In Australia, more than half of all home loans are written by mortgage brokers, while over 80 per cent of property investors choose to work with a mortgage broker, according to the September 2017 PIPA Annual Investor Sentiment Survey. Read on to find out how mortgage brokers are making a difference when it comes to securing the preferred home loan, and learn our tips for choosing a mortgage broker.

When it comes to choosing a home loan, interest rate is not the only thing to consider. Loan features – like the ability to make extra repayments, a line of credit, an off-set account, or repayment holidays – are just as important. To help you understand what features you could be offered by your lender, we’ve outlined some of the more popular options.

Reverse mortgages are still a relative unknown in Australia, making up just $2.8 billion of the total $1,494 billion in residential lending. But for many retirees, reverse mortgages offer a solution to the “asset rich, cash poor” problem, providing a way to live comfortably in retirement without having to sell off the family home. Read on to find out what you need to know about reverse mortgages before deciding if this is the right option for you.

On 31 March 2017, APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) announced new rules that would limit interest-only lending to 30 per cent of banks’ portfolios. The four major banks responded in June 2017 by hiking interest rates on interest-only loans, while reducing rates for customers making principal and interest repayments. As lenders continue to make out-of-cycle interest rate moves, it’s vital borrowers review their home loans more frequently.

A startling report has revealed a growing number of Australian retirees are entering retirement with a sizeable mortgage. Having to use their superannuation to pay off leftover mortgage debt could leave them without enough funds to provide for a comfortable retirement. Will you be mortgage-free by retirement age?

 A housing affordability crisis

Across most of Australia and New Zealand house prices have jumped considerably over the past 10 years (2006-2016). There’s no doubt that a lot of our wealth is locked up in real estate. But how do you access that wealth? And how do you make your biggest asset work harder for you? Read on to find out how you can make your home equity work for you.

As property prices continue to rise, buyers are finding smarter ways to get onto the property ladder. Sharing a mortgage with friends or family is a viable option for many buyers, and it’s gaining popularity amongst first-home buyers who may be struggling to enter the property market. Could it be the right option for you?

With house prices reaching record-high levels, the amount of debt that home owners are having to take on is quite staggering when compared to previous generations. If you’re fortunate enough to own your own home, you’ve likely already experienced some form of mortgage stress. Have a look at these simple strategies that will help you take control of your mortgage and relieve some of the mortgage stress you may be feeling.

New year, new home? Whether you’re planning an extensive renovation or a simple freshen up to your home, before you rush out and start renovating it’s a good idea to think about these few things.

The beginning of a new year is a good time to review your household budget. Perhaps you’ve overspent during the festive period and your debt has mounted up. You may be considering debt consolidation or other ways to cut back on expenses. If you’re struggling with debt or you find yourself constantly borrowing money from family or friends, it’s time to take control of your financial situation. Refinancing your mortgage could be the solution.