Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Mortgage stress is rising

Stress builds

The good news is that 80 per cent of the 'fixed rate cliff' has essentially now passed.

The not-quite-so-good news is that interest rate hikes are not a one-time thing...the new higher mortgage repayments are recurring, and the stress is now beginning to build.

From Westpac's investor pack this week the cumulative effects are becoming apparent.

1.22 per cent of TCE versus a prior year comparative of 1.06 per cent, with more to come. 


It's not entirely surprising that stressed exposures are rising, of course, given the brutal increases in interest rates, but now we're starting to see this show up in actual mortgage delinquencies. 


Source: Westpac

This is concerning, as the line is only going up from here, and the situation is worse for some of the non-bank lenders.  

Consumers are getting beaten up, and this is further evidence that Australia's monetary policy is much swifter and more effective than in other countries where fixed rate mortgages tend to proliferate.

---

There's been stacks of spirited debate about upzoning Australian cities...something we discussed in some detail on the podcast this week.

But could this simply be a precursor to even faster immigration over the long run? 

I don't know the answer to that, but it's quite possible. 

Have a listen here.


---

P.S. Whenever you’re ready…here are 5 ways I can help you manage your own money and go next level wealth:

  1. Boom or Bust – 20 minute online workshop for investors

Register for my next free online training - Boom or Bust? How to change your investment plan - book in here

You also download a free copy of my e-book The Only 6 Ways to Become Wealthy here.

    2. Download our property buying guide

Download our free property buying guide here

You can also check out a few of our recent property investment purchases here

Get in contact with us today if strategic property investment is your thing. 

    3. Subscribe to our Top 10 Podcasts for Investors

Listen in to our podcasts

The Australian Property Podcast is one of Australia's biggest business podcasts.

And our enormously popular Low Rates High Returns Show also remains available on Spotify.

    4. Subscribe for my free daily blog

Subscribe for my free daily blog with well over 3.5 million hits here

You can also catch up with me daily on Twitter here, where I'm active daily and have over 13,500 followers. 

By the way, I'm a 7-times published author on finance and investing, so you can check out some of my books here

    5. Work with me privately

For a limited time you can book in a free diagnosis call with me here, so book in a call today.