Financial Goals Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Holzworth Partners

5 Sep 2023

What is a SMSF?

Take greater control of your retirement savings through a self-managed super fund (SMSF). An SMSF empowers you to oversee how your super is invested. This approach has gained popularity as a retirement savings method. Before transitioning to an SMSF, it's crucial to understand the administrative and compliance requirements associated with it. The information below provides insights into managing your SMSF effectively. What is an SMSF? An SMSF is a trust that manages funds or assets

23 Aug 2023

What is the latest insight on interest rates? Is there relief in sight or only more pain?

By Mark Holzworth

Australian banks announced big profits over the past several weeks, and have been roundly criticised by many believing the fees charged (including interest rates) are excessive. What is not well known is that banks have passed on only 2.73% of the RBA’s (Reserve Bank of Australia) 4.00% rate increases since early 2022 as at June 2023. This has actually been a cushioning effect for borrowers. Banks have been competing aggressively and on average have not

13 Jul 2023

WHAT IF??

By Jane Purnell

In the past few years, we have encountered numerous challenging situations, such as the global pandemic of CoVid 19, which has caused uncertainty in various aspects of our lives. Our lifestyles have been disrupted, housing has become more uncertain, and the cost of living has continued to rise. These circumstances have forced us to confront an important question: What would happen to our personal and financial affairs if we were unable or incapable of making

13 Jul 2023

ESG (environmental, social impact and good governance) Investing – What is it, should you do it, and how to do it?

By Jane Purnell

There is increasing talk about the type of investing which considers environmental, social impact, and good governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. To understand if it is all just hype or whether its an important part of the future of investment let’s explore the topic. What is it? ESG factors can include things like a businesses' carbon emissions, its labour practices, and its board diversity. There are a number of reasons why investors might

4 Jul 2023

Pace is Gaining in Housing Market Recovery

By Jane Purnell

The national Home Value Index (HVI) assembled by CoreLogic has recorded a third consecutive monthly rise. The index captured continued growth in May of 1.2%, helped by low levels of available housing supply as owners continued to hold properties. By comparison, home values for March and April grew 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Notwithstanding the high uptick in price recovery, most housing markets across the country were still recording values well below their recent peaks. The

1 Jun 2023

Queensland eConveyancing Mandate in 2023

By Jane Purnell

Electronic conveyancing (or eConveyancing) is mandatory in Queensland from 20 February 2023. This means that certain instruments and other documents for property transactions will need to be digitally prepared, signed, settled and lodged using an Electronic Lodgement Network (ELN), by a subscriber, unless exempted. This includes transfers, mortgages, caveats (new, withdrawal), priority notices, and transmission by death. Under the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (Queensland), the Registrar of Titles can determine the requirements for Electronic Lodgment

4 May 2023

Does the latest house price data point to recovery?

By Jane Purnell

Entering the market now presents an opportunity to acquire investmentproperty prior to any price rises. 2022 delivered a year’s worth of price declines.However, the opening months of 2023 have brought hope of a property market recovery. Values have stabilised, auction clearance rates are up and motivated buyers have been active. Experts are predicting value growth in major markets over the next two years. Demand has recovered and places a floor under prices A lack of

4 May 2023

Direct property among the best performing asset classes of 2022

By Jane Purnell

Only two asset classes achieved returns greater than 10% in the past year. It was deemed as the worst annual period in the past 20 years for many asset classes, says IndexInvest investment managers. The best performances came from direct property and commodities which returned 11% and 17% respectively in 2022. It is worth noting direct property was the best performer of all asset classes over the past 20 years, returning an average 10.2% annually

4 May 2023

Why the role of property in portfolios is expected to increase even further in 2023 according to ‘Indexinvest’ investment managers

By Jane Purnell

By Jane Purnell After a period of strong capital gains across all asset classes, the current decade would be more likely to see a far lower contribution of total return (which includes capital growth and income), given the established relationships between interest rates, inflation, leading economic indicators and corporate earnings which signalled falling profitability in the second half of 2023 and beyond, according to IndexInvest Investment Director Mark Holzworth. To further explain, Talaria Asset Management

11 Mar 2023

Does your fixed-rate expire soon?

By Jane Purnell

While it may seem like a distant memory now, two years ago home loan rates were being lowered everywhere. Locking in your mortgage rate was an excellent opportunity for many people. Since then there has been a significant shift in the interest rate landscape, with mortgage rates broadly following the perpendicular path of the official cash rate. As a result, homeowners who fixed a portion of or all of their loan during 2020 or 2021