It still remains the Great Australian Dream. Your corner of the world, a place to call your own, your own piece of paradise – however you say it, a home remains the ultimate dream for most of us.

It still remains the Great Australian Dream. Your corner of the world, a place to call your own, your own piece of paradise – however you say it, a home remains the ultimate dream for most of us.

But in today’s world of escalating real estate prices and rising interest rates, is this dream still within the average person’s reach?

Thanks to new approaches to housing finance in Australia the answer, is ‘yes’.

My 20 years’ experience in the mortgage and finance industry has taught me that tailoring the right formula is what takes people from imaging to realizing their dream home. This principle is especially poignant for groups with special requirements, such as owner builders.

I believe the key to helping people achieve their housing goal is simple –return control back to borrowers, especially owner-builders.

Through a tailored approach, the borrower is given more hands-on control when building their dream home and is no longer priced out of the housing market.

Owner-builders have more say, from the building process to appointing quality sub-contractors, and all this leads to tremendous savings that can be put towards building a bigger house, maybe better features or just slipped in the back pocket for a rainy day.

A well prepared owner builder has more lender confidence often resulting in increased borrowing power up to 80 per cent of the completed property value.

Preparation and planning are the keys to establishing the right structure if you plan to build. Most lenders will not even consider providing finance to any project if they feel the builder is under-prepared or not qualified.

Owner builders need to show they have the skills or provide the lender with evidence of the right technical support from industry professionals. In a nutshell, the lender is looking for confirmation the owner builder will complete the project on time and within budget.

20 years has shown me that it is possible to save a lot of money if you get the right advice. Groups , such as Home Building System and ourselves at Home Finance Centres have spent a lot of time developing programs and information streams to educate those wanting to owner build. Utilising the experience will be vital to attaining the result you want, and getting the right finance package for your next home.

This experience together with the controls and discounts offered through the Home Building System, Home Finance Centres has recently launched an exclusive Owner Builder Lo Doc loan.

For the first time in Australia self employed and PAYG clients are able to access a Lo Doc Owner Builder construction loan to 80% of the completed valuation.

Approval in principal is available with the completion of a simple application within 4 hours. The loan is subject to the applicant being a full service client Home Building System.

The Home Building System offers access to “trade price” accounts and discounts through some of Australia’s largest building suppliers which can mean savings in excess of $15,000 on materials alone. This together with a total materials estimate and indicative costing of the project, based on capital city pricing, gives the Owner Builder a basis for comparing the costing when quoting their new home. These and other inclusions makes HBS an essential tool for all owner builders at a bargin price with stage one priced at only $2750 including GST for all non financed clients.

Clients requiring finance need to utilise the stage 2 payment control systems and quality inspections during the course of construction. Full clients of HBS receive Quality Inspection during the course of construction taking more of the stress out of building valued at $1500 and included in the price along with a certificate of Quality Completion when the home is finished.

The cost of stage 2 is based on the total cost of the contracts administered by HBS this also includes the provision of all contract required under various states legislation, Occupational health and Safety advice, advice on the environmental resposibilities of your building site and your insurance needs. HBS also handle the negotiation of progress payments with the lender on your behalf.

Home Finance Centres offers a range of products for the Owner Builder from “normal” mortgages through to the NEW LoDoc facility.

For information on Home Building System
Ring 1300 733 730 or darren@hbsaustralia.com.au or visit their website at www.homebuildinsystem.com.au