Finding a New Home Requires Persistence

Apr 21, 2023 2:55:31 PM

First home buyers and existing homeowners understand first-hand the frustration and angst that comes with finding a new home. Attending property inspections and auctions week after week only to miss out on the one that you want is both exhausting and demotivating. Persistence may be a key factor to successfully buying a home, but how do you keep up the motivation when you fail every time? Here are some ways that could help.


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Topics: Home Loan, First Home Buyer, Buying and selling

Challenges of “The Sandwich Generation”

Apr 21, 2023 2:51:29 PM

How Australians live together is changing, as social and demographic factors have led to many more people living in households with more than one generation of adults. Called “The Sandwich Generation”, this group of people face considerable financial and mental strain, “sandwiched” between the challenges of raising their own children or grandchildren while caring for ageing parents. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some tips that could help.


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Topics: Retirement, Financial Health, Health and Wellbeing

Preparing for End of Financial Year

Apr 11, 2023 9:01:00 AM

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, businesses across Australia begin preparing to wrap up their bookkeeping, file tax returns, and plan for the new financial year. Many small businesses dread this time of year, but with a little preparation, it is possible to take the stress out of EOFY. Now’s a good time to get your accounts in order, check what you can and can’t claim, meet your superannuation requirements, diarise your tax due dates, and be aware of potential tax scams.


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Topics: Australia tax, EOFY, Financial Advice

Building Sustainable Homes

Apr 6, 2023 8:52:33 AM

Across the globe, climate change continues to have a devastating and widespread effect on the environment, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events, including flooding, drought, and fires, impacting lives and livelihoods. Recognising the urgency of reducing our impact on the environment, environmentally conscious homeowners are incorporating energy and water efficient features into building sustainable homes that save money and reduce demand on precious natural resources.


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Topics: First Home Buyer, Health and Wellbeing, Financial Advice

Maximising The Sale of Your Property

Mar 21, 2023 4:43:11 PM

If you’re preparing to sell your property, there are a few things you can do to increase its appeal and achieve the highest sale price possible. Whether you’re selling your home to buy something bigger, to downsize to a smaller place, or to add to your growing property portfolio, when it comes to selling property, well-presented homes tend to sell quicker and often for a higher price. Check out these 8 tips from sister company, Harcourts, on how to maximise the sale of your property.


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Topics: Home Improvement, Buying and selling, Property Advice

Should You Buy Property With Friends?

Mar 21, 2023 4:38:17 PM

Co-buying property in Australia by pooling resources with family or friends is one way to boost purchasing power and tackle affordability issues stopping many first home buyers and solo buyers from entering the market. But without careful consideration, co-buying can be a minefield of legal battles that potentially ruins relationships. Follow these 3 tips to know what pitfalls to avoid and how to make co-buying work.


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Topics: Mortgage Broker, Financial Advice, Buying and selling

What’s Your Credit Score?

Mar 13, 2023 2:01:55 PM

Credit scores are an indicator of how you manage your money and repay your debt, based on personal and financial information kept in your credit record. When you apply for credit or a loan, lenders use credit scores to determine whether to approve your application or to lend you money. Knowing your credit score can help you negotiate better credit deals or understand why a credit application may have been declined. If you’re unsure what your credit score is, or how to access your credit report, here’s a helpful guide.


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Topics: Debt Consolidation, Financial Health, Budgeting

5 Things to do Before Your Fixed Interest Rate Rolls Over

Mar 13, 2023 1:56:46 PM

Australians already struggling with a rising cost of living are bracing for more pain, as many homeowners will see ultra-low fixed rate mortgages expire in 2023. Thousands of home loans taken out in mid-2020 are due to roll over before the end of the year at much higher interest rates, with some homeowners facing repayments that could soar by up to 65 per cent. Get budget-ready for a fixed interest rate roll over and avoid paying “loyalty tax” with these 5 tips.


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Topics: Interest Rates, Financial Health, Budgeting

Landlord Insurance – A ‘Nice to Have’ or a ‘Necessity’?

Feb 27, 2023 2:34:18 PM

Landlord insurance can be complicated and confusing. Sometimes it appears to only offer coverage in very specific circumstances, which can be quickly undone by technicalities. To help better understand it, we chatted to our friends at EBM RentCover (one of Australia’s leading landlord insurance specialists) to determine whether Landlord Insurance is a ‘nice to have’ or a ‘necessity’. We’ll let you be the judge…


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Topics: Home Insurance, Landlords Insurance, Rent Insurance

3 Steps To Curing A Christmas Debt Hangover

Feb 17, 2023 5:48:05 PM

The post-holiday season can be a tough time for many Australians, as credit card statements arrive and a true assessment of Christmas overspending is made. If you’re facing a Christmas Debt Hangover after overspending during the holidays, the next few months will be critical to ensuring you get your finances back on track again. To help you manage your Christmas debt, and to ensure you avoid overspending this year, here are 3 tips from Mortgage Express.


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Topics: Debt Consolidation, Financial Health, Budgeting