If past Olympic Games are anything to go by, hosting the 2032 Olympic Games will stimulate the host city’s economic recovery and create thousands of jobs for locals. What’s more, off the back of major infrastructure being planned ahead of the games, economists are predicting a significant rise in house values across Queensland’s south-east corridor, with a number of property hot spots already being identified.

For many Australians, the key to a comfortable retirement lies in being mortgage-free. Yet many homeowners struggle to pay back their mortgage ahead of retirement, while some even end up with a bigger loan than when they started. If you’re working towards being mortgage-free, there are a few strategies that can help you get there. In this guide, we outline 3 steps to being mortgage-free.

Mortgage stress. That’s the term used to describe the financial stress felt by those homeowners who devote more than 30 per cent of their income to paying a mortgage. Those dealing with mortgage stress may be struggling financially, finding it-increasingly harder to make ends meet, living from pay check to pay check. If you’re facing a similar situation, here’s a useful guide to recognizing mortgage stress, and some ways to help you tackle it.

Tens of millions of Australians are currently affected by the extended lockdown restrictions in New South Wales and Victoria, many of whom will be unable to work or earn an income during lockdown. Along with a host of Government support packages targeting those businesses impacted by a loss of earnings, lenders are stepping up to assist their customers affected by tightened lockdown restrictions. Read on to find out what support may be available to you.

As Australia continues to deal with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country, Government has announced an increase in the COVID-19 Disaster Payments for those affected by Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots. For those outside the declared hotspots, who may still be affected by lockdown restrictions, states and territories are also providing financial assistance. Here’s a brief synopsis of the support you may be entitled to.

On 28 July 2021, federal government, in conjunction with NSW and Victoria state governments, announced that it would be extending new support packages to businesses impacted by extended lockdowns. And more recently, South Australia and Queensland state governments have also offered support. If your business has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, read on to find a brief snapshot of the financial assistance or other types of relief you may be eligible for.

Over the past year and a bit, our lives have changed irrevocably. Dealing with a pandemic – and the resulting economic and social fallout – has dominated much of our energy and attention. But importantly, the lessons we’ve learnt over the time spent in lockdown and during the pandemic could pay off for years to come. We asked three Mortgage Express brokers to share some of their learnings. Here’s what they said.

With international travel closed right now – and potentially for a good part of this year – Australians are turning to local and regional travel this holiday season. Not only is it a fantastic way to see our beautiful country, it’s also an opportunity to support local, those businesses that may be struggling because of the economic impact of COVID-19. We asked some of the Mortgage Express brokers to tell us about their holiday plans, and we hope you feel inspired to get out and explore your own backyard too!

The number of Australian consumers using buy now, pay later platforms has nearly doubled in a year, according to a review undertaken by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). But with one in five consumers struggling to make repayments, there is a growing concern about vulnerable consumers facing financial hardship as a result of taking on too much debt. Consumer advocates are now calling for more regulation around this type of credit.

Divorce or separation is an incredibly stressful time. Made even more so by having to split the family home or buy out your partner. Deciding who gets what often leads to acrimony and upset, making things messy and complicated. Whether you decide to buy out your partner or sell the family home and split the profits, it’s vital you’re absolutely clear on how each of these options could impact you financially.