How can I safeguard my ability to pay off my home loan? It’s not unusual that life can be smooth sailing one minute and throw you a curveball the next. You might be hit with an injury or illness, a reduction in income or redundancy, a separation from your partner, or even a death in the family—all of which can be difficult, emotionally as well as financially. If you happen to owe money on your …
Home equity – the $500 billion resource for seniors The latest round of figures showing rising home values in almost all our state capitals highlights how many Australian retirees could have a valuable resource at their fingertips. Older Australians, who may not have enjoyed the benefits of employer-paid super for their entire working life, can face the prospect of a lean retirement. However, one area where over-50s often have an advantage over their younger counterparts …
Is it better to buy an investment property or home first? There’s a lot to consider when making such an important purchase, especially for the first time. Have you been saving up for a long time and finally feel ready to get into the property market? Maybe you’re considering either buying a home to live in or investing in a property you can rent out. Either way, it’s worth knowing some more about both options …
Can refinancing my home loan save me money? By replacing your existing loan with a new one, you could take advantage of a better deal. Even if you secured a competitive package when you first took out your home loan, it’s worth reviewing each year1 to ensure the interest rates, fees and features continue to meet your needs. With interest rates also at an all-time low in Australia2, now may be an opportune time to …
Where’s the best place to put your money? When it comes to deciding between super and your home loan there’s a lot to consider. If you’re paying off your home loan but you also understand the value in building up your super, you may find yourself trying to balance your present needs with those you’ll have in your future. So how can you straddle the short and long terms and give yourself the best of …
Time to upgrade your ideas about retirement living? A lot has changed in recent years, especially when it comes to your living options in retirement. Retirement living can offer much more than it once did. One thing’s certain: you don’t have to feel as though you’re losing your independence and freedom when you move on from the family home. Imagine your own precinct where you can get good coffee at the nearby café before a …
Should I repay my home loan or boost my super? Both options make good financial sense—we look at some pros and cons to help you decide. Retirement may not be as far off as it used to be. With this in mind, are you finding there’s a trade-off between home loan repayments and your retirement nest egg? Adding money to super has its advantages and so does paying off your home loan. So if you’ve …
Should you own the roof over your head? When it comes to the rent-versus-buy debate, like many of our clients you may be weighing up the pros and cons. You might be thinking that you’d love to buy a house but it all seems out of reach right now. Are you asking whether it’s still a good idea to invest in property at all? You’re not alone. In today’s housing market, many people are considering …
Am I better off renting or buying a home? – revisited About a year ago, we took a look at one of the biggest questions in property, whether to rent or buy. We now revisit this debate to examine whether the property market has changed over the last 12 months and how this might impact you if you were thinking about renting or buying a property. The debate continues If you’re following the rent vs …
Put your backyard to work Across Australia, the granny flat is currently experiencing somewhat of a construction boom. And it’s not hard to see why. Rising property prices, coupled with an ageing population, have resulted in an increased demand for multi-generational and multi-dwelling living. These popular and relatively affordable buildings offer considerable lifestyle benefits for homeowners. At an average cost of $100,000i, they can be used as a home office, a teenage retreat or even …
