Entries by Tracie

10 Ways To Get Your Home Loan Paid Off Sooner

Wondering how to pay off your home loan sooner? We look at some things you could do. Australian home loan interest rates remain at historic lows, and the opportunities for paying off a mortgage early are better than ever. Used in conjunction with low rates, here are some extra steps that can speed up loan […]

What are the extra costs of buying a home?

Application & establishment fees, stamp duty + more. When taking out a mortgage, many people forget to consider the associated fees and expenses. Here are some of the extra costs that you’ll need to consider when you take out a home loan. Home loan application fees Most lenders charge a home loan application fee. This […]

Seven Tips For Securing A Business Loan

Securing a business loan in Australia isn’t necessarily difficult but knowing how to navigate your way can be the difference between success and failure. Banks and other financial institutions offer a wide range of business finance options, from commercial property loans, commercial vehicle leases, and commercial and equipment leases, to simpler options such as letters […]

Rental Yields – What You Need to Know

Rental yield – essentially the rate of rental income returned against the costs of an investment property is a great indicator of a property’s investment potential. But you need to keep things in perspective when you factor it into your decision to purchase property. Calculating rental yield A good first step in examining rental yield’s […]

How to speed up your home loan approval

Asking how long it takes to get a loan approved is like asking how long a piece of string is. Every application is unique, so the time between your first contact with your bank or broker and approval can never be predetermined. There are, however, some things you can do to help hurry your application […]

Too loyal or time-poor for a better rate? Problem solved

Interest rates have never been lower.  However, finance can be so tedious. That is until you realise it could mean more money in your pocket. But how? For many, matters of personal finance are so dull and/or difficult, they are immediately filed in the too-hard basket. And for their trouble, or lack thereof, these people […]

Explainer: Fixed Rate Home Loans

With interest rates at an all-time low, and many lender’s fixed rates lower than their variable options, locking in an interest rate on your home loan to guard against possible future fluctuation may be attractive. However, it pays to know the ins and outs of fixed-rate loans before committing to one. When purchasing a property, […]

Delivering the Goods: Are our buying habits driving industrial property demand?

In 2020, many retail businesses have pivoted their models to incorporate delivery – as opposed to traditional ‘bricks and mortar’. Some businesses are switching back now that restrictions are easing, but not all. So how is this changing the commercial property landscape? The new, newer normal In a year full of uncertainties, there’s no doubt […]

Get Out Of Town: Are rural areas the new Australian property hotspots?

2020 has seen a serious slowdown in city property markets, but some rural real estate agents say they’re busier than ever. So, is this simply a result of the pandemic? Or a trend that’s set to keep growing after COVID-19 is gone? The fact is, most of us have spent a lot more time indoors […]

Around the Grounds: How COVID-19 has impacted on Australia’s property market

The RBA’s September announcement that the interest rate remains unchanged comes as no surprise. After all, RBA Governor Philip Lowe told parliament last month that he expects the current record low 0.25% interest rate to stay in place for three years.  Low rates have long-term implications, but in the meantime, let’s go ‘around the grounds’ […]