Home Loans Articles

Are holiday homes a good investment?

Planning to invest in a holiday home? Consider its purpose, pros and cons, and how you can protect your holiday home against damage.

How to prepare for an interest rate rise

As the interest rate is arguably the biggest ongoing cost that can influence a home loan, preparing your budget for a rate rise may be useful in reducing potential financial stress.

What is rentvesting?

In this article we break down what rentvesting is all about, including what it means, how it works, and its pros and cons.

Which type of home loan is best?

There is no one-size-fits-all best home loan type. In fact, there are several home loan types available to suit a range of homeowners in Australia. 

Is negative gearing to blame for house unaffordability?

Negative gearing allows investors to claim any losses they incur on an investment property against their personal tax income and is often accused of driving up the price of property by encouraging investors to enter the market. Some economists have called for it to be abolished, and many blame it for Australia’s housing unaffordability.

How to invest in Australian property as a non-resident

Investing in Australian property can often prove lucrative for international investors, thanks to the high-quality lifestyle, and choice of locations. If you want to invest in Australian property, you’ll need to understand the rules and regulations governing non-resident borrowers. Before your application for a non-resident home loan can be approved, the government authorities will evaluate it.

Fixed vs variable rates: which is better, and can you have both?

Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing or purchasing an investment property, make sure you compare the best home loans on the market to see if home ownership is a good financial step for you.

What is a mortgage registration fee?

When you buy or refinance a property, there are some extra costs to budget for. As well as covering your lender’s upfront fees, there are government charges to consider, such as the mortgage registration fee, which covers the cost of adding the mortgage on your home to the land titles office in your state or territory.

How to make an offer on a house

Once you’ve been preapproved for a home loan, you can start house-hunting with confidence, knowing your finances are ready. Once you find a property that suits your needs and your budget, you can take the next step and make an offer. But what is the exact process of making an offer on a house, unit, or investment property? 

Interest rates on the rise: how to afford your higher mortgage repayments

The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked the cash rate again, so what can homeowners do right now to help give their budget some breathing room and better afford higher mortgage repayments?

The benefits of refinancing a home loan

If you’ve been paying off your home loan for some time now, you’ve likely thought about refinancing. After all, the chances that your current home loan is still the best option available for you may not be as high as you think. 

Should you refinance or negotiate a better home loan rate?

After you’ve held your mortgage for a few years, a question that often comes up is whether to refinance to something better, or to negotiate with your current lender for a better interest rate?

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a home loan

Unfortunately, many home loan applications are rejected for avoidable reasons, such as  unusually high living expenses, or providing incorrect documentation. Understanding what may lead to your home loan application’s rejection may help you to increase your home loan’s approval chances.

How to get started in property investing

Owning an investment property, done right, could be a potential path to build wealth and ensure a more comfortable retirement. However, not all borrowers who enter property investment do so successfully, with many selling within the first five years and giving up on their property dreams.

How much does it cost to break a fixed mortgage?

Choosing to refinance or repay a home loan during its fixed rate period often means the lender will charge you a break fee. The cost of this fee will vary based on how long is left on your fixed rate term and how much interest rates have changed since you applied for the loan. With break costs reaching tens of thousands of dollars in some cases, they may affect the overall value of your refinance.

Can I add someone to my home loan?

A joint application is one of the simplest and most common methods for two people to end up with their names on a mortgage. But adding a second person to a mortgage that’s already in place can be more complex, and will likely require refinancing.

What is a cashback mortgage broker?

Cashback mortgage brokers generally credit all ongoing lender commissions, in cash, to the borrower. These funds are usually paid by the lender on a monthly or annual basis for the life of the loan.

Checklist of documents needed for a home loan application

Once you’ve decided to apply for a home loan, the first step is to start gathering the necessary documents for the application process. While the exact disclosures required can differ from lender to lender, there are specific documents that are usually mandatory to supply while applying for a mortgage. Even if your lender requires additional documents, preparing the basics beforehand could save you considerable time.