One in three OTP investors around Bankstown-Liverpool thinking of forfeiting apartment deposits

One in three OTP investors around Bankstown-Liverpool thinking of forfeiting apartment deposits
Jonathan ChancellorDecember 7, 2020

It has been suggested one-in-three off-the-plan investors currently presently through Chan & Naylor's Bankstown-Liverpool office are facing financial stress completing their apartment purchase.

These south west Sydney property investors are considering forfeiting deposits rather than having to take out additional loans up to 20% of the property value, Peter Ristevski, an accountant partner with Chan & Naylor, told the Australian Financial Review.

"I fear a flood of investment properties coming back onto the market will drive down prices and force a correction," said Mr Ristevski.

Investors finalising off-the-plan property purchases require bigger deposits, typically a rise from 10% to 20%, after the APRA crackdown on the overheated Sydney market.

The AFR says it is particularly an issue for self managed super funds that have to find up to 30%.

The AFR estimated there are 90,000 apartments being constructed around the country that have been sold off-the-plan but are not yet settled.

Mr Ristevski claims his experience is replicated by his colleagues across the company's national network of advisers.

"Many do not have an extra 10% in cash to complete the deal," he said. He joined the firm in October 2013 after four years at YBR.

Their options to borrow additional money, include taking out a second mortgage at a higher interest rate.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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