Parental Guarantors
Having children is a life-long sentence. When they are babies you worry about them swallowing batteries and when they are teenagers you worry about them falling in with the wrong crowd. Once they are in their 20s and 30s, you worry about them being able to afford their own home.
First-home ownership among 18 to 39-year old’s has dropped in Sydney and the figures are not much better in the Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
In a recent survey by the lawyers Slater and Gordon, 26% of Generation Y said they would need some help from their parents to get into their first home. That is great if Bank of Mum and Dad can afford it, but even if you are not in a position to help out your children with a bundle of cash, there is still a way you can give them a financial leg up. If you own your own home, you can help your children step on the property ladder by becoming a parental guarantor.
What is a Parental Guarantee?
It is when a parent uses the equity in their home as security against a loan taken out by their child. For example, if you have $500,000 equity in your home, you can put up part of that – say $100,000 to provide your child with additional security value, allowing them to borrow more of the purchase price of their new home.
What are the Benefits?
What are the Potential Risks?
Of course, as with all financial decisions, becoming a parental guarantor is not something that you should rush into without first speaking to the experts. But by doing your homework and working with your trusted mortgage professional, tapping into the equity in your home could help secure the financial future of your entire family.
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 or needs before making any decisions based on this information.
Comparison Rate calculated on a secured loan amount of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This Comparison Rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different Comparison Rate. Fees and Charges Apply. Terms and Conditions are available on request.