Do You Have a High Net Worth and are Too Busy to Save Money?
High net worth borrowers generally earn more than they spend, which is obviously a great thing – but it can also be a double-edged sword.
Why? Because it can impact your ability to get finance.
- Find yourself complaining that you never have enough time?
- Does your ‘To Do’ list grows every day, but you barely seem to tick things off?
- Are you running between work, gym, family and other commitments like a hamster in a wheel?
If any of this sounds familiar, you could benefit from having a broker help you get your finances and loans organised.
Why Do High-Income Earners Need Help to Get a Home Loan?
Borrowers with high incomes can find themselves spending more than they need to because they can afford a home loan.
They don’t need to check how much they’re paying for their internet service or shop for the cheapest groceries because their budget can afford it.
An extra $20 here and $50 there isn’t worth worrying about for you, the way it might be for someone living week-to-week on lower wages.
Where this can cause problems is when you want to apply for finance.
In fact, high-income earners can have a lot more trouble than they thought they would when they try to secure finance.
This is because with a high income comes high disposable expenditure – something banks don’t like at all.
So, What Can You Do About It?
The first step is to work out what you’re spending right now, and if that amount could be considered “too much” in the eyes of the bank.
But What’s “Too Much”?
Here’s the thing: lenders generally assess your spending using Household Expenditure Measure (HEM). This formula gives the lender an amount as a guide that the average person spends…
- In your location (the HEM varies depending on the city you live in)
- With your family size (it changes based on how many kids you have)
- Your income (lenders assume a higher income means higher spending)
By figuring out how much it should cost you to live, the lender can look at your salary and determine how much you’ll have leftover to service the loan.
Lenders assess your spending against the HEM, and if your spending is way higher than the HEM guidelines, it can show up red flags.
Let’s say, for instance, you’re a couple with one child living in Sydney, and you earn $250,000 combined.
The HEM threshold might suggest spending of around $5,000 per month. But your actual spend is $9,000 per month.
The lender might view your spending habits as reckless, as they exceed the HEM by a large margin… and that’s not someone they want to loan hundreds of thousands of dollars to.
This Is Where an Experienced Mortgage Broker Can Help.
- We can help you adjust your spending habits, to become a little more lender-friendly.
Don’t worry, you won’t be living on baked beans and toast. But you may need to reign in some of those recurring, non-essential expenses for a few months, so we can help you produce bank statements that reassure your lender you’re a good ‘credit risk’.
- We help you restructure your debt.
You might also have large credit card limits thanks to your income, which we may need to reduce. Many people don’t realise, but even if you only owe $100 on a $20,000 card, the lender will assess this card as though it’s fully maxed out – bringing down your borrowing capacity. You can always bump the limit back up again down the track if you need access to more credit.
- We help you find the best lender for your specific situation.
Every lender has a different loan policy, criteria and appetite for risk. As experienced mortgage brokers, we can assess your situation and help match you with a lender who will be most likely to approve your loan, as their policies suit your situation.
For every problem, there is a solution, and with our depth of knowledge and experience, we can help you move through these obstacles and become "finance ready”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do high-income earners face challenges in securing finance?
High-income earners often have high disposable incomes, leading to higher spending habits. This can be a red flag for banks, especially if spending significantly exceeds the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) guidelines.
What is the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM)?
HEM is a benchmark used by lenders to estimate a borrower's living expenses. It varies based on location, family size, and income, helping lenders determine how much a borrower can afford to repay.
What role does a mortgage broker play for high-income earners?
A mortgage broker can help high-income earners restructure their debts, negotiate with lenders, and find the best loan options that suit their financial situation.
How can high-income earners adjust their spending habits?
They can start by reviewing their monthly expenses, identifying non-essential spending, and cutting back to reduce their overall expenditure.
Can high-income earners still maintain their lifestyle while becoming finance ready?
Yes, the goal is to make strategic spending adjustments without significantly compromising their lifestyle. This can be achieved by cutting back on non-essential expenses and being more mindful of spending patterns.
What long-term benefits do high-income earners gain by becoming finance ready?
Besides improving their chances of loan approval, they can also achieve better financial management, potentially save more money, and enhance their overall financial health.
The bonus is, you’ll probably save quite a bit of money in the process, and our service is 100% free for you, as we’re paid by the lender. Speak to one of our friendly team members and get the ball rolling on your loan application today!
Phone: 1300 855 022
Zippy Financial is an award-winning mortgage brokerage specialising in home loans, property investment, commercial lending, and vehicle & asset finance. Whether you are looking to buy your first home, refinance or build your property investment portfolio, the team at Zippy Financial can help find and secure the right loan for you and your business.
About the Author:
Louisa Sanghera is an award-winning mortgage broker and Director at Zippy Financial. Louisa founded Zippy Financial with the goal of helping clients grow their wealth through smart property and business financing. Louisa utilises her expert financial knowledge, vision for exceptional customer service and passion for property to help her clients achieve their lifestyle and financial goals. Louisa is an experienced speaker, financial commentator, mortgage broker industry representative and small business advocate.
Connect with Louisa on Linkedin.
Louisa Sanghera is a Credit Representative (437236) of Mortgage Specialists Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence No. 387025).
Disclaimer: This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This article is not to be used in place of professional advice, whether business, health or financial.
