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Confused about the ins and outs of mortgage refinancing? There are two key considerations when you’re looking at taking the step – why and how. Here, we examine both. A home loan is generally a long-term proposition, but in some situations it can be suitable to refinance your mortgage. Refinancing involves taking out a new… Read more »

Savvy borrowers have an endgame in sight before they even apply for a home loan, and with the right mortgage offset account, they could win that game even more quickly. Home buyers usually focus on the here and now, not the distant future. Rather than the size of their loan balance in 10 or 20… Read more »

It’s important to look after the tenants in your investment property – it encourages them to stay long term and take care of your property. So how can you keep your tenants happy? By treating your property like a business and your tenants like valued customers. The tenant as customer The rental market in most… Read more »

The first thing most of us look at when selecting an investment property is its location. If the property itself isn’t quite right, you can always renovate, but it’s not as easy to move a house to a better location. That’s why you should consider the location carefully. Here are some of the most important… Read more »

Buying your own home remains the great Australian dream – and purchasing a second property may help you take your wealth further. Whether you’re building your property investment portfolio, buying a holiday house or supporting a family member, there are plenty of things to think about before you take that next step. Consider your cashflow… Read more »

Purchasing a property with a loved one can be a great way to enter to the property market, but taking on such a large financial responsibility with someone else does come with risks. These are some of the pros and cons to consider before you both sign your names on the contract. PRO: Entering the… Read more »

Never renovated a property before? Here are four mistakes to avoid when it’s home improvement time. Mistake 1: Not doing enough research Don’t start work without knowing the details. You need to research building materials and tradespeople, and understand the legal and regulatory aspects of a renovation. Find out how much materials and tradies cost…. Read more »

Privacy, security, beautification – there are plenty of reasons why you might choose to fence your property. Understand what your options are and how to choose the right fence. Why fence? You might want to keep your dog, or kids, securely inside. Or maybe you want to keep others out. Fencing can conceal a less-than-attractive… Read more »

Buying property off the plan is exciting as it means you get to own a brand-new home, but make sure you know what’s involved. Start by asking these five questions: 1. Do you know the risks? When buying an apartment, unit or house off the plan, you’re purchasing a promise. You can’t step into the… Read more »

The amount you can borrow and the amount you should borrow are sometimes two very different things. Before you apply for a home loan, it makes sense to realistically assess your financial situation. Here’s how to do it. Understand your borrowing capacity Generally speaking, your borrowing capacity – what you can borrow – depends on… Read more »

Ready to buy a property? You’ll need to show the seller you have enough money. For most people, this will mean getting a loan, and the first step to getting one is obtaining pre-approval for it. Pre-approval – also known as conditional approval or approval in principle – is an indication from a lender as… Read more »

Insulation can potentially save you big money on energy bills, keep your home comfortable and reduce your carbon footprint. It slows down the transfer of energy to and from your house, so it keeps winter warmth in and summer heat out. There are plenty of options for what to insulate, and what materials you can use. The… Read more »

You’ve been dreaming of that new kitchen and dining room for as long as you can remember, and now the time has come to put your plans in motion. But do you really have the budget to afford the works? Here are a few things to think about before making the leap from Pinterest board… Read more »

Deciding where to go for your home loan is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. While many prospective property owners will choose to use a mainstream lender, non-bank lenders also have their advantages. What are non-bank lenders? Essentially, a non-bank lender is a lender that’s not a bank, credit union or building society…. Read more »

Finding the right real estate agent to sell your property can be daunting. These helpful tips can make the experience a whole lot easier. Do some research The key to finding the right real estate agent is doing a bit of research. Start by making a short list of agents in your area. Then, investigate… Read more »

When you’re selling your house, the key to a successful open for inspection is to make potential buyers feel comfortable. You want to show your property’s best side, and allow people to see themselves living in their new home. We’ve put together some handy tips to help increase your property’s attractiveness on inspection day. Put… Read more »

The hammer falls, the auction has ended, the bidding’s all done… and the property is passed in to you, the highest bidder. You’re standing out the front of what could be your dream home, surrounded by curious neighbours, nosy passers-by and who knows how many other serious buyers. So what now? What happens next? With… Read more »

The real estate market can be tough for young adults, but as a parent you may be able to lend a helping hand. We tell you how. 1.Parent-to-child loan A parent-to-child loan is when a parent lends their child money. This is a formal, legally binding arrangement, administered by an independent third party. At the… Read more »

Wondering how to pay off your home loan sooner? We look at some things you could do. Australian home loan interest rates remain at historic lows, and the opportunities for paying off a mortgage early are better than ever. Used in conjunction with low rates, here are some extra steps that can speed up loan… Read more »

In Australia, there are a number of ways to structure your home loan repayments. Finding the best option may save you time and money on your mortgage. Here is some information to help you choose the repayment structure that works best for you. Variable rate loans Variable interest rate loans are all about flexibility. Essentially,… Read more »

Breaking up is hard to do. On top of the emotional impact, there are practical ramifications as well. When there’s a separation or divorce, debts you’ve accrued during the relationship unfortunately don’t go away. The longer a couple is together, the harder it can be to unravel all the financial connections. Here we outline some… Read more »

A white-label loan is essentially a home-branded loan, much like the home-branded products you see in the supermarket aisles. Like these products, white-label loans aim to deliver many of the same great features as bank-branded home loans, but for a lower cost to you the customer.  A trend seen in supermarkets over recent years has… Read more »

  For those unfamiliar, a white-label loan is essentially a home-branded loan. Just like your favourite home-branded products you see in supermarket aisles there is more than meets the eye – the white-label loan is more than its competitive price tag. White-label products are high quality and are developed by leading lenders – they are… Read more »

Loans are by no means ‘one size fits all.’ Different loan types suit different age groups, different living situations and even different attitudes to money. A common trap some home-owners fall into is to consider a mortgage ‘set and forget’. You did your research, shopped around, found the right option and now you’re reluctant to… Read more »

It’s one of the less glamorous home loan features, but the redraw facility deserves a second look. Here’s why: The redraw facility explained A redraw facility lets you make additional repayments to reduce your variable rate home loan balance and save on interest. If you pay more than your minimum scheduled repayments, then you’ll have… Read more »

There are several ways to reduce your monthly mortgage repayments, which can save you thousands…   Home loan health check The first step in reducing your mortgage repayments is to find out whether you are paying more than you should be. A so called ‘home loan health check’ will very quickly determine whether there are… Read more »