If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably heard of the idea of ‘refinancing’ your mortgage. Essentially, refinancing means securing a new home loan that repays and replaces your existing one.   You may consider refinancing your mortgage to lock in a lower interest rate or take advantage of better loan terms or features such as a redraw facility or flexible rates. You may want to access home equity to invest in properties, shares or a managed fund. Or you may be looking to consolidate debt into a single payment.   Refinancing can be an excellent option for many homeowners, it’s not […]

With Melbourne property prices the second highest in Australia, many of us are investing interstate to get our foot on the property ladder. And while this can be an excellent way to access more affordable property with a strong return, it comes with its fair share of challenges. So if you’re looking at buying property interstate, consider these tips first: 1. Do your research Thorough research is vital to any smart property investment. That’s especially true when you’re buying in an area in which you’re unfamiliar. Start with a broad search of Australian real estate markets. Look at trusted sites […]

Buying an investment property can be an excellent way to grow your long-term wealth. It can also offer some welcome tax benefits. But as with any investment, buying real estate comes with its fair share of risk. That’s why we’ve put together our top 10 tips for setting yourself up for property investment success.   Know your budget   Calculate how much you can afford to borrow before starting your property search. Besides fortnightly or monthly mortgage repayments, consider upfront costs including stamp duty, legal costs and immediate property improvements. And any ongoing expenses such as property maintenance, rates, utilities, […]

In today’s competitive and ever changing mortgage market, its pays to review your home loan regularly to work out if you’re getting the best deal for your needs. And with Australia’s recent interest rate hikes, now is a good time to assess whether to stick with your existing mortgage or refinance. Here we look at 5 reasons why refinancing your mortgage could be the way to go. 1. Pay a lower interest rate Locking in a lower interest rate is why many people opt to refinance their mortgage. And with so many lenders and products to choose from, there’s a […]

If you’re looking to build your dream home or renovate an existing home, chances are you’ll need some help paying for the construction. The good news is you may be able to secure a special type of home loan known as a construction loan to help you achieve your goals. What is a construction loan? A construction loan is a specialised loan that covers the cost of building a new home, renovating an existing home or knocking down and rebuilding a home. How do construction loans work? A construction loan is different to a standard home loan, where you generally […]

Saving for a deposit and finding your dream property are only part of the journey to securing a mortgage and buying a home. There are plenty of other things you’ll need to consider, and navigating the home loan landscape can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a first home buyer. To make the process of buying your new home as stress-free as possible, we’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about getting a home loan and buying a property. Should I use a mortgage broker or a bank? Mortgage brokers or home loan brokers […]