So what’s been happening with interest rates? In the last year banks have moved towards two different standard variable rates which they base all of their consumer interest rates off (one for owner occupiers and a higher one for investors). This has been in response to pressures from APRA (banks’ regulator) to have the banks slow down investment lending (which … Read More
The case for renovating
To renovate or buy: that is often the question; especially in competitive property markets like Sydney. It’s not uncommon for people to buy real estate knowing all along that it’s a bit of a “fixer-upper.” When you purchase a place that’s in need of some repairs, it usually means you’re getting a bargain, and you can always go back and invest more money later … Read More
RBA leaves rate at 1.5
Today’s Reserve Bank of Australia Board meeting saw the cash rate remain at the historical low of 1.5%. With much conjecture about whether this is a good or bad thing for Australia’s economy and home ownership across the generations, and on the first day of a new financial year, it’s the perfect time to talk to your finance advisor about … Read More
What you need to know about super changes
No matter how far away retirement is for you, it’s never too early to plan for it. Especially given the result of new research, which shows that as much as half of working Australians retire with debt, and 20 per cent still have a mortgage when they stop work. The trend has largely been attributed to our current older generation being … Read More
Why self-managed super (SMSF) is about more than retirement
Think of superannuation and most of us will either get glassy-eyed and drift off, or immediately perk up and perhaps drool a little at the thought of retirement… But your super should be much more than the money that follows your worklife around, creating a much-ignored paper trail. And self-managed superannuation funds are often the best ticket to future financial … Read More
RBA leaves rate unchanged
Today’s Reserve Bank board meeting has left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent. While it’s news we have all grown used to, it’s worth noting that this month’s RBA decision comes just one week before the Federal Budget is announced, which is expected to be packed with initiatives to assist first home buyers secure their first home. So, … Read More
What low home loan interest rates mean for your future
Regardless of what the RBA decides at its monthly meeting, what lenders do to home loan interest rates, and what the economy looks likely to do both domestically and globally, your own mortgage future largely depends on… well, you. Pundits will always weigh in on what’s going to happen next: House prices, housing affordability, cash rates, bank lending policies, the … Read More
Rates remain unchanged… (by the RBA)
At today’s board meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 per cent. The banks, however, are another matter. The RBA cash rate has been relatively steady at an historical low for quite some time now. But if you have a mortgage, chances are your lender has increased your interest rate despite the steadiness of the … Read More
How to save for future investment options
Saving money and getting ahead financially aren’t hard things to do when you have a bit of sound advice up your sleeve. So don’t wait until you need a holiday or have a credit card debt to pay down to kickstart some good saving habits: Start now and reap the rewards with greater investment options, much sooner. Here are four … Read More
Everything you need to know about ‘rentvesting’
Are you looking to take your first step on the property ladder, but real estate prices are preventing you from buying a home in your dream location? You’re not the only one. The property market is booming in Australia, with data from January 2017 recording a 10.7 per cent year-on-year increase in home values across the country’s capital cities. This is great news for property … Read More