House prices have surged, meaning hidden costs associated with buying a home have jumped too. If you’re on the hunt for a new property, it’s worth checking your budget still covers the extras that can add tens of thousands to your costs. In the past two years, the average house…
It may be an admirable trait in personal relationships, but in financial matters, loyalty can come at a cost. Sticking with the same loan longer than three years can cost borrowers thousands, with competition to win business resulting in new customers paying lower rates than existing ones. This so-called loyalty…
In a year when just about every real estate record was broken, home buyers turned to mortgage brokers in droves. More than two-thirds – a record 66.9 per cent – of residential mortgages were written by brokers in 2021.1 That’s a leap of 6.8 per cent on the year before…
13 tips to trading up in a hot property market. Climbing the property ladder can be a tricky manoeuvre in boom times but there are some simple steps to put you ahead of the pack. 1. Sell then buy, or buy then sell? It’s an age-old dilemma but you need…
Lenders are helping parents boost their children’s buying power without putting their house or relationships on the line. Despite a patchy customer service history, the Bank of Mum and Dad is soaring to new heights as the property market booms. And no wonder – conditions are perfect to drive inter-generational…
Younger Australians are striking out in the regions. Where are the hotspots and could it be right for you? People have turned their backs on capital cities in record numbers during the past year, seeking a simpler and cheaper life in regional Australia. COVID-19 has not only unshackled workers from…
Hide in a cupboard, launch an escape pod or retreat to the garage – you may have more options than you think to create a peaceful home office. If we’ve learned anything in the past 12 months, it’s that study nooks no longer cut the mustard. They may be great…
Despite dire predictions, the Australian property market is booming. How did it happen and where to from here. Feeling richer? The average Australian homeowner has an extra $60,000 equity in their pockets, thanks to a real estate boom no one saw coming. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the average…
A new way to quickly and securely share your banking data could help you take more control of your finances. With all the news about Covid last year and its financial impact – interest rates, loan repayment pauses, financial relief packages, government building incentives and so on – you may…
Some tips and tricks to paying off your home loan sooner. Buying a home is likely the most significant financial transaction you’ll ever make. So it stands to reason that your home loan will be your largest ongoing financial obligation. Imagine what life would be like without that monthly or…