Whilst many of us have mortgages that will span over a period of thirty years, there are also many of us who don’t have a loan protection policy in place. Whether it’s because we’re not aware that it exists or we’ve heard about it but don’t really understand what it is and therefore don’t see…
Gearing up to attend an auction for a property of interest can be both exciting and nerve-racking, so being well prepared is the first step. To avoid disappointment and potentially extra costs down the track, it’s wise to have a pre-purchase inspection done to the property, which will detect building defects or other issues like…
As part of the approval process when applying for any type of finance, the lender will run a thorough check on the applicant’s credit file to determine their eligibility to secure funds and gain insight to their credit track record. This will show each time someone has attempted to borrow credit, what their borrowing…
If you have taken out a home loan and have been paying it off for some time, you may have access to some equity in your home. So, what is equity? Explained simply, equity is the difference between the value of your property (usually market value) and the amount that is owed on it. For…
Buying your first home is a great achievement. Understanding the extra fees and costs of buying your home, that can surprise some buyers, helps to make the experience as straightforward and enjoyable as possible. Be aware not all home loans are as transparent as they first appear and hidden or unexpected fees can often apply.…
Even though we spend a great deal of time working with home loans, our brokers are a useful resource when you’re looking to borrow funds for other purposes. It’s our job to explore your options, identify the loans that support your specific needs, negotiate on your behalf with the lender, and then help you through…
When it comes to financing your next property purchase, it’s becoming more and more confusing with banks continually updating their own individual lending criteria. A mortgage broker can not only help you secure the right loan, they can help you understand the complexities of the current market. Here’s just three things they can do. They’ll…
Presenting your home for sale It can be challenging to make your home look fresh and inviting in the depths of a rainy winter. When you’re selling and getting ready for open for inspections, use these tips to get your house looking buyer-ready. Make a good impression First impressions count with buyers so it’s important…
Interest only is exactly what it says it is: it’s a loan product that allows you to repay the interest accrued on the loan. During an interest only period, you don’t pay off any of the principal loan amount. The main benefit of an interest only loan is that your repayments are lower, however, in…
Your home loan is most likely stretched over a period of 25-30 years, and interest rates will almost certainly fluctuate significantly over the life of your loan. Just look at how things have changed in the last 10 years – the Reserve Bank’s cash rate has fluctuated between 2.00 per cent and 7.25 per cent.…