What’s the story with these interest rate increases? It’s a question at the front of everyone’s minds at the moment. Much like the rest of the world, we are seeing inflation starting to creep, this is largely attributable to supply chain issues from the pandemic and recent floods and the war in Ukraine. The...
Are you in the market for a new home? If so, you may want to consider buying a newly constructed home. These homes are brand new, have never been occupied before and they often come with all of the latest features and amenities. Depending on the developer, you may even be able to customise them...
If you’re in the market for some property, you may have come across land loans. But what exactly are they? And more importantly, should you get one? In this article, we’ll answer all of your questions about land loans and help you decide if one is right for you. So if you’re ready to learn...
What is rental yield? When buying a property, a simple formula can be used to figure out how lucrative the investment will be. This formula is called rental yield. Put simply, rental yield is a figure that’s generated by calculating the cash that is generated from a property by its overall price or market value. A high...
A guarantor is a co-signer on a loan that “guarantees” that the payments will be met. A guarantor is often used for mortgages, especially for first time home buyers. By using a co-signer, individuals have the opportunity to enter the home-owner market more easily and quickly, and it can reduce costs significantly. Below, we run...
Taking out a mortgage is generally a major life event, especially if it’s your first mortgage. When done correctly, a mortgage can bring huge financial gains, and be a great investment. However, before you sign on the dotted line, there are a few rules of thumb that you should consider to ensure that you’re...
What is a bank valuation? A bank valuation is an equation that’s used to determine the price of a property when a home loan is sought. A lender will use the bank valuation figure to calculate a loan to value ratio (LVR), and this figure will likely affect how much the bank will lend. By...
The general consensus is that being loyal is a good thing. However, when it comes to finances this isn’t necessarily true. The case in point is ‘’lazy tax’’. Lazy tax is the gap of extra money you’re paying for not being proactive with your finances. Credit cards, home loans, phone plans and utilities companies often...
If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that paying rent is a drag. Rent takes a substantial chunk out of every paycheque (or your savings account), and essentially leaves you with nothing except for a roof over your head until the week, or month, is up. The hassle of paying rent can...
Whether you’re taking out a loan for a big purchase or applying for a mortgage, weighing up who has the best offer can be tough. And, once you’re locked in with a bank, it often seems like a hassle to switch. But while the financial institution you’ve gone with might have hooked you in with...
