Dip into our inkwell…
…the place where we pool our thoughts on all things wealth-related
That’s the real decision you could be making when it comes time to choosing the payback term of a home loan of $500,000. Caught up in the excitement of purchasing a new home, few of us give much thought to whether the loan term should be 25 or 30 years. After all, it’s easy to…
The idea of co-owning a property with friends or family is a tempting option for Australians struggling to find a way into the market. But before you pop the champagne and celebrate your property purchase with a group hug, let’s look at the good, and the bad, of co-ownership. Here’s the good news. Co-ownership can…
An offset account can provide huge savings over the life of a home loan. Every cent of your money can work to reduce your loan because the balance of your offset is deducted from the loan’s value when interest is calculated. Let’s say you have a $500,000 home loan and $30,000 in a full offset…
Be a smart property investor and use these tips to make informed investment choices about your investment property . 1. Decide whether you’re in it for the short or long-term When do you want a financial return from your property? Do you want to buy and sell quickly for a short-term profit or will you…
You’re taking the exciting step and buying your first home. It’s time to apply for your loan, but you have a secret fear, that a lender may not be happy with your credit rating. After all, there was that time you maxed your credit card and a couple of weeks where you didn’t get your…
Property investing may seem daunting. But all it takes to get started is basic investment knowledge combined with expert guidance in securing finance. Whether you choose to invest for short-term or long-term financial gain, either prospect will take you one step closer to your financial goals. There’s a host of reasons why property stacks up…
Don’t set and forget your home loan repayments. One of the most effective ways to pay down your home loan faster is to make additional payments. Regularly paying a little bit extra or making lump sum payments will have a significant impact on lowering your loan. Check out this example: Five years into paying off his…
Open house inspections, you either love them or hate them. Spending your weekend viewing other people’s homes might have started out exciting, but now the novelty has worn off. Here’s a guide to surviving open home inspections and boosting your chances of making it across the finish line. Take notes and don’t skip the debrief After…
It’s not easy to predict the cost of stamp duty because the final figure depends on several variables. These include the state you live in, the value of the property and whether you plan to use it as an investment. In NSW you will pay around $32,000 on an $800,000 primary residence property, whereas a…
Paying the same amount in more frequent intervals can take some time and save money off your home loan term. Let’s take the example of switching to fortnightly. If you pay $2,000 a month that means you are paying $24,000 off the loan principal a year. If you changed your repayments to $1,000 a fortnight,…
