Educate Me

Stamp duty explained

If you’ve never bought property before, you may not understand what stamp duty is. In a nutshell, stamp duty is a tax. It’s not very sexy, but it’s one of those things that goes hand in hand with purchasing a property. Navigating stamp duty can…

Labor’s policies helping aspiring homeowners

In May, Labor was voted in at the Federal Election. If you’re an aspiring homeowner, the change of Government could mean new opportunities to help get you into your own home sooner rather than later.  In this article, we cover some of Labor’s key policies…

What’s a fair price for a property?

How do you know how much to pay for a property? As a buyer, it can be tricky. Offer too much and you’ll end up paying more than market value. Offer too little and you risk missing out on your dream home or investment property….

Who’s who in a property purchase?

If you’re buying property for the first time, you may be a little confused about which professionals you’ll need on your team. Surrounding yourself with a network of supportive experts could help make the buying process a lot smoother and stress-free. Here’s who you are…

Tips for nabbing a bargain this Spring

The typically busy Spring sales season is upon us, so what does it mean with much of the country in lockdown? While listing volumes will likely be down during the lockdowns, the good news is we’ve seen advertised stock and sales activity bounce back remarkably quickly once…

Three finance strategies for purchasing your next property

Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing or just moving to a house in a new location, your situation has probably changed since you last bought. Here’s a refresher on some of the finance options available when you’re purchasing your next house and a few other key considerations. The straightforward approach: Sell…

The costs that may surprise you when buying a home

Besides the deposit and monthly mortgage repayments, there are other fees to consider when buying a house. Things like pest and building inspections, borrowing costs, insurance and legal fees all add up. The average Australian may pay more than $6,000 in unexpected upfront costs on…

How to compare home loans and features

Which home loan is right for you? How can you tell when there’s so many different lenders, loan types and features to choose from? How can you compare loans properly when you’re not sure what you should be comparing? Finding the right home loan for…

The search for your dream home

Buying your first home or investment property can be an emotionally charged process just like planning for your next holiday. Getting caught up in the excitement and easily distracted by the more gripping things like fun activities and what bikini to pack all while forgetting…

Smart ways to save for your first deposit

Owning your own home is one of the major life goals for most people. Saving for a deposit can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a number of things to consider to get you started and on track for…

Easing financial pressures: loan deferrals, refinancing and more

When COVID-19 struck, banks gave eligible customers an option to pause their repayments for six months from March, due to the volatile economic climate. Hundreds of thousands of Aussies took up the offer. Home loan deferrals were due to end in September, but banks announced…

Home loan formal approval process and terminology explained

There’s nothing like being formally approved by a lender for a home loan. It’s your green light to buy the property you have your heart set on. Borrowers who have taken the necessary steps in the pre-application phase will be in a strong position to secure the…

6 negotiation tactics for spring property buyers

Interest rates remain at a record low currently, and the property market is expected to heat up as we enter spring despite the economic challenges due to the pandemic. Listings are currently lower compared to last year, which means as a buyer there may be…

Take control of your budget

Getting your budget under control and your finances in order is absolutely essential to anyone looking to apply for a home loan, but it’s particularly important for first home buyers about to take the first step on the property ladder. Now the end of financial…

Countdown to settlement day: what you need to know

You’ve found your dream property, had your offer accepted, and now there’s just one last yet  very important milestone to achieve – settlement day. The anticipation has been building for weeks! Are you ready for the big day? Settlement day can be both exciting and…