
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a term often misunderstood. As a general rule, LMI is triggered when borrowing in excess of 80% of purchase price or bank valuation. The cost of LMI can be huge as it adds significant cost when buying property, however if you are employed in a certain profession, you may be one of the lucky ones to avoid paying for it.
Right now you will be forgiven for thinking that the roof will cave in if you buy a residential property, as the value may plummet. After all, some headlines are currently suggesting that property prices in Australia will drop by as much as 30% (or more) resulting from COVID-19. So what do you do? It's the million dollar question isn't it? Here's what I think...
There is no doubt that COVID-19 will be remembered as a lifetime event that changed the world forever. This unprecedented pandemic continues to destroy many families with the death toll rising daily, and crippling the global economy at large. Just like any other crisis that has come and gone, there are lessons we can all take away from it.
