There are two main benefits to renovating your property – firstly, you can make it more comfortable and compatible for your lifestyle; and secondly, you can increase the value of your home. The challenge is to find the right balance between these two benefits – if you invest too much into renovations, you risk reducing …
How to ensure your renovation will increase your house value Read More »
Your home is perhaps the biggest investment of your life – particularly as it is not just a financial investment, you are also investing in your future lifestyle. Yet many people have a tendency to “fall in love” with a particular property, and they forget to remain logical in their thinking. As a result, they …
You’re ready to buy a home, but you can’t find a lender who will approve your home loan. While this might seem discouraging and frustrating, it is not necessarily the end of your dream to become a home owner. Once you know the reason that you are considered a bad risk, you can improve your …
Top Six Reasons why your home loan might be declined Read More »
There are a bewildering variety of home loans available, and it can be confusing to figure out which type of home loan is the best for your circumstances. However, when you know the pros and cons of each type of loan, you can make a decision that will fit best with your financial situation. Fixed …
You are established in your home and ready to dabble in some investments, yet you are a little daunted by the responsibility of owning two properties. How do you know when conditions are right for you to purchase a second property? If you are like most one-property owners, you might visualize a few obstacles preventing …
What’s the best time to purchase a second property? Read More »
These loans are a great way to access the equity in your home to use for things like home renovations, investments or other personal purchases. Repayments on a line of credit loan are determined by the interest rate applicable at that time. If you have sufficient equity in your home, you will need to make …
If you are looking for a sound real estate investment, look beyond the typical two bedroom apartment and consider expanding your portfolio with a commercial property. There are three types of commercial property – office, retail and industrial. There are some significant differences between investing in commercial and residential real estate, each with a potential …
Comparing commercial and residential property investment Read More »
Genuine Savings For A Home Loan Deposit Explained Just when you thought that you could get the best home loan deal by simply having a lump sum of cash, you might have to think again. Not all cash deposits are acceptable in applying for a home or investment loan when your deposit is less than …
Understanding the buying and loan process Purchasing a new home or an investment property can be a daunting prospect, and you might find it difficult to identify the first logical step. Here we look at the process of securing a loan so you can buy the property that suits your needs and your budget. Ask …
When you are applying for a loan, the first thing lenders will do is check your credit score – and this will have a strong impact on their ultimate decision. So what is your credit score and how do you maintain a good score that will impress lenders? The five elements of your credit score …
The Great Australian Dream is open to all, even for casual workers. While banks might consider them riskier loan candidates than those with regular jobs, there are still many opportunities for casual employees to get a hold of a mortgage and purchase your own property. Many Australians in industries such as hospitality and retail trade …
If you are new to Australia and looking to establish a comfortable, settled life here, then sooner or later, you will naturally consider buying property, either as an investment or a home for your family. So there are a few things you need to do in preparation for your first property purchase. 1. Find steady …
Eight tips for New Australians wanting to purchase property Read More »
It’s the ultimate dilemma for any home owner planning to move on to a new property – do I sell or buy first? You don’t want to sell unless you have somewhere else to live, but you don’t want to buy unless you have the money from the original home. Whichever way you go, there …
Sell or buy first? Which option is right for you? Read More »
What do you want to achieve? Understanding your objectives is key to finding the right investment property. The actual property itself is never the end goal when it comes to investment – it’s the financial element that you’re really concerned about. First and foremost, decide what your end goal is and then create a plan …
While refinancing your home loan may seem overwhelming at first, it’s less complicated than you might think. With historically low interest rates and increased competition across the home loan industry, lenders are keen to get your business. When you first took out a home loan, you probably paid very close attention to interest rates. Over …
Easy refinancing for a better deal on your home loan Read More »
Everyone wants to pay less on their mortgage, and refinancing is one strategy to help lower your interest rates – but is it worth it? We take a look at how you can get the most out of refinancing. Why refinance? Generally, people refinance to negotiate a better deal on their home loan and pay …
Loan pre-approval, fixed versus variable rate loans, stamp duty, conveyancing…..if you’re new to Australia, the language of home buying can seem mystifying. Here are some of the things you need to know to get yourself on the road to the great Australian dream. Keep in mind, however, that speaking with an expert is the best …
Navigating a home loan when you’re new to Australia Read More »
There’s no denying that websites like Airbnb and Stayz have turned the holiday accommodation industry on its head. Anyone with a property, or even just a room to spare, can potentially make some handy cash from this new segment of the travel market. If you’re thinking of buying an investment property with the express purpose of listing it as …
Understanding how much borrowing capacity you have when buying your first home is an essential step for all newcomers to home ownership. The question of “How much can I borrow?” rears its ugly head for all new home buyers. As daunting as it can be, understanding your borrowing power is important – and essential – …
How much can you afford to borrow with your first home loan? Read More »
There are certain things to look out for when selecting and applying for a loan for your investment property. Here we look at the main differences, the most popular loan types, and how to get the best mortgage for your situation. Interest-only, fixed, variable, offset – finding the investment home loan that’s right for you …
With plenty of competition in the home loan sector, refinancing can be a good move. There are a number of reasons why you might want to refinance: you can consolidate debt from high-interest credit cards into a home loan with a lower rate of interest; you can release cash from your home loan equity for other …
Refinancing could save you thousands – and give you greater flexibility 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, …
Fixed, variable, split – find the right fit for you Read More »