Yearly Archives: 2019

4 Ways to avoid risk when buying property this Winter It may be a buyer’s market, but when property prices are falling, buyer confidence often goes with it. However, the possibility of paying too much is not the only risk a home buyer or property investor can face when market conditions are undergoing significant change, as they are now. In this article, we outline some of the other potential pit-falls…

What does a ‘buyer’s market’ mean for you? Some property market analysts are predicting average national home values could fall by 11 per cent in 2019 – and say home values in some suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney have already fallen by more than 7 per cent since they reached their peak in late 2017.  Whilst this may seem like gloom and doom to some people, all over the country…

Pre-approval is a green light from a lender. Put simply, it confirms you’re eligible to apply for a home loan up to a certain amount. Essentially, the lender checks your financial circumstances, to decide if you’ll meet their criteria and can afford to repay a mortgage. A home loan pre-approval usually lasts for three to six months and gives you a set budget during your property search. Here’s why home…

Your credit report paints a picture of your life as a responsible bill payer and borrower. Under the new Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) regime introduced this year, it has increased in importance because lenders will be required to take it into consideration when approving your home loan. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep yours in good shape.Last month, we explained the recent changes to credit reporting under CCR.…

Are you thinking about buying a home and wondering how you’ll cover the mortgage repayments and still have a life? Remember Cousin Jimmy mentioning he was looking for a new pad? Sure, he’s a little ‘unusual’ with his back-scratcher collection and all, but if living with his bizarre hand gadgets means you’ll score some help with the rent, then why not?Taking on a boarder could be a viable way to…

Bidding at an auction by phone is becoming more popular. You may have noticed these bidders – mysteriously whispering into their phones and then bellowing out bids with unwavering confidence. Whilst some of these people are buyer’s agents, others are just experienced property buyers bidding on behalf of friends or family. Why bid at an auction by telephone? There are many reasons why you may prefer to bid at an…

What comes first? 2018 is going to be a big year for love and marriage in Australia – if you’ve found the one, congratulations! But what’s next – a home or a wedding? It’s a common scenario facing many couples – do you prioritise the wedding over the home, buy the home first and get married later, or save for both at the same time? The answer depends on your…

Will buying a smaller investment property provide a good ROI? A small property could potentially make a great investment, provided you choose the right one. The key to success with any investment property is thorough research. In this article, we take a look at how to research and choose the right small space property to give you the investment returns you’re looking for. Pros – why choose a small space…