Sean Breen

It’s important to look after the tenants in your investment property – it encourages them to stay long term and take care of your property. So how can you keep your tenants happy? By treating your property like a business and your tenants like valued customers. The tenant as customer The rental market in most Australian cities is tight, with plenty of renters looking for accommodation. But that doesn’t mean you have your tenants over a barrel. They pay good money to rent a property and in return they expect a clean, safe and well-maintained place to live. If you can keep your property in good order and your current tenants satisfied, you’ll save yourself the time and money it takes to find new
A white-label loan is essentially a home-branded loan, much like the home-branded products you see in the supermarket aisles. Like these products, white-label loans aim to deliver many of the same great features as bank-branded home loans, but for a lower cost to you the customer.  A trend seen in supermarkets over recent years has been not only an increase in the range of white-label options on offer, but also an increase in the quality of those products.  This trend has continued to the extent that white-label products are now frequently of equal, or near equal, quality as their branded counterparts. In the same way, banks across Australia provide ‘unbranded’ mortgage products to brokers, which increases the range of options within the market and
As parents, we want the best for our children, particularly when they’re making a major purchase. When it comes to buying their first home, knowing what government assistance is available can make all the difference. Read on to learn about the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in each state and territory. Watching your children buy their first home can be exciting – and overwhelming. You see them working hard to save that all-important deposit, looking at properties, and counting down the days until they can move into their own place. However, your kids’ ‘great Australian dream’ could actually happen sooner than you (and they) think. Thanks to government efforts to accelerate home ownership and boost the home building industry, first home buyers are now
It’s all too easy to rack up debt – credit cards, HECS, car loans – and may seem all too hard to pay it off. Debt can also have a big impact on how much money you can borrow for a home loan, so reducing your debt is essential when you set out to buy your first home. Here are seven steps you can take towards minimising your debt and moving into the property market. 1. Work out how much you’re spending Create a spreadsheet and track your expenses for a month – record everything so you can see where your money is going. You may be spending much more than you think on some things – more than you can really afford 2. Decide
Savvy borrowers have an endgame in sight before they even apply for a home loan, and with the right mortgage offset account, they could win that game even more quickly. Home buyers usually focus on the here and now, not the distant future. Rather than the size of their loan balance in 10 or 20 years, they are more likely to think about how much they can borrow and the kind of house they can afford. But smart borrowers know the future matters. The years roll around and it’s always better to pay off a mortgage before its term and pay less interest to the bank. The good news is that if a mortgage offset account is right for a borrower, it can help
Buying your own home remains the great Australian dream – and purchasing a second property may help you take your wealth further. Whether you’re building your property investment portfolio, buying a holiday house or supporting a family member, there are plenty of things to think about before you take that next step. Consider your cashflow Property tends to be a long-term investment, so do your sums to make sure you can afford the ongoing repayments on two mortgages. Also think about any major life changes on the horizon. For example, you may be planning to expand your family, or you might need to support a parent in the coming years. Get to know the market and location Research what’s happening in the current market
There are certain things to look out for when selecting and applying for a loan for your investment property. Here we look at the main differences, the most popular loan types, and how to get the best mortgage for your situation. Interest-only, fixed, variable, offset – finding the investment home loan that’s right for you can seem like a minefield of financial jargon and conditions. The key to finding the right loan is to have a clear investment strategy: are you going to renovate and sell, or stay on for the long term and ride the property wave? Fixed interest rate loan Arranging a mortgage with a fixed interest rate gives you certainty – you’ll know up-front what you need to repay annually. This
These days finding the perfect location to buy a property – and some great options for decorating it – is as easy as flicking through your phone. This list of our favourite Australian location and decorating apps will help you both before and after you move in.     Houzz Category: Interior design and renovation Buying a house is just the start. Once you moved in, you’re going to want to make it feel like home. If you’re looking for inspiration, Houzz is a one-stop interior design shop. Highlights include eye-popping photos, helpful articles, an online furniture store, community forums and recommendations for professional help. A wellspring of ideas, tips, recommendations and suggestions for turning your house into a home, Houzz has every room
Whether you’re affected by fluctuating interest rates or by a change in your personal circumstances, the pressure of maintaining regular mortgage loan repayments can be overwhelming at times. Here is some information to help you understand the available alternatives. What to do before it gets worse If you’re about to miss a mortgage payment or already have, rest assured there is help available. Taking a big breath and raising the issue with your lender is the best thing you can do – in fact, the earlier you do that, the more options your lender will have to assist you. Failing to resolve the situation may force the lender into taking action against you. This can include: Fees being applied. A higher default interest rate
A good mortgage broker can be the key to your property portfolio success. Here’s how to find one. When it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, it pays to have some professional help. But how do you find a good mortgage broker, and what can they offer? Here’s what to look for. Product knowledge and lender partnerships A good mortgage broker is able to offer suitable product solutions due to the expansive panel of lenders and mortgage products available to them. Brokers have long standing relationships with a range of lenders. They stay up-to-date on the latest features and loans available so that they can give their clients the best solutions for their individual circumstances. Personal rapport A winning
Looking to enter the property market and worried about how you’re going to secure your first home loan? It’s time to start making your money work for you so you can land that loan. Qualifying for a home loan isn’t always an easy path. Aggressive interest rates, competition in the market and less than rigorous saving habits can often push people out of the property game completely – but it shouldn’t. Saving enough money for a sufficient deposit is possible with the right guidance and plenty of diligence. Budget, budget, budget! It goes without saying that creating an airtight budget – and sticking to it – is key when you’re looking to save money for a home loan. If you’ve done your homework or
Sure, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a scrappy yard can be an instant turn-off to potential home buyers, even if the house is a dream on the inside. We’ve pulled together some savvy landscaping tips to make sure your home is picture perfect for when you’re ready to sell. The first thing to keep in mind when revamping your garden is that it has to appear well presented and easy to maintain. People want to enjoy the outdoor space, not feel like it’s a burden. Freshen up If your garden is in reasonable shape but just needs a little spruce up, start with the basics. Mow the lawn and trim the edges, or even lay new lawn if necessary. Get

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