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As investors become increasingly aware of how much the lending landscape has changed from that of a few years ago, a question I am receiving a lot is, “When will we see the banks relax mortgage lending criteria again?” Whilst we saw the slight relaxing..
Read ArticleThe 2012 tax year began on 1 April 2011 for most taxpayers and with it new tax rules in relation depreciation on buildings and LAQCs finally came into force. We have written a number of times on the potential impact these rules may have on you..
Read ArticleWe find that a lot of our clients get very confused about what drawings are. And with good reason – it’s a complicated area. Most tend to think that drawings taken by a shareholder from a company are the same thing as their wage or..
Read ArticleI wonder if the Reserve Bank's enthusiasm for introducing debt-to-income ratios has more to do with social agenda than strengthening the economy and protecting the banking system. In the Professional Trustee Team's August blog, we note that debt-to-income ratios (DTIs) are potentially dangerous and that they can..
Read ArticleIn these tougher times we have noticed vendors asking for early release of deposits before actual settlement has taken place. If you have purchased a property and paid a deposit on the unconditional date, we would recommend you think twice before agreeing (and don’t) to any..
Read ArticleWith nearly 900 people in attendance, the Economic & Property Update in March was a fantastic event. Tony Alexander gave his predictions for the economy and property market in 2016, and I talked about strategies for investing in the current conditions. Tony and I both..
Read ArticleAs I have said on several occasions, property and stock markets react much faster than local businesses to bad news. The property sector and stock market wear the downside of recession very quickly, as does the entire supply chain underneath these sectors of the economy...
Read ArticleWe have noticed that more and more employers are incentivising their employees by offering shares and share options as part of their employment packages. Shares can also be offered to past and future employees. Offering shares provides an opportunity to motivate and retain key employees of..
Read ArticleFor most clients, 1 April signals the start of the New Year for business and tax purposes, and the month of March brings opportunities to minimise tax and maximise cash surpluses for the coming year. A well known quote is “if you fail to..
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