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How to manage your debt
While a little bit of debt may not hurt, having a large amount of debt can be an overwhelming experience. Apart from hurting your credit score, a debt spiral can keep you from achieving your financial goals.
Future focused: apps and tools to track your finances
It’s always a good idea to have a little help managing your money – especially when you’ve got monthly mortgage repayments to make, staff salary, supplier invoices,…
How The First Home Super Saver Scheme Can Work For You
The great Australian dream of home ownership is alive and well. But with property prices at an all time high, it can seem like a tall mountain to climb.
What you need to get ahead: asset finance explained
In business, growth is often the goal or for a medical practice providing the first class customer care. For many businesses, expansion means needing new equipment,
Three Must-Knows For Property Investors To Prep For EOFY
If you are a property investor, you will know what a hectic time end of financial year (EOFY) can be. However, with a little forward planning, you will be well on your way to a smooth tax lodgement come EOFY.
What to consider when buying a second property
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…
Why location is crucial when buying an investment property
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.
Exit costs when refinancing
Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan, but there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest…
When was your last health check?
Circumstances can change, leaving your home loan less suitable than it was originally. A home loan health check can reveal if you’re paying too much.
How to negotiate in a softer housing market
Seller expectations are high but buyers want low prices – what’s to be done? Two real estate agents detail how to negotiate in a declining market.
Dealing with troublesome tenants
Most tenants are reliable, but if you’re a property investor, chances are you’ll encounter at least one bad renter. From failing to pay rent through to causing damage or conducting criminal activity, these tenants can harm your return on investment.
Rules of investment
When you’re trying to secure finance for an investment property, it’s important to keep a few simple rules in mind to make sure you get the best deal possible and will be able to afford the repayments, come what may. If you’re thinking about purchasing an investment property, it’s important to…
What can you expect your property manager to do?
A property manager’s role includes collecting rent, of course, but they also manage your relationship with the person who lives in your property, so it is important to find a property manager who will do the best job of keeping the tenants…
Finance broker or bank?
While a bank will only offer you its own products, a credit adviser is an industry expert who will take the guesswork out of finding the mortgage product that suits you and your needs.
Solicitors versus conveyancers
The two are different, and it is important to have the right one on your team, in order to avoid paying too much while still getting the advice you need.
Five simple ways to declutter your home
If you still don’t know where to start, I can connect you to a professional declutter who can guide you. Once you are in the clear , contact your MFAA…
How redraw and offset accounts can save you money
Offset accounts and redraw facilities work in similar ways; they both allow you to reduce the balance of your home loan, and therefore the interest charged, by applying…
The best apps to help you house hunt, renovate, and decorate
These days finding the perfect location to buy a property – and some great options for decorating it – is as easy as flicking through your phone.
Pay off your home loan faster and save
One of the most obvious ways to pay off your home loan quicker is to make extra repayments. Depositing lump sums, such as a tax return or work bonus, will always be beneficial, …
What comes first: the property or the loan?
Looking for a property to purchase is an exciting time. Choices regarding location, size, number of rooms and local amenities often see house…
Why does my broker ask for so much documentation?
“Gathering various forms of documentation allows brokers to do a fact find, which is an important part of the loan process,” explains Mortgage…
Home loan health check
Your finance broker can do a full home loan health check for you either in person or over the phone. They will check if your loan is still competitive and still suited to your individual needs.
When to refinance
Heard about mortgage refinancing? In the past, most people who took out a mortgage doggedly continued with it until they had paid it off. These days, people refinance their mortgage much more frequently.
Should you refinance
Then credit advisers will have a look at the various loan options and figure out whether it’s worth it for the borrower to refinance. It’s not usually worth it if it’s only going to save a couple of hundred dollars a year…
When is best to buy
Buyers are probably best positioned to use the timing that works best for them and their budgets rather than waiting for a particular time of the season where conditions might be more or less favourable,” Lawless says.
Low income investors
While you may not need a six-figure salary to invest in property, those who earn a relatively low income will require a little more creative thinking to start a…
Small deposit no worry
There can be a big difference between premiums paid if you have, for example, a 10 percent deposit saved compared with a five percent deposit, so it may well be worth trying to…
How a guarantor can help you secure finance
When you’re desperately trying to save up a deposit for a home and just see the prices of property climbing and climbing, it’s difficult to remain patient.
Why use a finance broker?
The choices now available in the mortgage market can seem limitless and completely overwhelming. You can choose to research the subject, the lenders and their products yourself, or work with a finance broker…
Finding the right loan
One of the benefits of working with a finance broker is the extensive menu of loan options they have at their fingertips. But given such a wide choice, how does your adviser narrow down the options to find the right…