Entries by Tracie

Treat your investment property like a business and your tenants like clients

It’s important to look after the tenants in your investment property – it encourages them to stay long term and take care of your property. So how can you keep your tenants happy? By treating your property like a business and your tenants like valued customers. The tenant as customer The rental market in most […]

How to negotiate in a softer housing market

Seller expectations are high but buyers want low prices – what’s to be done? Two real estate agents detail how to negotiate in a declining market. After years of rapidly rising house prices, the recent slowdown took many people by surprise – not least those with a home to sell. “For a while we had […]

Changes for Property Investors

In a highly regulated environment, property investment growth can be slower. We take a look at some of the changes to be aware of if you’re looking at making the move into the market. If you’re one of the growing number of Australians exploring real estate finance and investments, it’s important you are aware that […]

How redraw works and why it’s a handy loan feature

It’s one of the less glamorous home loan features, but the redraw facility deserves a second look. Here’s why: The redraw facility explained A redraw facility lets you make additional repayments to reduce your variable rate home loan balance and save on interest. If you pay more than your minimum scheduled repayments, then you’ll have […]

What’s the answer if your mortgage repayment falls short

Whether you’re affected by fluctuating interest rates or or by a change in your personal circumstances, the pressure of maintaining regular mortgage loan repayments can be overwhelming at times. Here is some information to help you understand the available alternatives. What to do before it gets worse If you’re about to miss a mortgage payment or […]

How to Instil Financial Smarts in your Kids

Worried about your kids not mastering the skills to manage their finances as adults? These tips for parents will help children develop good financial sense from a young age. Most parents want their children to achieve the Australian dream of home ownership. The good news is that parents can actually play a key role in […]

Easy landscaping tips when selling your property

Sure, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a scrappy yard can be an instant turn-off to potential home buyers, even if the house is a dream on the inside. We’ve pulled together some savvy landscaping tips to make sure your home is picture perfect for when you’re ready to sell. The first […]

Why good tenants are more important than you think

Given you don’t have to spend much time with your tenants, you may think it’s not important who they are. If they pay their rent on time, they’re ok – right? Not quite. Good tenants can actually mean the difference between a high and a low-performing investment. In fact, finding a great tenant may be […]

Navigating a home loan when you are new to Australia

Mortgage brokers, loan pre-approval, fixed versus variable rate loans, stamp duty, conveyancing…..if you’re new to Australia, the language of home buying can seem mystifying. Here are some of the things you need to know to get yourself on the road to the great Australian dream. Keep in mind, however, that speaking with an expert is […]

Three questions to ask before you refinance

The home loan market is constantly changing, with new and attractive deals coming up all the time. Refinancing can help you secure a more competitive interest rate, access the equity in your home, add features (such as an offset account) or consolidate your debts, but there are some important questions to consider before you get […]