Now could be the time to secure a competitive fixed-rate investment loan: Chris Lang

Should you be fixing the interest rate for the term of your investment loan, or simply running with the best variable rate?

Lurking behind that question is another concern: will interest rates fall any further, and if so, by how much?

The case for a further interest rate cut:

Many pundits feel the rest of the rest of the economy may not pick up the slack from the anticipated decline in the mining sector.

And that's mainly because manufacturers are still struggling on two fronts in coping with our high dollar:

1. cheaper imports make them less competitive in Australia; and

2. the high dollar makes their exports less competitive overseas.

Even though new housing construction enjoyed a 2% jump during the December quarter, it has since flattened out and may well need a boost.

The case against a further interest rate cut:

With the level of Australian household savings at a record high, a sizeable "war chest" has been created for consumers.

And after five years of doing nothing, most people have now become rather bored. They have been squirreling away funds for a rainy day, which (for Australia) simply hasn't come.

So far, it has purely been a confidence issue. But positive events have been consistently occurring over the past six months. Things like:

• A partial resolution of the US fiscal cliff;

• US employment data continues to improve;

• Our government has backed off its surplus commitment;

• Iron ore prices have increase about 70% since September;

• The EEC claims the "essential threat" to the euro is over;

• Australian share prices and bond yields have risen; and

• Unemployment has remained fairly steady.

All of which would tend to indicate the only way for interest rates from here is upward.

The blip in the unemployment figure of 5.6% for March will probably provide you with a small window in which to still obtain a competitive fixed interest rate for your mortgage.

Because as we discussed last week, the unexpected strength of retail sales during February is seen as a lead indicator — signifying the return of consumer confidence.

And that has also been reflected in the high clearance rates for in-city residential auctions around Australia — currently hovering between 65% and 70% each week, so far this year.

By mid-2013, this will also be fully reflected within the commercial sector, which is already starting to see a strong increase in demand.

Bottom line: you probably have about two months in which to secure a reasonable fixed rate for your investment loans. And I would strongly suggest you engage a good finance broker to help you source them.

Chris Lang is an advisor to commercial property investors, sell-out author and regular speaker on how to invest in commercial property. You can visit his website Property Edge Australia to help you get the most out of your commercial property investing.