Up until a year ago credit reports for individuals in Australia worked on the basis that good news was no news. In other words, credit reporting only looked at the negatives, highlighting financial failings – such as defaults on loans and bankruptcies – without any acknowledgment of fiscal achievements. Since March 12 last year, amendments […]
A record 101,000 properties — or around one in five of those put on the market in Australia last year — went to auction1. And while clearance rates vary between markets, there is no denying plenty of buyers are willing to go head-to-head with the hammer. Onsite or in a room, auctions can be both
Whether you think it’s a necessary evil, believe it makes the world go round or wish it grew on trees — money is an essential part of life. Take our quiz to test how much you really know about your money and how it can work for you. Answers 1. TRUE. You don’t have to retire to
A tornado-strength storm in Sydney, flooding in Geelong and devastating bushfires in Western Australia and Victoria have reminded us once again how exposed we are to natural disasters in our wide brown land. Our geography has the capacity to deliver destructive floods, bushfires, severe storms, tropical cyclones and even earthquakes. While we can’t control the
With much debate in this election year about whether to scrap negative gearing to boost the federal budget, we thought it timely to look at the tax implications of property ownership in Australia. Negative gearing for investments Politicians have been divided for decades over whether negative gearing should be abolished. Negative gearing is when you
If buying or selling for the first time, you might be bamboozled by all the real estate jargon bandied about. Here is our A-Z guide to what it all means. ACCRUED DEPRECIATION The total depreciation of a property over a period of time. Usually the difference between the replacement value at purchase and its present
It’s a perennial question when it comes to real estate: should you sell at auction or via private treaty? Some sellers prefer the predictability of setting a price, while others are prepared to let their property go to the highest bidder. There is no right or wrong and each vendor’s situation is unique. We’ve put
“Flipping” might be the new word on the block but Australians have long been part of the reno revolution. Some are looking for fast returns (the flip), while others are upgrading after being in a home for several years. Whichever your strategy, chances are the goal remains the same: to renovate for profit. Here are
With the number of first home buyers in the mortgage market continuing to languish near record lows and property prices peaking 1, it’s clear first home buyers need a savvy savings strategy to round up a deposit. But getting ahead is often easier said than done. Life has to be lived and bills need to be
One in two Australian home buyers1 now borrow via a broker. A dip in sentiment towards traditional banks, tighter lending criteria for investors and better-educated consumers have all helped boost mortgage brokers’ popularity over the past decade. There are, indeed, a raft of reasons to turn to a broker for your next home loan. Here are
