Welcome to the Spring edition of Haven

As we emerge from the hibernation of winter months, I hope you’re feeling spring in the air in your hood.

Are you looking to refinance soon? With most lenders looking at your last three months of financial activity to access your ability to repay a loan, we’ve got some hints and tips to make sure your finances are looking ship-shape when it’s time to refinance.

Home price falls accelerated in August – three reasons why this property downturn will likely be different | AMP Capital

Home price falls accelerated in August – three reasons why this property downturn will likely be different   Key points Australian home prices fell another 1.6% in August and are now down by 3.5% from their high. Rising mortgage rates are the main driver and there is likely more to go. We continue to expect a 15-20% top to bottom fall in home prices out to the second half of next year, followed by a …

What does a COVID-19 Christmas look like in Australia?

What does a COVID-19 Christmas look like in Australia? Christmas 2020 will look a little different for many people, but there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family. With COVID-19 case numbers currently low in Australia, many of us are wondering just how close to normal our Christmas will be. Can we take an interstate holiday? Will we be able to visit friends and family? How many people can …

Should your investment journey start with property?

Should your investment journey start with property? When you’re priced out of owning a home in your neighbourhood, is property investing a good solution for growing your wealth? Will renting for the rest of your life cost more and make you more vulnerable? We talked to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Rebecca Fergusson, financial planner at Main Street Financial Solutions, about the pros and cons of property investing as a strategy for securing your financial future. …

Why real estate can deliver solid returns through different cycles

Commercial real estate is a unique asset class that acts and performs differently from other investment classes.

Understanding different types of retirement pensions

Understanding different types of retirement pensions We explain the difference between the government’s Age Pension, a transition to retirement pension, and an account-based pension. If you’ve heard the term ‘pension’ being thrown around, you may have picked up that there are many types of pensions available in Australia. We explain the difference between three commonly used pensions, including the government’s Age Pension, a transition to retirement pension, and an account-based (or allocated) pension, so you’re …