Although New Year\u2019s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep as we head into the second month of 2018, there is one that can really deliver enough financial benefits to keep homeowners motivated for a whole year, says BetterBond CEO, Rudi Botha.<\/p>\n
Make a promise to yourself to \u201cinvest\u201d something in your bond every month, Botha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this time of year, many people are making plans to get better control of their finances and to save money for their children\u2019s university education or their own retirement,\u201d he said, \u201cbut the truth is that if you\u2019re a homeowner and you have some surplus cash each month, the very best \u2018investment\u2019 you can make is in your existing bond.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason for this is that the amount of interest you will save on your home loan will, in the long term, far outweigh the returns you could hope to make by choosing seemingly more exciting or adventurous investment avenues.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the latest statistics from bond originator, BetterBond, the average home price is currently R1.13 million and the average deposit 20%, putting the average monthly bond repayment on a 20-year loan granted at the prime interest rate of 10.25% at just under R8,900 a month.<\/p>\n
However, thanks to the way compound interest works, those who pay only the minimum amount each month will pay almost R1.3 million in interest over the course of the loan \u2013 or more than the original cost of the property.<\/p>\n
But by contrast, said Botha, the homeowner who pays just 10% more than the minimum each month \u2013 or an additional R890 in the example above – will pay off the loan in about 15.5 years instead of 20, and pay only R892,000 in interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn other words, he or she will save about R480,000 worth of interest, representing an excellent and tax-free return on the total additional \u2018investment\u2019 of R166,000 in their home loan. And of course the value of the property itself will be growing at the same time, and your equity will be mounting up quickly to provide a solid foundation on which to build wealth and meet your family\u2019s future needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Home values may only be growing slowly at the moment, Botha said, but owners need to remember that these also compound, and the latest First National Bank statistics reveal, for example, that real (after inflation) house prices have grown 65.5% since December 2000, despite the recession experienced in 2008\/09.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is more, an investment in property is relatively risk free, which is a very valid concern for consumers at this time, when the value of even blue-chip shares that seemed like a \u2018sure bet\u2019 can be wiped out within hours,” Botha said.<\/p>\n