Young Australians are losing their shot at home ownership due to underestimating their living expenses on mortgage applications, with some understating monthly spending by more than $1,000. According to research from Money.com.au, one in five homeowners significantly underestimated their living expenses when applying for a mortgage. Within this group, 12%...
Expanded Home Guarantee Scheme to open doors for more first home buyers
Australia’s first home buyers will now have access to a wider range of suburbs and more attainable price points, thanks to major changes to the federal government’s Home Guarantee Scheme, set to take effect from 1 October 2025. The reforms aim to better reflect the realities of the current housing...
6 things to know about SMSFs and property
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) offer Australians greater control over their retirement savings, and property investment is one way people can take advantage of this flexibility. But before diving in, it's important to understand the key factors that come into play. Here are six considerations when exploring SMSF with property. 1....
3 conversations couples should have before getting a home loan
Purchasing a home as a couple is a major financial and emotional milestone. Beyond simply owning property together, it signifies a long-term commitment to shared financial and lifestyle goals. It’s vital that couples have open communication and clear expectations before applying for a mortgage to avoid future challenges. Here are...
How often should I review my loans?
If you currently have a home loan and haven’t reviewed it for a few years, it might be time to compare your options. Experts generally recommend checking the health of your home loan each year to make sure it remains the right fit for your circumstances and the ever-changing economic...
5 common mistakes investors make
Property investing can be a great way to build wealth over the long term, but there are some traps new investors can fall into. It’s important to approach property investing with a strategic mindset to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls. Here are five common mistakes investors make...
What is the fixed rate mortgage cliff, and how is it going to impact Australian households?
What is the fixed rate mortgage cliff? The fixed rate mortgage cliff is a term used to describe the end of the fixed-rate period of a home loan. When you take out a fixed-rate mortgage, you agree to a set interest rate for a specific period, usually between one and...
Should You Direct More Investing Dollars Towards Paying Down Your Mortgage?
As interest rates continue to rise, many borrowers are now pondering over the question of whether they should direct their investment dollars towards paying down their mortgage or invest in other options like their share portfolio. The recent hike in the cash rate by the Reserve Bank of Australia has...
3 things to consider before investing in regional areas
Over the last few years, demand and values in regional Australia has exploded. With strong capital growth and tight vacancy rates driving up rents, more and more investors have been looking to regional areas. While many regional areas have been strong performers, there are a number of things you should...
How to manage money as a couple
When new couples get married and start living together, one of the first things they need to consider is how they will manage their finances. For singles, your financial situation is relatively straightforward – but when there are two of you with different financial backgrounds and different approaches to managing...