Stuck in an expensive home loan and feeling trapped? You’re not alone. It’s estimated about 16 per cent of households with a mortgage are in a “mortgage prison”, unable to refinance to a more competitive interest rate because they can’t meet strict serviceability rules. But there may be a way out. And we can help. What is …
Australia’s winter housing outlook is improving, with rising property prices and stronger market conditions. Since February, we have seen three consecutive months of positive growth in housing values due to a significant imbalance between supply and demand. This month, experts warned that if property prices continued to grow as they have in recent months, we may see …
Do you know how much you owe on your HECS-HELP debt? While student HECS and HELP loans in Australia are interest-free, they are indexed every financial year based on a cost of living index. The recent outbreak of high inflation means millions of Australians with student loan debts are facing a 7.1% increase from 1 …
How your HECS-HELP debt affects your borrowing capacity Read More »
Sorting through heaps of receipts to figure out your allowable deductions isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time, right? Property investment can be a rewarding venture, but it comes with its share of responsibilities, especially when tax season rolls around. To help you navigate the world of tax deductions, we’ve put together a tax checklist …
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is facing a major overhaul following an independent review. What does it mean for interest rates and for Australian mortgage holders? We dive into all your questions in this article. Why was there a review? Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the review in July 2022 – the first review of the …
Winter is coming, but for many investors, it’s a time to celebrate about the sizzling rental property market. According to CoreLogic, Australia’s capital cities recorded the strongest annual rental increase in history. In the year to April 2023, the combined capitals saw an annual rental increase of 11.7%, which was a new record. The increase has …
There’s no doubt about it. Buying sight unseen – that is, purchasing a property without viewing it in person – can be risky. What if it has a strange smell when you finally do enter the property? What if it’s a little darker than how it appeared in the advertisement photos? What if the neighbour …
You’ve just purchased an investment property (go you!), so what comes next? It’s time to find some quality tenants and sign them up to a lease. When it comes to this step, you can go one of two ways. You can pay a property manager to take care of the nitty gritty for you. There …
Do you remember dial-up internet access? How about audio cassettes? Don’t worry if you don’t; they are, of course, a thing of the past. A 30-year mortgage with one lender is a bit the same – a thing of the past and something that is largely obsolete nowadays. Especially given the current climate. With the …
We hope you had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed a treat or three with your loved ones. Homeowners breathed a collective sigh of relief this month when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the cash rate on hold, following the release of softer inflation figures. Meanwhile, it’s been a slower than usual start to the …
