A mortgage is a big commitment – and so is a baby. When you’re preparing to take on both at the same time, it’s a good idea to look at the whole picture and crunch your numbers. A new baby completely changes your life. Are you also prepared for how a new baby might affect [...]
A home loan is generally a long-term proposition, but in some situations it can make sense to refinance your mortgage. Read this guide to the refinancing process, and speak to your broker, before deciding whether it’s right for you. Refinancing involves taking out a new mortgage and using those funds to pay off your existing [...]
Everyone dreams of paying off their home loan sooner. Here’s how. 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 [...]
Confused about all the different home loans out there? This guide takes you through the main options. There are a range of home loans available in Australia, so it can be hard to understand their features and whether they are right for you. This guide explains all you need to know. Variable loans Variable loans [...]
Are you trying to work out the best way to structure your loan? Here’s a quick explanation of fixed, variable and split-rate mortgages. In Australia, there are a number of ways to structure your home loan repayments. Finding the best option may save you time and money on your mortgage. Here is some information to [...]
We look at some important things to consider when managing your mortgage during a relationship breakdown. Breaking up is hard to do. On top of the emotional impact, there are practical ramifications as well. When there’s a separation or divorce, debts you’ve accrued during the relationship unfortunately don’t go away. The longer a couple is [...]
White-label loans are much more than just a price-competitive product, but also focus on flexibility, service and quality. For those unfamiliar, a white-label loan is essentially a home-branded loan. Just like your favourite home-branded products you see in supermarket aisles there is more than meets the eye – the white-label loan is more than its [...]
Avoid common home-loan traps to learn which home-loan is right for you. Loans are by no means ‘one size fits all.’ Different loan types suit different age groups, different living situations and even different attitudes to money. A common trap some home-owners fall into is to consider a mortgage ‘set and forget’. You did your [...]
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 [...]
Ready to buy a property? You’ll need to show the seller you have enough money. For most people, this will mean getting a loan, and the first step to getting one is obtaining pre-approval for it. Pre-approval – also known as conditional approval or approval in principle – is an indication from a lender as [...]
