Property
Smarter home loan strategies: Consolidate, add value and refinance with confidence
16 April
Managing your home loan effectively can have a significant impact on your financial future. Whether you’re juggling multiple debts, thinking about upgrading to a larger home, or considering downsizing, the right strategy can help you reduce costs,...[Read More]
Winter-proof your home: 10 smart steps to avoid costly insurance claims
9 April
As the colder months approach across Australia, preparing your home for winter isn’t just about comfort—it’s about protection. Winter weather can expose weaknesses in your property, leading to costly damage and unnecessary insurance claims....[Read More]
Preparing your home for retirement – Start 10 years early
9 April
Retirement is often imagined as a time of freedom, comfort and enjoying the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build. But one area that is often overlooked in retirement planning is your home. Where you live—and how well it suits your future...[Read More]
Building the right team when buying an investment property
2 April
Purchasing an investment property is a major financial decision. For many Australians, it involves committing significant capital, taking on long-term debt, and relying on the property to help build wealth over time. Investment properties can...[Read More]
The RBA conflict that could decide its next rates call
1 April
A conflict at the heart of the Reserve Bank’s mandate could determine the outcome of its next interest rates decision. Minutes from the central bank’s March meeting published on Tuesday revealed a split between the five members who voted for a...[Read More]
Confidence tanks as fuel spike flows to building costs
25 March
Australian consumers are the least confident they’ve been since records began, as high oil prices threaten to worsen the housing crisis by pushing up building costs. Motorists have already been feeling under the pump from petrol price...[Read More]
Adding value to your property when building costs are high
26 March
With construction costs rising sharply over the past few years, many homeowners are questioning whether it is still possible to increase the value of their property without committing to a major renovation. The good news is that adding value to your...[Read More]
Autumn maintenance: Protect your property before winter hits
26 March
As the seasons change and cooler weather approaches, autumn is the ideal time to prepare your property for the challenges of winter. A proactive approach to maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of damage, prevent costly repairs, and...[Read More]
Calm before storm: RBA braces for spikes and hikes
25 March
A slight easing in Australia’s headline inflation rate before the Iran war will do little to ease the Reserve Bank’s fears, as economists expect price growth to bounce back with a vengeance in March. Consumer prices rose 3.7 per cent in the 12...[Read More]
Three more rate hikes tipped as prices begin to rise
25 March
Mortgage holders could face as many as three interest rate hikes by Christmas, according to money markets, as concerns mount over the Iran war’s impact on inflation. Rates traders upped their predictions on Friday, pricing in almost 75 more basis...[Read More]
What to consider when buying an investment property
19 March
Property investment has long been seen as a way to build wealth over time. For many investors, the goal is twofold: to benefit from the long-term growth in the property’s value while also generating rental income along the way. While the idea may...[Read More]
Top bank wary of economic darkness ‘we have to have’
18 March
The Reserve Bank does not want to send Australia into a recession but its options to avoid one might be running out. Governor Michele Bullock has old reporters a recession could be a possibility if inflation proves too hard to get down, after the...[Read More]
Collateral damage: war threatens to blow up inflation
18 March
The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked interest rates for the second straight month, warning of more pain the longer the war in the Middle East drags on. In a split five-four decision on Tuesday – the tightest since the central bank started...[Read More]
More pain for mortgage holders as rates rise again
18 March
The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the second month in a row, following its latest board meeting. WHY DID THE BANK LIFT RATES? * The bank’s nine-member board voted five to four to lift interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.1 per cent,...[Read More]
Iran conflict raises spectre of triple RBA rate hike
11 March
Three of Australia’s four major banks predict the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for the second month in a row as fears that war in the Middle East will worsen inflation fuelled a drastic turnaround in markets. Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth...[Read More]