Andrew Stewart - Seek Financial

07/09/2026

Did you know, Australians aged 55+ can put up to $300,000 (or $600,000 as a couple) from the sale of their home into super, completely tax-free? The home generally needs to have been your main residence and owned for at least 10 years, but if you qualify, it's a great option for simplifying your living situation while giving your retirement savings a solid boost.

03/09/2026

Ever had a bank's valuation come in lower than what you're paying for a property? Here's why.

Genuine value is what you and the seller agree on - shaped by market demand and what you're willing to pay. Lender valuation is a separate, independent assessment the bank commissions to protect their own risk, often based on comparable recent sales rather than the sale price itself.

Why it matters: a lower lender valuation can shift your LVR - affecting your deposit requirements, LMI costs, or how much the bank will lend.

Try to build in a buffer when budgeting, and reach out to us early - we're here to help you navigate any surprises along the way.

01/09/2026

Wondering what to do if a smaller deposit is pushing your LVR above 80%? Here are a few options available to reduce or avoid LMI.

🏠 Save a larger deposit. Getting to 20% (80% LVR or below) is the most direct way to avoid LMI altogether.
🏠 Use a guarantor. A family member can use equity in their own property to help boost your deposit on paper, potentially avoiding LMI without needing the full 20% saved.
🏠 Check eligibility for government schemes. Some schemes help eligible buyers - including first home buyers, single parents, and other eligible groups get in with a smaller deposit and no LMI.
🏠Or factor it in and move forward anyway. For some homebuyers, paying LMI is worth it to buy sooner rather than waiting years to save the extra deposit - it comes down to your own goals and timeline.

27/08/2026

In an environment where buyers have more homes to choose from, and less urgency to make a decision, how can homeowners position their properties to get the best result?

Buyers have more homes to choose from and more time to make a decision, so how can homeowners best position their property to secure a successful sale?

25/08/2026

We've covered offset accounts, redraw, and repayment types. Next: LVR.

LVR (Loan to Value Ratio) is how much you borrow compared to the property's value. Buy a $700k home with a $140k deposit, and you're borrowing 80% - that's your LVR.

Why 20% matters: Hit 80% LVR or below and you can typically avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) - an extra cost that protects the lender if you're borrowing more.

Smaller deposit? You've still got options, including government schemes for eligible first home buyers.

20/08/2026

We've covered offset accounts and redraw facilities - two great tools for saving on interest. Next up: how your actual repayments work.

💰 Principal & Interest (P&I)
Each repayment chips away at both your loan balance and the interest. It's the standard structure for most families, and it's what actually gets you closer to owning your home outright.
⏳ Interest Only (IO)
Repayments only cover the interest, so your loan balance stays the same. It can ease pressure during a tighter period (say, on one income after a new baby!), but you'll pay more interest overall and face higher repayments once the IO period ends.

The bottom line: P&I builds equity as you go. IO can buy breathing room - but it's a trade-off you need to think carefully about.

19/08/2026

What is a redraw facility?

If you've made extra repayments on your home loan, a redraw facility allows you to access those additional funds again if you need them, subject to your lender's terms. It's a useful feature if you want to make extra repayments while still having some flexibility with your loan.

The important difference from an offset account is that redraw funds are part of your home loan, whereas money in an offset account is in a separate transaction account.

18/08/2026

Changes to CGT are prompting some investors to take a fresh look at commercial properties and new builds. Here are six things to consider before taking the next step.

Could commercial property, granny flats or new-builds outperform established homes? Here's what experts say investors should consider.

13/08/2026

What is an offset account?

An offset account is a transaction account linked to your home loan. The balance in the account is offset against your loan balance when interest is calculated.

For example, if you have a $500,000 home loan and $20,000 in your offset, you will only pay interest on $480,000, while still having access to your $20,000.

It can be a useful feature if you regularly keep money in savings or your everyday account, but it's important to consider the fees and features of the loan as a whole.

11/08/2026

The Reserve Bank of Australia has today decided to keep the cash rate unchanged at 4.35%, giving borrowers some welcome stability while it assesses how recent rate increases are flowing through the economy.

Inflation has shown some encouraging signs of easing, with annual headline inflation falling to 3.8% in June 2026, down from 4.0% in May 2026. However, underlying inflation remains higher than the RBA would like, with trimmed mean inflation holding at 3.6%.

You can read its full statement here: https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-19.html