Capital gains tax under review: NSW tackles housing affordability
The New South Wales government wants to help make housing more affordable for first time homebuyers by reviewing its capital gains tax discount.
The capital gains tax discount allows property sellers to receive a tax break when selling homes they’ve owned for 12 months or more.
Specifically, if you sell a house after that time you only have to pay tax on half of the profit you make on it. Property investors tend to take advantage of this tax break.
"These tax benefits of property investment have contributed to the growing housing affordability issue," said the submission NSW suggested.
"While the combined effect is likely to be a moderate increase in house prices, the most significant impact is the displacement of owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) from home ownership by tax-advantaged investors, predominantly those already on higher incomes."
Recently, the value of the Aussie housing market broke the $9 trillion mark, just five months after hitting $8 trillion. And the national average cost of a home sits at $719,209. In NSW, the average house price for residential property is above $1 million, and Sydney’s median house price is more than $1.3 million.
It stands to reason then that many experts believe the deep pockets of investors have played a big role in price surges of recent years. Mozo banking expert Peter Marshall would like to see the end of capital gain breaks for investors.
“The current rules give landlords a great incentive to buy properties that are available to owner occupiers, which pushes up prices and makes it harder for people currently renting to break into the housing market, meaning a plentiful supply of people who are stuck renting and paying the aforementioned landlords,” he said.
Housing affordability and other measures
Even with government and state incentives available for first time buyers like the First Home Owner Grants (FHOG), house affordability issues continue.
If you are a potential first time home buyer, there might be a chance you won't qualify for NSW grants because your home is too expensive. The FHOG puts a property value cap of $600,000 for those interested in the $10,000 grant. But with residential property averaging at $1 million, it is easy to see how difficult it may be for a first time buyer to break into the market without any help. Even with potential government aid right at your fingertips, many still cannot afford to buy homes.
The state government also wants to remove stamp duty, which is an extra charge you need to pay (a couple thousands) when buying your already ultra expensive property. NSW wants to replace it with a broader property tax.
At the moment there is no definitive plan on how the state will tackle current house affordability issues, but the Liberal chair of the housing affordability inquiry said that fixing the undersupply of homes available to purchase may improve affordability. Along with reviewing the current capital gains tax.
If you are a NSW resident wondering if you’ll ever be able to own a home, check out Mozo’s first time buyer guides so you can take the first steps in learning on how to make home ownership possible.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,106
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
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Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,106
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,106
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (5.93% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.94% p.a. (6.01% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.08% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.14% p.a. (6.09% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
5.98% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.11
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,106
Lock in a low 2 year fixed rate with the Mozo award winning Home Lender of the Year. Available for live-in borrowers with just a 10% deposit required. Free extra repayments (up to 20% in fixed period), free redraw and partial offset available. $10 monthly service fee. Aussie support centre. Fast approvals. Up to 6 free offset accounts (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 5.84% p.a. (6.19% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.54% p.a. (6.11% p.a.*)
3 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.21% p.a.*)
4 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
5 years - 6.04% p.a. (6.20% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - up to 20% during the fixed period
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes - partial only
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
5.89
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.62
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,266
- Interest rate
-
1 year - 6.09% p.a. (6.85% p.a.*)
2 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.77% p.a.*)
3 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.71% p.a.*)
4 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.66% p.a.*)
5 years - 5.89% p.a. (6.62% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
6.54% p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
Home Loan Package
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
- no
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- -
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,308
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.98% p.a. (6.02% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Extra repayments
- -
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- -
- Offset account
- yes- optional with $10/month
- Split account
- -
- Other restrictions
- Settlement fee comprises of settlement fee and loan processing fee. Valuation fee varies.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Express Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <90%
- Interest rate
-
6.09
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.22
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,359
Get online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
- Interest rate
-
6.09% p.a. (6.22% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$134
- Ongoing fees
-
$10.00 monthly
- Discharge fee
-
$350.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $5,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- yes
- Split account
- no
- Other restrictions
- Electronic Valuation: $134. Full Valuation <$1m: $220 and>$1m: $440. Loan applicable when buying or refinancing an established property in a capital city or major regional centre.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Bendigo Bank home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR 80-90%
- Interest rate
-
6.39
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.39
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$4,499
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Settlement fee waived on new borrowings from $50,000 (T&Cs apply).
- Interest rate
-
6.39% p.a. (6.39% p.a.*)
- Fixed loan revert rate
-
n/a
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Package
-
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Minimum redraw amount
- $0.00
- Offset account
- no
- Split account
- yes
- Other restrictions
- Interest only payment option is for a maximum of 5 years.
- Other benefits
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
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