If... we see a property crash, will you be better off....?

Originally posted by speculator101 ↑

So.. I have been pondering this for ages.

Simple question really.

Is it better to borrow big like the vast majority of Australia citizens (and perhaps this could be broadened to across the globe) or, be conservative and be debt free?

I ask because, to date, I have yet to see any government or Federal bank, not bend over backwards to support asset prices. BOJ, US FED, EU FED, etc etc etc. I mean, there are now negative interest rates in most of the largest economics in the world. When I see articles like this - First Denmark, Now Belgium Is Paying People To Take Out A Mortgage

I just wonder, have I been wrong all along (how I live my life and run my finances)? Should I have followed the herd and borrowed up to my eyeballs? Biggest house I could afford?? With what to me seems like an almost guarantee that governments across the globe will not support me in my largess? At the expense of savers?

I may post this question on the Economics thread to, as I feel it has multiple dimensions to it.

Just to put a further example out there as to my frustration with the current financial system, I was speaking to a 28 year Australia, who recently returned from the UK. She had bought an apartment in London (a small one). It had gone up quite a bit in the past 5 years. She drew out all the equity she could, ($180k AUD) and brought it home to buy another property here. Why.... because her home loan in the UK, is 1.24%!!!!! Bloody crazy and yet... I makes me wonder, why the hell would I not do the same if I could....

So in summary, I am looking at buying a bigger house, in a suburb near to my work, because in the end, where you live is very important, and if I can do so, with some certainty that even thought I am taking on more 'risk' by borrowing more, its still barely going to compare to the rest of Australia who has already done so, without, perhaps thinking things through to the same extent I have.

Looking forward to hearing others thoughts on this.

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1.24% would be the honeymoon rate right, after the honeymoon what's the real deal rate?

When you say borrow big what do you mean. How many time income?

Vast majority of australian citizens? I don't think a vast majority are up to their eyeballs. There could be a fairly large number who bought in more recently (last 5 years or so - depending on where you are) but I wouldn't think it is a vast majority of citizens. Having said that I don't believe it would take a vast majority of these to default to cause a crash. Poor economic conditions, poor population growth, over building and significant changes to interest rates, either alone or the combined minor impacts of all these could lead to a crash following moderate levels (say 5-10% of all mortgages) of defaults.