Having a home loan pre-approval in place before you go house hunting puts you in the best position to buy a property. Not only are you signaling to sellers that you’re ready to move with pre-approved finance to show you’re serious, a pre-approval can significantly improve your bargaining power too and is essential if you want to bid on a property at auction. Not sure where to start? Here are 4 steps to securing pre-approval.

While the thought of retirement might be exciting, for many it’s also fraught with some concerns, particularly around affordability. The days of relying on your “super” or the Government old-age pension are no longer the norm, which is why having a retirement plan in place is a non-negotiable. Investing in property could be the kickstart your retirement plan needs to supplement you in leaner times. But before you jump in, take a look at the pros and cons of property investment.

To boost new construction projects in the wake of COVID-19, the Federal Government will give eligible Australian homeowners a $25,000 grant to go towards a new home build or a substantial renovation of an existing home. The scheme is aimed at incentivising homeowners to invest in their properties while also providing much needed demand for the construction sector. Read on to find out if you are eligible for the grant.

If you missed out on the initial release of the Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, there is help at hand. Government has announced a further 10,000 spaces under the scheme will be made available for first home buyers from 1 July 2020 but warns that these are likely to fill up fast. Read on to find out how this scheme could help you into your first home.

The Australian Government’s Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme is set to help small and medium sized businesses impacted by COVID-19 with new initiatives and investment. The Government will be guaranteeing 50 per cent of new unsecured loans up to $250,000 . What’s more, with non-bank lenders like Prospa on board, business owners could have access to lending much faster.

For many Australian homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19, pushing pause on mortgage repayments has been a helpful option. For others, extending their loan term or reducing repayments has provided some much-needed financial and personal relief. But as we start to see an improvement in the current situation – and some definite “light at the end of the tunnel” – now is a great time to reassess your financial situation and put in place some plans to get back on track financially.

Good nutrition has never been more important than right now. Maintaining a healthy diet is a vital part of supporting a strong immune system, one that is able to fight off infections. Understandably, in the face of a crisis, many of us reach for the junk food rather than a healthy snack. To help you stay focused on making health a priority in these challenging times, here are three steps you can take to keep good nutrition top of mind.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus is without doubt a human tragedy, affecting millions of people worldwide. But it also has a significant impact on the global economy and the way we do business. Understandably, businesses are having to adapt the way they work, moving towards more online and remote work. In the real estate space, mortgage lenders have been quick to announce specific mortgage relief and hardship policies to support those affected by the outbreak, while real estate agents now offer virtual tours of properties for sale and online auctions are the new norm.

In these uncertain times, many of us are wondering how we’re going to weather the financial implications of COVID-19. Home owners especially may want to consider ways to reduce home loan expenses to help ease their financial burden at this time. Whether it’s refinancing to a lower interest rate or extending your loan term, a home loan deferral or moving to an interest only loan, there’s no better time than right now to review your mortgage and consider these 4 ways you could reduce your home loan expenses.

Buying a home is for many Australians a rite of passage and a significant milestone. But it can also be an overwhelming process and incredibly challenging if you don’t know where to start. So that you can navigate the home buying process from start to finish, and make informed decisions along the way, we’ve compiled 3 useful tips for first home buyers.