What you CAN borrow vs what you SHOULD borrow?

The amount you can borrow and the amount you should borrow are sometimes two very different things. Before you apply for a home loan, it makes sense to realistically assess your financial situation. Here’s how to do it. Understand your borrowing capacityGenerally speaking, your borrowing capacity – what you can borrow…
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Mortgages and relationship break up – some practical tips

Breaking up is a difficult thing to do. On top of the emotional impact, there are practical ramifications as well on finances. And as an unintended consequences of COVID-19 where couples are getting locked up together longer than ever, there are a lot more break ups than ever before. When there’s…
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How can you avoid loan default?

Late payments and loan defaults leave marks on a credit history that can complicate any effort to refinance or secure a loan in the future. Default can also lead to a home being repossessed and sold by the lender, so it’s very important to be aware how to avoid it. While…
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Self-employed and wanting to get into your dream home? Here’s how!

Self-employed borrowers come up against the challenge of not being able to simply present payslips and tax returns to back up their loan applications. But this need not stop you buying your dream home. Many lenders offer loans for self-employed borrowers who can’t hand over payslips and employment records. This means…
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“Open Banking” – what is it and how does it impact YOU?

The promise of “open banking” is big; a new, simpler way to share your personal financial data between banks, lenders and financial companies. It started on July 1. Here’s how it works and what it means to take back control of your data to get the best offers. Switching banks has…
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The ins & outs of HomeBuilder grant

As part of the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government’s HomeBuilder program provides eligible owner-occupiers – including first home buyers – with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home before the end of 2020. It can pay to check if…
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Historical Low Rates – is now the time to fix your mortgage?

Australia’s cash rate is now the lowest it has been in 23 years, a reaction initially to stunted economic growth and now to the impact of COVID-19 on the local and global economic landscape. As the uncharted negative interest rate zone looms, is it worth fixing your rate? Here’s what to…
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Making the most of your investment property at tax time

Come July 1 the annual tax window opens again. Property investors may have access to a wide range of tax benefits, but tax is a complicated matter. It pays to be across the details. Here’s how you could maximise your return, and what to watch out for. Over two million Australians…
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