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Flexible Financial Solutions

Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

The coming weeks will see millions of Aussies enjoy a well-earned getaway, and for some, a memorable holiday will inspire plans to buy a holiday home. But is it a good idea? And can a weekender still stack up financially? We explain what to consider plus tips to fund a vacation property. It’s that time of year when we lock up our home, load up… Read More »Thinking of buying a holiday home? Here’s what to weigh up

Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?

There are few better ways to beat the summer heat than floating in your very own pool. With a range of price points to choose from, a pool can be affordable, but will it add value to your property? And how will you pay for your backyard oasis? Fun fact: more than 3 million Aussies have a backyard swimming pool or spa. That’s about one-in-eight Australians,… Read More »Thinking of installing a swimming pool for summer?

Do you really need a building inspection?

Your home is possibly the most valuable asset you will ever own. So it’s worth taking precautions to help ensure you buy a place that has a clean bill of health, free from budget-busting hidden nasties. Even the most attractive homes can hide unwanted surprises, and it’s not always easy to spot a problem property. Arranging a pre-purchase pest and building inspection gets a professional… Read More »Do you really need a building inspection?

Can we expect the RBA to cut back rates this summer?

With just one RBA rate decision left for 2024, homeowners may be holding onto hopes of a summer cut. We look at when rates may start falling – and how you could possibly give yourself a rate cut before Christmas. “Are we there yet?” It’s the catch cry of kids on long summer road trips, and it could just as easily apply to homeowners waiting… Read More »Can we expect the RBA to cut back rates this summer?

How much does LMI really add to a home’s cost?

Saving for a 20% house deposit is like house training a wilful Labrador. It requires plenty of patience and persistence. Not your thing? You could take out lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). But how much extra does that cost? And can you avoid paying for it? (for the LMI, not the dog…) LMI is a type of insurance that protects the lender (not you or any guarantors) if… Read More »How much does LMI really add to a home’s cost?

How to nail a home loan if you’re self-employed

It’s the great Australian dream for many: giving the 9-to-5 grind the flick and running your own show. But when it comes to taking out a home loan, being your own boss can dish up some unexpected hammer blows. Rightly or wrongly, lenders tend to see self-employed borrowers as a higher risk compared to employees. That’s largely because, by and large, their income isn’t as guaranteed.… Read More »How to nail a home loan if you’re self-employed

What’s going on with negative gearing?

Negative gearing is in the headlines again. But what is it all about, and could it affect you? We explain how negative gearing works, why it’s so popular among investors, and why it’s attracting fresh attention. Australians love property. So much so that more than one-in-ten adults (2,268,161 Australians) own an investment property. So why is property such a popular investment? Well, landlords can earn… Read More »What’s going on with negative gearing?

How long it takes to save a deposit (and how to fast-track it)

Planning to buy your first home? It takes (on average) about five to six years to save a deposit at present. But who’s got the patience to save for six years? Today we’ll look at four ways you could fast-track home ownership. They say patience is a virtue. But the narrator/protagonist of the poem that coined that famous phrase was an idle vagabond – not exactly an inspiration for… Read More »How long it takes to save a deposit (and how to fast-track it)

Could rate cuts mean house prices heat up again?

Thinking of holding off buying until interest rates fall? Wait until you see what could happen to home prices. Here’s why it could make sense to buy sooner rather than later if you’re home loan-ready. September saw the nation’s official cash rate kept on hold once again. But there is growing consensus that the RBA may cut the cash rate at one of its next… Read More »Could rate cuts mean house prices heat up again?