Educate Me

3 must-know tips to limit surprises on settlement day

Settlement day marks the long-awaited moment when you become the legal owner of your new home, and while it’s thrilling, it can also bring a few last-minute challenges. With the right preparation, though, you can help ensure a smooth handover and avoid surprises. Here’s your…

Why choose a mortgage broker to refinance?

Did you know that seven out of 10 borrowers use a mortgage broker? During the June 2024 quarter, mortgage brokers wrote 73.7% of all new home loans in Australia – the second highest result on record.  When it comes to refinancing, many borrowers choose to use…

Will house prices keep rising in 2025?

Amid cost-of-living pressures and mortgage repayment stress, there has been some good news for homeowners.  Property prices have continued to rise for months on end across the nation.   In October, data from CoreLogic showed property values increased by 0.3% nationally. It was the 21st consecutive month of…

Welcome to our November Newsletter

The busy spring selling season has seen many aspiring homeowners out and about looking for the perfect property to snap up.  Property prices continue to rise (up 0.3% nationally in October), but recently we’ve seen price growth slowing and the market cooling.   If you’re planning…

Welcome to our October Newsletter

As housing supply ramps up in spring, we’ve seen property values inch higher nationally, but growth has slowed. With prices coming down in four capital cities during the September quarter – Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin – savvy property hunters will no doubt be on…

Questions to ask during an inspection

When you’ve been scrolling through marketing photos of a property and you finally set foot in it at an inspection, it can be easy to get swept up in the moment. Home stylists can be very clever at making you fall in love with a…

Is now a good time to refinance?

Inflation seems to be headed in the right direction, but Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says a near-term cash rate cut isn’t on the cards. So, where does that leave homeowners wondering whether now is a good time to refinance? The decision as to…

Shining a spotlight on scams

We’ve all received them. A dodgy message about a missed delivery. A robotic-sounding phone call with some random request for information. Some scams are easier to spot than others. But scammers can be very clever at tricking people into giving out personal information. With generative…

5 things to look for in an investment property

Finding the right investment property for you is different from finding your own home. At the end of the day, the aim of buying an investment property is to make a solid financial return – whether that’s through rental income or capital growth. That’s why…

Welcome to our July Newsletter

With the latest inflation data coming in higher than expected, many homeowners have been left wondering whether the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will hike the cash rate next month. Even if the RBA doesn’t increase the cash rate, experts are predicting housing purchases to slow in…

Budget initiatives to help aspiring homeowners

In May, the Federal Government delivered the 2024-25 budget. It included several measures such as a $300 energy bill rebate and rent assistance aimed at easing the cost-of-living pressures on Australians. Meanwhile, with the government’s stage 3 tax cuts coming into effect from July 1,…

Welcome to our June Newsletter

Winter is here, and for savvy property hunters, it could be a cool time to snap up a bargain. The benefits of buying in winter are that there’s often less competition amongst buyers and you get to see the property during a less flattering time…

End of financial year tax tips for investors

Tax time. Nobody hears those words and thinks, “yay, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” But tax time can be rewarding, especially if you receive a tax refund at the end of it. It’s also a great opportunity to run through your finances…

5 ideas to boost your property value

There are many reasons to consider renovating, from making your property more liveable to driving up its market value and increasing the rental income if it’s an investment.   So, which renovations should you consider when looking to generate a return on investment? Here’s some inspiration….

Welcome to our May Newsletter

The weather may be cooling down as winter approaches, but the property market continues to sizzle. The April CoreLogic figures revealed house prices rose for 15 consecutive months across the country. The national median dwelling value is now $779,819. Sydney remains the most expensive place to…