Australian house prices are now among the most expensive in the world: Sydney and Melbourne have historically led the way when it comes to pricey real-estate, but other states are now quickly catching up. What used to be an achievable goal for most Australians – to work hard and save hard to buy a home…
Pocket money is a great way to help teach your child financial management skills. It gives them a firm idea about the value of things, teaches them to save and gives them a sense of responsibility for achieving their own goals. It’s important for parents to remember that children take their cues about money from…
Understanding why you want to own an investment property will help you choose the right one to buy and decide what rent to charge. Unlike a home, buying the right investment property is purely a financial decision. So it’s important to think like an investor and understand the goals and strategies behind successful property investment. First, work…
You make your mortgage payment on time. You take pride in your home, with scented candles and remembering to change the oven clock when daylight saving ends. Good news: you’ve probably accrued some equity. That’s the difference, in dollars, between how much you owe (your home loan) and how much your home is worth. So,…
Tidying up your finances may just change your life. Here’s some tips to help manage your money in 6 easy steps. Clutter – we feel stressed just thinking about it. Especially when it comes to financial clutter. Accounts in disarray, a budget ditched or never attempted, credit card interest accruing and savings a hazy and…
Plenty of Aussies have been WFH (working from home) this financial year, so the 2021 tax season is going to look a little different! Especially since 2020 brought with it changes in income and government support, new home office expenses, and lower commuting costs. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has adjusted what you can now…
When you fall in love with a property, it’s possible to get carried away and pay too much. But a property report can help you strike a balance between your heart and your head. After dozens of uninspiring open houses, you finally stumble across a place that just feels right for you. And your imagination…
You’re excited to buy your own home. Finally, you can nail paintings in without fear. It’s walking distance from your best mate. It’s even got your lucky number on the letterbox. So why is applying for a home loan so daunting? There’s a lot riding on getting it right, and there are no guarantees. Our…
Housing markets around Australia continued to surge in May with CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index up 2.2% over the month. The rise in May was a stronger result compared with April (1.8%), but weaker than the 32-year high recorded in March when values surged 2.8%. We’ve partnered with CoreLogic to bring you the latest on…
It’s often said that after the death of a loved one or a divorce, moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life. And there may well be some truth in that. So we’ve put together some “Movers’ Mantras” to help you through the moving process, avoid being ripped off,…