Could you use your home equity to buy an investment property?

Posted on Thursday, 21st September, 2017 in Home Loans, Investing

If you own a property and have been paying off the mortgage, it could be time to think about taking the next step on the property ladder – investment. For many Australians, an investment property is a fantastic way to generate extra income and secure a long-term asset. Even so, getting a deposit together while […]

First home buyers waiting for legislation to pass

Posted on Wednesday, 20th September, 2017 in First Home Buyers, Government Policy, Home Loans

Legislation is being put to the Senate for the proposed First Home Super Savers Scheme (FHSSS). Under the proposed scheme, people could make annual contributions of up to $15,000 to their super fund, to a total of $30,000. Contributions would be taxed at 15 per cent and withdrawals would be taxed at the individual’s marginal […]

How does a bridging loan work for buying property while selling?

Posted on Tuesday, 19th September, 2017 in Home Loans, Loan Process

So, you’ve bought a property and have been paying off the mortgage. Now, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next. Purchasing a property certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes on the market, and there’s always something out there that can capture your attention and set you thinking about another move. Perhaps you’re […]

What can rates of mortgage stress tell us about housing affordability?

Posted on Thursday, 14th September, 2017 in Economy, Home Loans, Interest Rates, Money

There are all sorts of ways to look at the health of the Australian property market. From interest rates to the number of homes for sale, the right information can tell us a lot about the state of play in real estate. One of the most important factors to consider is mortgage stress, which is an […]

Ready to settle? Six things to do before signing on the dotted line

Posted on Tuesday, 12th September, 2017 in Home Loans, Loan Process

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest commitments you will ever make. Fortunately, there is an agreed amount of time between making a decision to purchase your home, and signing on the dotted line. This is to make sure both parties are happy with the sale, and finances are in order. Here are some […]

Tips for saving your first deposit

Posted on Thursday, 7th September, 2017 in Economy, First Home Buyers, Money

Younger people are having difficulty breaking into the housing market according to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The report found that home ownership for the under-40s has dropped significantly since 2002. And those who have made it into the market are not paying off their mortgage at the same rate. The […]

Understanding low doc loans for the self-employed

Posted on Tuesday, 5th September, 2017 in Home Loans, Loan Process, Self Employed

There’s a lot of appeal to being self-employed. Sole traders or people who own their own small business enjoy freedom, flexibility and the chance to adapt their work to best suit their interests and skills. However, there are a couple of drawbacks to being self-employed. One of the biggest is the difficulty these workers face when it […]

Housing supply under $400,000 dries up

Posted on Friday, 1st September, 2017 in Economy, Home Loans, Money

by CoreLogic The ongoing increases in dwelling values over recent years has led to a significant reduction in the proportion of sales occurring below $400,000. Across the nation, 31.2% of houses and 37.3% of units sold transacted for less than $400,000. By comparison, a year ago the proportions were recorded at 32.8% for houses and […]

Is owning your own home still better than renting?

Posted on Thursday, 31st August, 2017 in Economy, First Home Buyers, Home Loans, Renovating

The number of Australians owning their own home (both with and without a mortgage) has declined slightly over the past five years, the most recent Census data shows. At the same time, the number of us renting has increased slightly. Currently, 30.9 per cent of Australians are renting, up from 29.6 per cent in 2011. […]

Five questions to ask your mortgage broker

Posted on Tuesday, 29th August, 2017 in First Home Buyers, Home Loans, Loan Process

Getting your first mortgage can be a daunting process. There are lots of numbers, and so much paper work. Working with a mortgage broker helps take the stress out of this process. But what exactly do you need to know? Here are five things to ask your mortgage broker, before you sign on the dotted […]