Knowing what a property is worth is central to avoiding paying too much for it. Set a benchmark Comparing nearby properties that have sold recently is the best way to assess an acceptable price for the property you are looking at and provides a valuable bargaining tool when you are negotiating with a seller or… Read more about How to avoid paying too much for a home
Urgent maintenance is an unavoidable aspect of being a landlord, so having a cash buffer set aside will help you deal with any unexpected problems. When renting out an investment property, having access to extra cash is vital for two reasons (1) to cover the costs of maintaining the property, giving it the best chance… Read more about Why property investors need savings
Offset accounts and redraw facilities work in similar ways; they both allow you to reduce the balance of your home loan, and therefore the interest charged, by applying extra money to your debt. Redraw facilities allow you to deposit spare income into your home loan account, allowing you to redraw a sum equal to the… Read more about Explainer: how redraw and offset accounts can save you money
So, you’re thinking of buying your first residential investment property? There are a few things to consider before making the move. Here are our top 10 tips for avoiding potential difficulties and ensuring success. (1) Know your goal Understanding your financial objectives is key to finding the right investment property. The actual property itself is… Read more about 10 tips for choosing an investment property
When people think of buying an investment property, many only think locally. Investing in a property interstate could possibly be a smarter idea, potentially resulting in a better return on your investment. it may also be a potential way to snaffle a bargain. You could be buying into an area with greater potential capital growth… Read more about Investing interstate
For those getting ready to stride into the world of home ownership, the uncertainties of pre-approval can cast a shadow of doubt over an otherwise exciting time. When is it necessary? How long does it last? And what does it involve, exactly? Pre-approval is a lender’s assessment of your likelihood of being approved for an… Read more about Explainer: Home loan pre-approval
Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan, but there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest rate and making the change. Before making the switch, ensure the savings you could make outweigh the fees involved. Here… Read more about Exit costs when refinancing
With interest rates at an all-time low, taking the option of locking in an interest rate on your home loan to guard against possible future fluctuation may be attractive. However, it pays to know the ins and outs of fixed-rate loans before committing to one. When purchasing a property, borrowers can decide between fixed-interest loans… Read more about Explainer: fixed-rate loans
Reducing the life of your loan isn’t difficult; there are many simple things you can do to cut years off your mortgage. Here are some tips that will help you be mortgage-free sooner than planned. Small extra repayments One of the most obvious ways to pay off your home loan quicker is to make extra… Read more about How to pay off your home loan faster and save big bucks
New government regulations mean interest-only loans are on the decline. Given the changes, it may be time to reconsider your own loan structure. Rewind a few years and many people would have confidently assured you that an interest-only loan – a home loan on which you only have to make interest payments for a set… Read more about Why some interest-only borrowers are keen to switch
With the property boom of recent years and the popularity of TV renovation shows like The Block and House Rules, increasing numbers of Australians have been ‘buying to flip’ – buying a property, renovating it and selling it at a profit. Buying to flip can be lucrative when property prices are rising rapidly, but is… Read more about Is buying to flip still viable in today’s market?
Entering the property market is no easy feat for a first homebuyer, but even parents who aren’t prepared to hand over cash for a deposit may help by being a guarantor on a loan. Before taking the plunge however, it’s crucial to be aware of the implications involved. Here are three questions to ask yourself… Read more about Is a family guarantee right for you?
