There are plenty of products out there for the aspiring first, second or umpteenth home loan seeker. But when you’re buying from somebody else, you often have to make concessions. Maybe they aren’t as close to the shops as you’d like, perhaps the property doesn’t have enough bedrooms – even something like wanting a bigger […]
Just how useful are property predictions
Around this time of year, as the property market begins to pick up again, you’ll tend to find plenty of people touting that they have the next hot property market. They’ll claim that they have the magic bullet to your residential property investment woes, that they can point you in the perfect direction to make […]
How to adjust your budget after refinancing
Refinancing your home loan can be an extremely useful tool for consolidating debt or releasing equity in your home, but it can also have a major effect on your household budget. Refinancing could seriously affect how and where you spend your money. Here are a few things to consider to start you off on your […]
Estate planning: not just for the wealthy
Most people don’t like to think about estate planning. In fact according to studies, almost half of all Australians don’t have a legal will. Yet if you have some assets; such as your home or some nice furniture or collectibles you still need an estate plan, especially if any minor children are involved. Contrary to […]
2016 Federal Budget summary
3 May 2016 Treasurer Scott Morrison has handed down his first Federal Budget—the Coalition Government’s third. The winners are low and middle income earners and small business owners. There are significant changes to superannuation that could warrant further discussion with your financial adviser. Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be […]
3 questions to ask yourself before refinancing your loan
Refinancing your loan has a number of benefits, but just like any major financial decision, you have to ensure that you are doing enough research and asking yourself the right questions. As mortgage brokers, we want to make sure that you get the right loan for the right reasons. To get you started on your […]
Seeing big capital gains? Time to consider refinancing
You might be thinking that renewing your loan is an odd idea if you already have plenty of equity due to capital gains. However, there is one single acronym that will change your mind: LVR, or loan-to-value ratio. Have you calculated your new LVR lately? What is my LVR? This ratio is what lenders use […]
How can I use the equity in my property?
After a few years of solid, consistent repayments, you might find yourself with plenty of equity in your home. You may be considering refinancing your current home loan in order to use that capital, rather than having to wait until you sell. However, the idea of a “second mortgage” might be putting you off. After […]
What to consider when discussing Estate Planning with your loved ones.
Broaching the subject of your passing or potentially becoming mentally incapacitated is a sensitive and difficult discussion and not necessarily one that those close to you will be keen to have. So, while it’s important to discuss your final wishes concerning the distribution of your assets with close family, it’s also critical to make sure […]
Common Myths about Life Insurance
Most of us like to think that insurance is a set and forget proposition that we pay for without too much consideration. However no one can predict the future. Illness or injury can strike at any time with potentially devastating consequences. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that medical illnesses are the leading causes of […]