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Michael Daniels

Central Coast Mortgage Broker

If you're looking for a trusted mortgage broker on the Central Coast, look no further than Mortgage Choice Central Coast. Our team of experienced brokers is here to help you navigate the complex world of home loans and find the right solution for your needs.

At Mortgage Choice Central Coast, we know that every borrower is different, which is why we take a personalized approach to every loan we work on. We'll take the time to understand your unique needs and goals and work with you to find a loan that meets your specific requirements.

With access to a wide range of lenders and loan programs, we can help you find the best rates and terms for your situation. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, we have the expertise to help you achieve your financial goals.

Our team is committed to providing exceptional customer service and support throughout the entire loan process. We'll keep you informed every step of the way and ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions.

So, if you need a mortgage broker on the Central Coast, look no further than Mortgage Choice Central Coast. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us help you find the right loan solution for your needs.

Market Updates

"Start of Recovery" for Central Coast Houses (March 2024)

The March Herron Todd White "month in review" report is out and the #CentralCoast unit market remains in the "Starting to Recover" stage of the property clock. This is arguably a good time in the cycle to invest. https://htw.com.au/month-in-review/
 
 

"Start of Recovery" for Central Coast Houses (March 2024)

The March Herron Todd White "month in review" report is out, and the #CentralCoast HOUSE market remains in the "Starting to Recover" stage of the property clock. This is arguably a good time in the cycle to invest.
 
Interestingly, the unit and house segments of the Central Coast residential property market are in the same cycle stage. https://htw.com.au/month-in-review/
 

 

Central Coast Houses out-performing Units (March 2024)

Mortgage Choice Erina is part of the REA Group (realestate.com.au), so we can access their PropTrack data.

The above chart (Feb 2024) compares the Central Coast market to the various Sydney and NSW markets.

As you can see, our units and houses have underperformed in most Sydney markets but overperformed in almost all NSW regional markets.

This chart also confirms our data showing that house prices outperform unit prices on the Central Coast. Potentially, the large increase in new unit supply compared to lower land release numbers makes units more affordable.

If you would like to talk to us about your property plans, please give us a call to discuss your options.
 

 

Units vs Houses on the Central Coast (March 2024)

This chart shows that house asking prices are trending higher than unit asking prices.

Units have remained steady for the last two years. House asking prices are now climbing higher after a brief fall.

The 'All Units' data shows the median asking price was $452,842 in March 2020. Four years later, it is $653,752, a 44.80% growth in four years.

The 'All Houses' data shows the median asking price was $774,072 in March 2020. Four years later, it is $1,309,548, a 69.17% growth in four years.

This chart shows that the proportion gap between unit and house prices was steady between 2009 and 2016. Unit prices were roughly 65% of house prices. As of March 2024, unit prices are now 49% of house prices.

We at Mortgage Choice Erina can only speculate why this has happened, but the supply of new houses has been limited, and the supply of units is accelerating. There are also some indicators that Sydney house seekers are being priced out of their market and looking for more affordably pastures on the hashtag#CentralCoast.

Please call us if you would like to discuss your property-buying plans. The property buying process starts with understanding how much you can borrow.

 

Asking Rents continue to rise on the Central Coast (March 2024)

This chart continues our focus on housing affordability. The #CentralCoast is experiencing a rapid rise in asking rents due to a flow of Sydney tenants seeking more affordable housing.
 
Our prior chart showed rental vacancy rates are approaching record lows during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
 
This chart shows the impact of increasing tenant demand and limited rental dwelling supply. Rents are rising rapidly.
 
If you would like to discuss your housing or investment options, please call us at Mortgage Choice Erina.
 
 

Units come into the Central Coast Picture

The extraordinary increase in #CentralCoast house prices over the last five years has shifted our attention to more affordable options. And I'm not talking about Queensland.

Units and townhouses are now in focus, particularly for first-time home buyers, investors (looking for cash-flow-positive options) and downsizers.

First-home buyers in Sydney have always seen units as the obvious entry point into the market. This is now a more common reality for Central Coast first-home buyers.

One of Australia's biggest residential valuation firms, Herron Todd White, produces a monthly infographic that utilises their valuers to estimate the stage of the local property cycle.

The Central Coast unit market moved from the "bottom of the market" to the "start of recovery" phase.

If you would like to discuss purchasing a unit or townhouse, please call me about establishing a pre-approval.

 

 

Big Bank RBA Cash Rate Forecasts (March 2024)

The big bank research teams occasionally provide us with their RBA cash rate forecasts. We have listed their most recent opinions below:
 
CBA (08/03/24): "We don't anticipate any further increases to the cash rate in this cycle". "Our central scenario sees the RBA commencing an easing cycle in September 2024".
 
WESTPAC (11/03/24) - The current forecast is a 0.50% reduction by the end of 2024.
 
NAB (06/03/24): "Today’s result does not have large implications for the RBA, and NAB continues to see it on hold until November."
 
Please note that these are only predictions and are subject to regular changes.
 
The ASX futures implied yield curve also predicts a gradual reduction in the RBA's cash rate (see the 11/03/24 chart below).
 
Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email if you would like to review your mortgage or your property plans.
 
