In the Market with Nikki Nielsen
Using a Mortgage Broker can not only save you money but also provide peace-of-mind. Deb Caruso asks local mortgage broker Nikki Nielsen about the process and benefits of using a broker, and what the market is looking for right now.
Tell us about yourself and how you got into this business.
Throughout my career I have always been connected with the property market. I’ve done a number of my own builds and renovations, worked as a real estate agent and also worked for a high end residential building company.
My mum was a local real estate agent in Noosa, so I think the foundations were always set from a young age. I absolutely love working with people and assisting them in achieving their long term property goals. My passion and dedication to assisting people is always front of mind in every interaction and the longevity of our relationship is key to our joint success.
What is a mortgage broker?
A mortgage broker is someone who holds relationships with all lenders. So when you come to see us, we are looking for your best deal across multiple lenders. In my case, I have over 60 lenders on our panel which means that I can find you the best deal based on your specific needs.
As a mortgage broker we are governed by BID (Best Interest Duty). We are obligated to work in YOUR best interest.
So, rather than walking into one bank and only being sold their products, we look at multiple products from a multitude of lenders. This was one of the recommendations made recently by the Royal Commission.
The bonus for you as the customer is that we are a free service to you! You can rest assured that our cost is not added to your loan.
My customers are my priority, given the volatility in the market, I am constantly staying on top of market conditions and acting proactively in my clients best interests.
My job is to service YOU, the customer to make sure you prosper. If not, we chat and come up with other options.
What should people look for in a mortgage broker?
I think it’s important to have a broker who is knowledgeable of the market, engaged, eager to assist and knows exactly what your goals are.
There is a next generation of creative brokers, that look for innovative and practical ways of financing.
As part of that, I am determined to work harder for you, especially if your situation is not straightforward.
Find a broker who understands you, and that you want to work with.
At the end of the day, a broker should be your partner in finance for a very long time, so find someone you trust and want to do business with.
At what stage in the buying process should people come and see you?
As early as possible. We can assess your situation and if you’re not yet ready to buy, we can set you on the right path to then have you in a position to apply when you’re ready.
If you are wanting to purchase, then you can always get a Pre-approval – this is where you are fully assessed prior to buying so that you know where you stand and what your budget is. Pre-approvals are generally valid for 60-90 days, dependent on the lender.
What do people need to have ready before seeing a mortgage broker?
Firstly your plan – know what you want to achieve. You should also know what you have as a deposit, which can be genuine savings or gifted funds. Even proof of you renting can be used towards genuine savings.
Then just sit back and let us do all the hard work for you.
What are we seeing in the market right now?
So many first home buyers – I love this! I genuinely love working with first home buyers, I love all their questions and the opportunity to support them
In some cases, I even assist in contract negotiations. I want first home buyers to feel comfortable and know I’ve got their back.
There is also an increase in refinancing and debt consolidation where people may have a mortgage, car loan and a credit card so rolling these debts into your home loan can, in most cases, save yourself hundreds of dollars per month.
Also by refinancing you can start your loan term again. This can reduce your monthly repayments, it isn’t for everyone, but does work well for some clients.
Visit Loan Market for more information.
Disclaimer: The information in this story is generic in nature. Individuals should seek their own advice that pertains to their specific needs.
