Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have become a popular choice for individuals wanting to take control of their retirement savings. At the same time, Australians have continued their love affair with property. It has great appeal for investors with a view to bringing self-funded, early retirement closer, by either making use of the negative gearing legislation or simply by making a profit through rental income.
Combining your superannuation with property investment seemed like a great idea… right? There was one hitch, though. Prior to September 2007, investors’ SMSFs couldn’t borrow or charge their assets, so previously borrowing for property investment using your super wasn’t an option. However, late last year changes to the legislation made by the previous government altered this to open a new avenue of superannuation investment diversification away from the traditional “managed funds” approach to help mitigate the risk to an individual’s investment portfolio by making property investment possible.