A property can have 2 different valuations. A market valuation – This helps provide an indication of what the property may sell for. A Bank valuation is done by a lender to help determine their risks.

When applying for a home loan one of the important criteria a lender will ask for is a history of “Genuine Savings”. These are funds that you have gradually saved by yourself. It proves to the lender that you have the self discipline over time to save a certain amount. It helps them assess your capacity to make monthly loan repayments.

Investing in property should be about increasing your wealth and securing your financial future. Although it is often a less emotional process than purchasing a family home, there are many pitfalls and factors to consider when looking for a quality investment property.

If you have a new investment property, or a rental property that is vacant, it is a great time to make it attractive to quality tenants by taking care of some important maintenance details. You don’t have to have a big budget, but by taking care of some details you will attract better tenants and possibly a little more rent.

What Is A Mortgage Broker & Should You Use One? Mortgage brokers write over half of all home loans in Australia and growing.  It is easy to see why. Mortgage brokers do most of the legwork for you, saving you going to all the lenders and comparing everything yourself.  All you normally need to do [...]

Understanding how home loans are actually assessed will give you an advantage in getting yourself and your finances ready for a home loan. The 3 C’s of lending that you need to consider: Capacity Character and Collateral. 

| Home Loan Pre-Approval Explained If you can't get the money - you can't but the home. Before you start looking for a home to buy, you need to know if you have a lender/bank who will lend you the money.  You need to get a "Pre-Approval". First Things First FACT: Pre-Approval is not a [...]

Deciding on your mortgage type and different options is one of the most important, if not confusing tasks of purchasing a home.
One very important factor is to choose between a fixed or a variable rate loan.

| Lenders Mortgage Insurance (L.M.I.) - Explained L.M.I. is an insurance policy that your home loan lender takes out to protect themselves if you default on the loan. Lenders Mortgage Insurance is normally dependent on your “loan to value” ratio.  Put simply – Your deposit amount in relation to the property value. You can easily [...]

Everybody would like a lower interest rate.  It can make a huge difference and save you many thousands that you pay over the life of your mortgage. 

Your mortgage is most likely the largest burden to your budget.  It is a debt that, if you are like most people, you would like to have it paid off as quickly as possible. 

| Home Equity Explained If you have been paying off your mortgage for a few years, you will most likely have built up some equity.  Equity is the difference between the current value of your home and how much you owe on it.   Your equity is probably your greatest asset. Refinancing is a common strategy [...]