08 May 2015
There’s been a lot of talk lately about allowing first homebuyers to purchase property using their super. And while legislation on the issue hasn’t passed yet, it’s worth looking into how potential changes will make life easier (or possibly harder) for first homebuyers.
The pros
If first homebuyers can access their super to purchase property, they’ll be able to buy sooner.This makes property more accessibility to people who may not ordinarily have the ability to enter the property market.Australian Senator, Nick Xenophon, said Canada has a similar initiative, which has made housing more affordable for Canadians.Xenophon said the scheme lets first homebuyers in Canada use up to $25,000 in super. He believes Australia could benefit from a similar approach.
The cons
If young people can access funds from their super, they have less to rely on when they retire.This will impact the quality of life of retirees in the future.High super contributions may also be required to offset retirement income that is used to purchase property.As a result, the cost of living in Australia could become much higher.
For more insights about saving on your home loan, ask a Capita mortgage broker to compare rates and terms from different lenders.