Want to build wealth but not sure where to start? It might surprise you to learn that your home equity may be the key. Leveraging its equity not only secures your property but also opens avenues for substantial investment opportunities, paving the path toward an enriched financial future. Deciphering Equity...
What Do I Need for Mortgage Pre-approval?
Buying a home is an exciting and transformative journey, but it comes with a few hoops to jump. One of the most crucial steps on this path is securing pre-approval from lenders. While it isn't mandatory and doesn't guarantee your final loan approval, pre-approval can offer you invaluable insights and...
When Does Refinancing Make Sense?
Refinancing has been a hot topic lately, largely thanks to increasing interest rates over the last 12 months. But it's not just a buzzword or a magic fix; refinancing your mortgage is a financial decision that can significantly impact your future. Which begs the question: When does refinancing make sense?...
The Ultimate Guide to House Inspections
Buying a house is a thrilling journey, but amidst the excitement, there's a critical step you must never overlook: the house inspection. Just like the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover," this principle applies to house hunting as well. In this comprehensive guide, we'll unravel the art of...
Five must-ask questions for your mortgage broker
Whether you’re looking to buy for the first time or are already a homeowner, finding a trusted and knowledgeable mortgage broker to secure the right home loan for your needs is crucial. The application process can be overwhelming, so make the most of your broker’s expertise by asking them the...
What first home buyers need to know about lender’s mortgage insurance
Australian property prices might be falling, but getting on the property ladder can still be challenging. The biggest hurdle? Saving a 20% deposit – which can take years of scrimping, particularly if you’re paying rent simultaneously. However, if you are prepared to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI), you might be...
What does the federal budget mean for Australian real estate?
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered Labor's first federal budget in almost a decade, in which he emphasised the government was making “hard decisions for hard times.” But despite this, there was one eye-catching announcement for Australia’s real estate industry: a new National Housing Accord, which sets an ‘aspirational’ target of...
Now might be first home buyers’ best chance to break into the market
It’s not been called the great Australian dream for nothing. But in recent years, buying your first home has become increasingly harder. The biggest challenge? Saving a deposit – with the most recent ANZ CoreLogic Housing Affordability Report finding it takes, on average, more than 11 years for a first...
Why higher interest rates might ultimately benefit homebuyers
The Reserve Bank of Australia might have raised the cash rate by 250 basis points since May to 2.60% – the quickest tightening in nearly three decades – but a senior central bank official has claimed higher interest rates could ultimately benefit new homebuyers. In a recent speech, Jonathan Kearns, the...
How refinancing can help you dodge the full impact of rate rises
With all four major banks and many other home loan lenders passing on in full the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest interest rate to their variable-rate borrowers, many homeowners are facing yet another jump in their home finance repayments – the fifth in as many months. However, existing variable borrowers will...