Bookkeeper Blog

As we head towards the end of 2024, let’s take a look at how property markets performed over the last year – and discover what the experts say may lie in store for home prices in 2025. 2024 has been a year of change, with property values and market conditions shifting across many of our state and territory capitals. In fact, the only constant has… Read More »How did property prices go in 2024? And what’s tipped for 2025?

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

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?

You’ve seen the perfect piece of land but you’re not quite ready to build. No problem – a land loan can be a handy finance solution. However, it can work a bit differently from a regular home loan. Here’s what you need to know. Not everyone wants to buy an established home or even a house and land package. Sometimes you just want to buy… Read More »Buying land to build on later: what you need to know

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?

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?

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?

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

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?

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)