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 you’re eligible and what…
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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 weigh up when making…
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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 own at least one…
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If you are concerned about servicing your loan, reach out to your mortgage broker for help. As Australians everywhere take a close look at their financial circumstances, mortgage brokers stand ready to lend a helping hand. Whether experiencing financial hardship through job loss, a reduction in work hours, or business disruption, an increasing number of…
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Taking a short-term break from paying off your mortgage isn’t a new idea, but as the bite of the COVID-19 pandemic grips harder and harder, more Australians are applying to do so. With the RBA’s cash rate held at a record low of 0.25%, what are the implications of pushing pause on your repayments? In…
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Building a new home that looks and feels just right – or making big changes to the place you live – is a goal for many. But it can be a more complicated process and a very different experience to buying an existing property. And it can require a specific type of financing – a…
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It’s never a bad idea to have a little help managing your money – and when you’ve got monthly mortgage repayments to make, balancing the books is extra important. There’s a great range of apps and tools designed to help you budget, save and track your finances. And we’ve put together a list of some…
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We’re currently in an unprecedented territory – a health/hygiene issue sparked strict social distancing protocols and lockdown. The consequence? All those businesses deemed as “non-essential” are now forced to shut shops/hibernate and employees were let go due to business revenue getting hit hard. Whilst government is diving into Quantitative Easing territory (like never before!) in…
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House prices are rising in Melbourne and Sydney – one of the desired effects of the RBA’s historically-low rates. But do low rates always lead to higher prices? Just weeks out from last Christmas, the RBA decision to keep rates steady in December at 0.75% didn’t come as a surprise. In fact, it suggests we’re…
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As the impact of COVID-19 continues to penetrate through our economics and unemployment continues to rise overnight, Australians who have got mortgages are now being placed in difficult financial situation as their income sources getting cut off. But extreme times comes with extreme measures! Thankfully under the direction of government, banks are providing repayment relief…
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