These are challenging times as Australia and the international community band together in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We want to reassure you that the team at Resolve Finance (part of the ABN Group) has been working closely with lender partners to ensure your dream of home ownership is not impacted in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.
‘Zero-contact’ strategy: video interviews are now underway
Many lenders – including Resolve Home Loans and Bluebay Home Loans – are now allowing mortgage brokers to conduct finance interviews via video using Skype, FaceTime and other video platforms. Combined with a paperless application process, this means your finance application can be effectively managed by Resolve, without the need for face-to-face meetings.
Some lenders may still require providers to hold an initial face-to-face meeting with you. If this is the case, your personal hygiene will be the number one priority. Some of the extra precautionary measures that are being taken to reduce the risk of infection and help keep customers and staff safe include:
- International travel has been banned and domestic travel is being strongly discouraged.
- All staff are practising ‘social distancing’ with each other and the public.
- Team segregation is in place, with various people and teams already working from home.
- No large meetings or team events are being held during this period.
- As part of the ‘zero contact’ strategy, no handshakes will be offered – just excellent customer service!
Customers who are meeting Resolve staff face-to-face may also be asked to confirm whether they have returned from any international travel within the last 14 days or are showing any cold or flu like symptoms.
Interest rates are reduced again and are at record lows
In an extraordinary move, we have seen the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduce the official cash rate to 0.25% and we are waiting to see how the banks respond. Earlier in March, we saw the RBA reduce the official cash rate to 0.25% and almost all banks and lenders passed this on to customers. These record low interest rates are expected to stay around, meaning lower repayments, or the opportunity for you to focus on paying off your home loan faster.
Property market
Up until February 2020, house prices had been rising in major capital cities including Melbourne and more recently, Perth. This was being driven by solid market fundamentals like a reduced supply of new homes; an increase in demand for property; low interest rates; population growth; and a lower number of homes available to rent.
While it’s difficult to predict what impact COVID-19 will have on property markets, many of the underlying drivers of price growth are likely to remain once the COVID-19 environment settles.
Experience to support you on your journey
Resolve Finance – as part of the ABN Group – has been supporting Australians, throughout the ups and downs of the market, on their path to home ownership for more than 20 years. They have also recently been named in Australia’s Top 10 Brokerage List by The Adviser, so you can rest assured your mortgage broker is well placed to help you achieve your dream of home ownership.
Our commitment to exceptional customer service remains unchanged, so please do not hesitate to talk to one of our sales consultants about starting your journey to find ‘The One.’ If you have any specific questions or concerns about finance, you can contact Resolve.
Article written and supplied by Resolve Finance.