What is negative gearing?

The ins and outs of negative gearing Although experienced investors probably know all about negative gearing, there are many Australians left scratching their heads. What is negative gearing and how does it work? Let’s take a look at the basics. What is it? When you buy an investment property and you take all income and…

Tips for buying property in 2016

Since restrictions on lending have come into play, buying property might seem a little bit more challenging. There are still investment opportunities across the country and buying property continues to be an achievable goal. Here are some tips if you’re preparing to buy in 2016. Do your homework Spend some time researching before you embark…

Tips for buying at auction

How to get auction ready It makes more sense today than ever before for home buyers to talk to a broker about securing their next property. Things are getting more complex every day with banks consistently changing interest rates and altering lending criteria in response to regulatory changes. This means that what’s right for one…

Fixed Rate vs. Variable interest rates

Interest rates may drop further – or they might stay stable. One thing that is for certain is that they will rise again at one point or another. At the moment interest rates are as competitive as we can remember them. With interest rates so low, choosing between fixed and variable loan products can be…

How to renovate like a pro

The ultimate goal of many property investors is to make a profit when the time comes to sell. For many property owners, renovating to add value might seem like a simple enough concept, but the reality is that it not only takes money, it takes knowledge and skill. We had a look at what it…

Get financially prepared for 2016

As we farewell another year, many of us will be looking forward to a well deserved break over the festive season. During the down time, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what you want to achieve financially in 2016. Here is how you can prepare before the hustle and bustle of the new…

Hidden renovation costs

When it comes to adding value to a property, renovations are one of the most popular ways to maximise the value of your home – and can be very lucrative when it comes time to sell. Before embarking on a renovation project, it’s important to budget. Often times there are unexpected costs that can blow…

How well do you budget?

When you’re paying off a mortgage, budgets matter. Knowing how much money is coming in and going out will not only help you manage your monthly repayments, it will also ease stress and give you confidence in your financial situation. So what makes a good budget? Here are three tips to organise your finances. Track…