Queen of straight up advice removes misinformation
A Northland mortgage adviser is on a mission to educate first home buyers about the process of purchasing their first property.
Sarah Curtis (pictured above), the self-confessed queen of straight up advice and mortgage adviser of Sarah Curtis Mortgages & Insurance, created a First Home Buyers School to remove the misinformation that was spooking homebuyers.
“I have found during my career that so many people have been told or read the wrong information about buying a home,” Curtis said.
“I found that I could have a 30-minute conversation with a prospective client and, by the end of it, could tell them if they could buy a house and for what price. However, over the course of the CCCFA and Responsible Lending Act, this is no longer a 30-minute conversation as there is too much to work through in just one meet and greet.”
Read more: First-home buyers quietly returning to the market – CoreLogic
Curtis said the idea for the First Home Buyers School came from breaking down the lengthy conversations she was now having with clients into 30-minute online exercises for them to work through.
“The subjects are broken down into things such as a money-plan (budget), what is the role of a solicitor, when you know how much money you can borrow, how will your loan be structured,” she said.
“It is all about removing the complexity and making it relatable and understandable. The school is $150, and you receive lifetime access to learning materials and access to our Facebook page. It has been an incredible journey so far and I have received so many great reviews.”
Curtis said once her students ‘graduate’ from the First Home Buyers School, they could book a consultation with her to talk through what they learnt and how far away they were from buying their first home.
“The school is set up through our website and we make sure it is updated to reflect all policy,” she said. “It’s a source that contains all the answers first home buyers have, making it simple and helpful for all and I am really proud of it.”
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Curtis said it was crucial for mortgage advisers to educate their first home buyer clients.
“There is so much misinformation out there and it is very easy to get caught up in it, which can be overwhelming and complex,” she said. “My advice to any first home buyer is to avoid the white noise and engage a mortgage adviser and build a relationship with them. We are an asset, and we are here to help.”
Curtis said the first home buyers she was currently working with were committed and serious towards purchasing their first property.
“About six months ago I found many weren’t as serious. They might have looked at some houses and considered purchasing, however now they are going, looking, putting offers in and buying,” she said. “These buyers know their stuff. They know how many bedrooms, bathrooms, garages they want, they know what locations they would like to live in. Any potential fear is gone and there is a shift in market sentiment.”
Curtis said despite the cost-of-living soaring and inflation being at a high level, there were still many active first home buyers in the market.
“Now spring has sprung, there are many buyers who are telling me they can afford their future mortgage repayments, they want to get into the market and if they can be tested at a particular rate and can afford it, then let’s do it,” she said.
“Many people were spooked with interest rate rises, but I encourage my clients to talk through their circumstances and not to listen to the big scary headlines. Find out what this will mean for you, because, as advisers, we are here to help.”
