Finance Point

Lately I have been learning about, and warming up to the idea of adding a little bit of of international real estate, probably not RAP however, to client portfolios.

Former US president Bill Clinton reportedly arrived at the White House deeply in debt. But since handing over the reigns in Washington, he’s wiped out what he owed and accumulated nearly $40 million in the process, mainly through speaking fees.

Not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to rely on a lucrative lecture tour to pay off our debts. And none of us will need $40m to break even, either.

But with more than six million* of us consolidating our debts in the past three years, more and more Brits are struggling to get to grips with their money worries. In a bid to get their borrowing under control, around one in seven adults have borrowed more money to ease their financial problems with unsecured personal loans the most popular choice. Read More

Remember, mortgage interest rates are based on mortgage backed securities: bonds.   These bonds are traded just like how stocks are bought and sold.   So if an investor can get a better return in New Zealand vs. here…then that’s where the money may go.   Out of bonds and into kiwis thus pushing up mortgage interest rates.  In addition, other countries, such as Australia may follow suit increasing competition for international dollars even higher. Read More