 

Compare your Interest Rate (February 2024)

Our Mortgage Choice Erina interest rate chart has been updated for February 2024.

We recommend you compare your mortgage interest rate to this chart and call us if your rate looks too high. 

Central Coast Rental Vacancy Rates (April 2023)
This chart showing the Central Coast residential investment property vacancy rate is very interesting.
 
Rental Vacancy rates are a result that we often quote to our customers here at Mortgage Choice Erina. This statistic gives us a window into supply and demand volumes that are so important to property investors.
 
As you can see from this chart, the beginning of Covid in early 2020 saw the Central Coast rental stock fill up. Less than 1% of our rental properties were vacant. A similar sudden scarcity of rental properties occurred in 2009, which may have been the result of the GFC at that time.
 
Now that Covid is well behind us, rental vacancy levels have risen quite sharply, we suspect that some of the Sydney demand is heading south.
 
If you would like to discuss the implications of these and other market changes to your plans, please give us a call.
 
 

Central Coast Rental Vacancy Rates (April 2023)

This chart showing the Central Coast residential investment property vacancy rate is very interesting.
 
Rental Vacancy rates are a result that we often quote to our customers here at Mortgage Choice Erina. This statistic gives us a window into supply and demand volumes that are so important to property investors.
 
As you can see from this chart, the beginning of Covid in early 2020 saw the Central Coast rental stock fill up. Less than 1% of our rental properties were vacant. A similar sudden scarcity of rental properties occurred in 2009, which may have been the result of the GFC at that time.
 
Now that Covid is well behind us, rental vacancy levels have risen quite sharply, we suspect that some of the Sydney demand is heading south.
 
If you would like to discuss the implications of these and other market changes to your plans, please give us a call.
 
 

Average Big 4 Bank interest rate chart (April 2023)

Our "Mortgage Choice Erina" monthly average interest rate chart has been updated for April 2023.

As you can see, the average 3-year fixed rate and the average 5-year fixed rate have stabilised and even slightly reduced.

The massive increase in variable interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia is hopefully coming to an end very soon.

Most of the major bank economists are predicting one or two more 0.25% increases, however, the ASX futures market is predicting that we may have peaked.

Our Central Coast economy would benefit enormously if people ensure they are not paying too much to the banks. The money being wasted on high-interest rates could be better spent in our local economy.

If you would like to take a look at your interest rates please contact us for a review.

 

The Herron Todd White Property Clock (March 2023)

The March Property Clock from Herron Todd White, the national valuation firm, shows very little change compared to the February results. The only change was Coffs Harbour moving from "Starting to Decline" to "Declining Market". The Central Coast house market is said to be in the "Starting to Decline" section. 
 
 

 

Central Coast Gross Rental Yields (March 2023)

One of the most important ratios for a Central Coast property investor to consider is the GROSS RENTAL YIELD.

This is simply the annual rent of a property expressed as a percentage of the property value. We are used to using this ratio for investments like Term Deposits. We express the annual cash income as a percentage of the cash deposit.

This chart is very important for Central Coast investors.

Some interesting Mortgage Choice Erina observations:

1. The highest Gross Rental Yield for 2-bedroom units was 5.7% in December 2019 (right before Covid).

2. The current 2-bedroom unit Gross annual rental yield is currently 4.20%.

3. The highest Gross annual rental yield for all houses was 4.7% back in January 2012.

4. The current gross annual rental yield for all Central Coast houses is only 3%.

Interestingly, whilst gross rents rose significantly since the start of Covid, property prices rose faster, this saw the gross annual rental yield slightly decline for both units and houses.

The current trend appears to show a gradual recovery of gross annual rental yields, despite rent amounts remaining stable.

Please give us a call if you would like to talk about your investment options.

As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. 

 

Central Coast Median House Price (December 2022)

The worm is turning.

As you can see from the chart below. Our Mortgage Choice Erina median house price chart for the Central Coast of NSW is showing a reduction.

The median house price has reduced from the peak of $1,052,654 (August 2023) to $1,029,958 (December 2023). It would be hard to imagine these house prices not reducing further over the coming months as interest rates continue to rise, reducing borrowers' access to funding.

Although house prices are starting to reduce, they are still at historically high levels. Now is the time to use these higher valuations in your favour.

If your debt is relatively low compared to these higher prices, we might be able to use this equity position to negotiate a better interest rate. Please send us an email if you would like us to investigate this option.

Central Coast House Prices - May 2023

Our Central Coast house price results are out for May 2023.

Whilst the median house price dropped from $955,202 to $951,420, the rate of decline has slowed this month. The drop from March to April was almost $20,000.

This median house price level was last seen back in December 2021. Amazingly, only 18 months prior to this date, the median house price was $300,000 lower. To put this into mortgage perspective, an additional $300,000 in borrowings would have a weekly repayment of $415, based on a 6% interest rate over a 30-year loan term.

The ranked table below shows 20 Central Coast suburbs with the highest number of houses. We have shown you the median house prices from January to May. As you can see, the trend is heading down for every suburb on this list. Although, some have fallen quite a lot more than others.

As always, we encourage you to call or email us if you have any questions at all.

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