Life is far too complicated to do everything yourself, especially in the world of property investment. If you are looking to grow your wealth and build a solid property portfolio, it us essential to surround yourself with a team of experts whose advice you can rely on. Not only will it save you money, it will also save you stress and sleepless nights.
The four key players you need on your team are: a financial planner, an accountant, a conveyancer and a trusted mortgage broker.
Financial Planner
Any property portfolio must be built on a solid fiscal foundation. A financial planner will ensure you?ve the correct framework in place ? from life insurance and super schemes, to stocks and savings ? before you start arranging finance.
The Financial Planning Association and The Association of Financial Advisers have websites that will help you find an adviser in your area. Ask your planner for a copy of their financial services guide. This will explain what services they offer, the fees they charge and any banks and financial services companies they work with.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has a great tool on its website that allows you to check a financial adviser?s licence number on its advisers register. It will show you which product areas they are qualified to advise on, their training, any disciplinary actions they?ve incurred and to which industry bodies they belong.
Accountant
To maximise the returns on your property investments, it?s essential to engage the services of a property tax expert. Location isn?t an issue when it comes to your accountant, so you can afford to look further afield than your local neighbourhood to secure the best advice.
Your accountant will be able to structure your property portfolio for better?asset protection; and ensure that you?re claiming all the tax breaks you?re entitled to, including the expenses and depreciations relevant to managing your investment property.
Conveyancer
It?s a good idea to use a conveyancer who is local to the property you?re purchasing. They will have a better knowledge of local authorities and any planned developments in the area that could impact on your investment. The Australian Institute of Conveyancers has a handy search tool on its website, which locates nearby members.
Meet with two or three before you make your choice: discuss your needs, their fees and services and whether you?re likely to incur any extra government charges. Also define your channels of communication: how they will contact you (email or phone) and how regularly.
Mortgage Broker
Your trusted mortgage broker is the hub at the centre of your investment property wheel. Without finance, you?ll not be able to grow your property portfolio. They should understand your long-term goals and financial situation intimately in order to organise a loan to suit your needs.
Make sure they have an Australian Credit Licence and are registered with the Australian Securities and Exchange Commission. Ask about the firm?s history and your broker?s own personal career history. Ideally, a broker will offer loans from a wide variety of lenders, from the Big Four banks and building societies to alternative lenders, who are more flexible in their lending criteria.
With your finance in place, you will then be able to build a successful property portfolio, confident of the support of your dream team of property professionals.
Louisa Sanghera is a Finance Broker for Residential Mortgages, Vehicle and Asset Finance, Commercial Lending and Budgeting and Cashflow Coaching with Zippy Financial.
She has?gained more than 30 years in the Banking and Finance Industry, and since founding Zippy Financial, has become a multi award nominated expert in the field of finance featuring regularly in industry press and speaking at finance and investment seminars across the country.
Website: www.zippyfinancial.com.au?
Email: louisa@zippyfinancial.com.au
Phone: 1300 855 022