First-home buyers in every state of Australia already had cash incentives to build or buy a new home but recently the stakes got considerably higher. When the federal government revealed its $25,000 HomeBuilder grant in a bid to boost the economy, throwing a lifeline to the home construction industry, it wasn’t designed to be used in…
The coronavirus pandemic has hit many Australians financially, through job loss and reduced income. If you were hoping to buy a home before the pandemic but now find yourself earning less, you probably think your chances of getting a home loan are next to zero. But this may not be the case! While lenders are…
There’s good news for first home buyers and owner-occupiers! On June 3 the federal government announced a $700 million housing package for Aussies to access $25,000 grants to build a new home or start a major renovation. What does that mean for you? As a first home buyer or owner-occupier, understanding what federal grants, incentives…
A building (or construction) loan is one you might apply for if you were looking to build a new home, or to make some major structural changes to your existing home. Generally building loans are written as a land and construction loan, where the borrower applies for a loan to cover cost of the purchase…
It’s not surprising that many first-home buyers keeping abreast of the latest property news are feeling the “fear of missing out”. Interest rates are at an all-time low, restrictions on public auctions have eased, and some homes have been discounted according to recent data from realestate.com.au. While these conditions can provide a boost for first-home…
Going to bid at an auction without getting pre-approval for a home loan first is a bit like going shopping without a budget or even a wallet. Here are four reasons you should always make sure you’re pre-approved before you raise your hand at an auction. What is home loan pre-approval? Pre-approval for a home…
Here’s what happened to property in April. The national property price index grew a slight 0.3 per cent in April against a backdrop of significantly reduced market activity and consumer confidence. Hobart (-0.1 per cent) and Melbourne (-0.3 per cent) were the only capital cities to record a fall in property values, according to the…
But don’t worry! It’s a good thing for most people. Previously, when applying for a home loan, banks and credit providers would only look at your ability to service the mortgage; so, basically, your income. That was before the introduction of Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR). Now, borrowers are assessed on their full financial history, including…
Your home loan repayment is most likely the biggest outlay in your everyday budget and it will continue to be for many years to come. Thankfully, there are ways you can potentially save on interest to help you reduce the length of time you need to pay off your home loan. But one often hidden…
Many first home buyers struggle to get into the property market. Here are some ways parents are providing much needed support. As the cost of housing has gone up, a growing number of parents are offering to help their children buy their first property. So, if you’re a parent looking to provide financial support to…